Andruw Jones is making a comeback in the world of baseball, though not as a player. At 48 years old, he’s set to manage the Netherlands team at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. While some may question if Jones has ties to the Netherlands, it’s important to know that he hails from Curaçao, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Having previously played for the Netherlands in the 2006 and 2013 World Baseball Classics, Jones is stepping into a leadership role that could pave the way for a future managerial career in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Dutch team boasts impressive talent, including players like Xander Bogaerts, Jurickson Profar, and Kenley Jansen, and currently holds the No. 7 spot in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) rankings. This indicates that the selection of Jones as manager is not merely cosmetic; the team is serious about competing against formidable opponents, such as the United States and Japan, at the tournament.
In the last World Baseball Classic held in 2023, Team Netherlands finished with a 2-2 record in group play, which didn’t allow them to advance, but they have successfully qualified for next year’s competition.
Jones has begun to embrace coaching roles, including serving as the Hitting Coach for the NL Futures Team during the All-Star Week in Atlanta this summer. While having experience as a player doesn’t guarantee success as a manager, Jones’s trajectory suggests he is preparing for a future in managerial positions.
With some fans already looking toward a possible managerial change in Atlanta, where current Braves manager Brian Snitker faces scrutiny, Jones’s ascent could happen sooner than expected. This exciting development in Jones’s career offers a glimpse of potential growth in his journey within baseball.
Overall, Jones’s role with Team Netherlands establishes a new chapter in his baseball legacy, as he aims to bring competitive spirit to the World Baseball Classic.