WILLEMSTAD (DA) — Andruw Jones took the microphone yesterday afternoon to mark his road to the Baseball Hall of Fame, using a press conference to thank Curaçao and the people he said helped shape his career.
The gathering was held at OMundo Restaurant at 5 p.m., with general guests, friends and ministers Sithree van Heydoorn, Gilmar “Pik” Pisas and Tyron Boekhoudt in attendance.
Jones said he did not have the opportunity to return to Curaçao on the day he was named for the Hall of Fame, but he announced his presence now to celebrate the honor with friends, family and people close to him.
He said the goal of the afternoon was to explain his path as a professional player through the local press and to thank everyone who supported him along the way.
“Without humility and hard work, you won’t get far.”
Jones also thanked his family, friends, acquaintances, coaches from his childhood in Curaçao, and the wider public. “My goal was always to be an example for other kids, so they can also dream of reaching the big leagues,” he said.
He said his achievements depended on perseverance, simplicity and dedication. He advised young people to choose a clear focus for what they want to achieve in life.
Jones said he intends to do something back for Curaçao later this year.
Sharo Bikker introduced Jones and said the road to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame is one of the hardest accomplishments in sports. Bikker said fewer than five percent of players reach Cooperstown with the perseverance, excellence and dominance required, and said Jones “finally” had his greatness recognized on Jan. 20.
In 17 Major League seasons, Jones played 2,196 games, hit 434 home runs, drove in 1,289 runs and scored more than 1,200 runs. Defensively, he set what Bikker described as a historic standard, winning 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards.
Bikker said Jones’ induction carries global meaning, noting the Hall of Fame includes players born across the world — approximately 277 outside the United States, including six from Cuba, five from the Dominican Republic, five from Puerto Rico, two from Canada and two from Panama, plus individual representatives from countries such as Venezuela, the Netherlands and Japan.
With his induction set for July 26, Jones is set to become the first Hall of Fame player born in Curaçao.
Asked about his best defensive play, Jones pointed to the famous catch he made in Philadelphia, saying he had many great plays but chose that one after thinking about it.