OT: Andruw Jones vs Carl Furillo

RUdad

Senior
Jul 12, 2025
750
739
93
Jones was just elected to the Hall of Fame. Lifetime .254 hitter over 17 yrs. Excellent center fielder with 151 errors over career.
Furillo played his whole 15 yr career with the Dodgers, missing 3 years due to WW2. .299 hitter, winning the 1953 batting title with a .344 average.. Know as the Reading Rifle had one of the best & most accurate arms from right field. Believe Furillo had a few more assists than Jones while Jones had a few fewer errors. Which one belongs in the Hall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rob kight

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,395
16,240
113
Both , but I'd sat Carl's HR count gives Andruw a slight edge, with double the amount playing 17 to Furillo's 15
Jones also won 10 consecutive Golden Gloves
Carl played most of his career before the GG award started but was considered one of the greatest defensive right fielders at his position and was a good hitter for average and RBIs.

I put both as great D outfielders but give the edge to Jones for the offensive power and feel CF is a harder position
to play .
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,315
22,275
113
OP is building his case on batting average which is an outdated stat. Jones had the better lifetime OPS.
 

Doctor Worm

Heisman
Feb 7, 2002
30,315
22,275
113
If gold gloves matter so much, Keith Hernandez belongs. MVP, batting champion. World Series champion. Leader. 11 consecutive gold gloves most ever by a first baseman.
I suspect that Keith Hernandez is not in the Hall of Fame for the same reason that Barry Bonds is not. The difference is their choice of controlled substances. Memories fade, and the Veterans Committee (or whatever it's called now) will likely elect Keith at some point, as they did with Dave Parker.
 
Last edited:

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,395
16,240
113
If gold gloves matter so much, Keith Hernandez belongs. MVP, batting champion. World Series champion. Leader. 11 consecutive gold gloves most ever by a first baseman.
you also have to look at the HRs as a part of qualifying .
What's bad about HOF voting is great defensive players are overlooked too often by the Baseball Writers .
the Veteran's committee usually has some offensive players that were overlooked over defensive players that their offensive stats don't impress.
Keith deserves a spot but his position us considered a power one and the type of 1st basemen that have the best chance for HOF status have HR power .
One of my favorite first baseman was Vic Power and if D would get you in, he'd been in a long time ago
 

Rutgers Chris

All-American
Nov 29, 2005
5,046
5,906
97
Jones was just elected to the Hall of Fame. Lifetime .254 hitter over 17 yrs. Excellent center fielder with 151 errors over career.
Furillo played his whole 15 yr career with the Dodgers, missing 3 years due to WW2. .299 hitter, winning the 1953 batting title with a .344 average.. Know as the Reading Rifle had one of the best & most accurate arms from right field. Believe Furillo had a few more assists than Jones while Jones had a few fewer errors. Which one belongs in the Hall.
That error number jumps off the page as not looking right. Baseball almanac says 50 errors, that sounds much closer.

They both may belong in, but Jones dominates nearly all center fielders in so many advanced stats

 

Rutgers Chris

All-American
Nov 29, 2005
5,046
5,906
97
Gemini speaks to the different eras


Key Differentiators


1. The Defensive "Ceiling"


The primary reason Jones reached Cooperstown (Class of 2026) while Furillo remains in the "Hall of Very Good" is the positional value of Center Field.


• Jones is the all-time leader in Total Zone Runs for outfielders. His 60 career errors are remarkably low considering he led the league in putouts for six consecutive seasons; he was simply reaching more balls than anyone else.


• Furillo was a specialist in the "Sunken Garden" (Right Field) at Ebbets Field. While he had arguably the best arm of his generation, Right Field does not offer the same "range-based" WAR accumulation as Center Field.


2. Power vs. Contact Profiles


The two players represent two very different hitting philosophies:


• Jones (The Power Threat): His 434 Home Runs and 1,289 RBIs provided a high-impact offensive ceiling, despite a lower career batting average (.254).


• Furillo (The Contact Specialist): Furillo was a career .299 hitter (nearly reaching the .300 milestone) and won a batting title in 1953 (.344). He struck out only 436 times in his entire career; Jones struck out 300+ times in just two seasons (2007-2008).


3. Hall of Fame Trajectory


• Jones had a "Front-Loaded" HOF case. His first 10-12 years were historically great, creating enough "value credit" to survive a steep decline in his 30s.


• Furillo had a "Steady" case. He was a vital part of seven pennant-winning teams, but he rarely led the league in major statistical categories, making it harder to stand out on a crowded Hall of Fame ballot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MADHAT1
Feb 5, 2003
10,966
9,365
113
If Ozzie Smith belongs in the Hall, so does Jones. Best defensive outfielder since he debuted, and possibly of all time, plus a far more dangerous hitter than the Wizard. Jones had SO MUCH range, it was insane.

I am surprised he got in before Dale Murphy, though.
 

ru109

All-American
Sep 18, 2011
6,909
5,425
113
If Ozzie Smith belongs in the Hall, so does Jones. Best defensive outfielder since he debuted, and possibly of all time, plus a far more dangerous hitter than the Wizard. Jones had SO MUCH range, it was insane.

I am surprised he got in before Dale Murphy, though.
Ozzie Smith shouldn't be in. Don't compound a mistake by saying so in so is in so this guy should also be in. That being said I think Jones was a borderline HOF so him getting in is not a big deal IMO.
 

S.W.A.I.N

All-Conference
Nov 23, 2004
4,568
4,846
81
Ozzie Smith shouldn't be in. Don't compound a mistake by saying so in so is in so this guy should also be in. That being said I think Jones was a borderline HOF so him getting in is not a big deal IMO.
13 gold gloves and top 20 all time in steals gets you in. As it should.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MADHAT1

Kbe4

Senior
Nov 25, 2025
461
463
63
I never saw Furillo play and I really don't care at all about the Hall of Fame, but Andruw Jones was the best center fielder I've ever seen. Easily.
 

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,395
16,240
113
Ozzie Smith shouldn't be in. Don't compound a mistake by saying so in so is in so this guy should also be in. That being said I think Jones was a borderline HOF so him getting in is not a big deal IMO.

he is recognized as the greatest defensive SS of all time .

Too often we look at offensive accomplishments as the only reason a player deserves to be in Cooperstown

from googling

Greatest MLB Defensive Players by Position



Position
Player
Key Defensive Accolades
CatcherIvan RodriguezWon 13 Gold Gloves.
First BaseKeith HernandezWon 11 consecutive Gold Gloves, the most ever by a first baseman.
Second BaseBill MazeroskiConsidered by many experts to be the greatest defensive second baseman, holds MLB records for most career and single-season double plays. Roberto Alomar also won 10 Gold Gloves.
Third BaseBrooks RobinsonWidely considered the greatest defensive player at his position, winning 16 Gold Gloves and nicknamed the "Human Vacuum Cleaner".
ShortstopOzzie SmithKnown as "The Wizard," he holds the all-time record for defensive WAR and won 13 Gold Gloves.
Left FieldBarry BondsMetrics indicate he is arguably the best defensive left fielder of all time, particularly before the end of his career.
Center FieldWillie MaysConsidered the greatest defensive center fielder ever, famous for his basket catch, and won 12 Gold Gloves.
Right FieldRoberto ClementeKnown for his powerful and accurate throwing arm, he won 12 consecutive Gold Gloves.
PitcherGreg MadduxWon an MLB-record 18 Gold Gloves, the most by any player at any position.
Key Defensive Standouts

  • Shortstop: Omar Vizquel is noted for high fielding percentage and 11 Gold Gloves.
  • Center Field: Andruw Jones, known for 10 consecutive Gold Gloves, is often considered one of the best ever in center.
  • Left Field: Brett Gardner has been recognized for high dWAR
 
  • Like
Reactions: S.W.A.I.N

NBKnight

Heisman
Jul 8, 2008
24,650
15,559
61
If gold gloves matter so much, Keith Hernandez belongs. MVP, batting champion. World Series champion. Leader. 11 consecutive gold gloves most ever by a first baseman.
First base is not a premium defensive position, before the DH it was the position where good hitters played if they could not field.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doctor Worm

MadRU

Heisman
Jul 26, 2001
38,142
19,481
98
First base is not a premium defensive position, before the DH it was the position where good hitters played if they could not field.
Keith made it one.

Game on the line, runners in scoring position, I’ll take Hernandez at bat over Jones ever time in their prime.
 
Last edited: