After decades of waiting, two of the most beloved figures in Atlanta Braves history, Andruw Jones and Dale Murphy, now stand at a pivotal moment in their journey toward the Hall of Fame. Their candidacies—one by the writers’ ballot and the other by the Era Committee—have ignited hope and emotion across the Braves community that this winter could redefine the franchise’s legacy in Cooperstown.
Andruw Jones: On the Cusp of Writer-Elected Glory
Andruw Jones (the main character in the BBWAA vote) is closer than ever to securing his spot on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) ballot.
- Pivotal Year: Jones will enter his ninth year of eligibility on the BBWAA ballot for the Class of 2026.
- The Trajectory: In the 2025 voting, Jones received 66.2% of the vote, marking a crucial 4.6-point bump from the previous year. He now needs only 8.8% more votes to reach the 75% threshold required for induction.
- The Case: Jones’ case remains one of the most unique in modern history: he combined elite defense (10 consecutive Gold Gloves, the most ever by a center fielder) with elite power (434 career home runs). His incredible defensive WAR from 1998-2007 (24.2) significantly outpaced contemporaries like Scott Rolen and Iván Rodríguez, making him arguably the best defensive center fielder of his era.
- The Expectation: With only two years of eligibility remaining after 2026, most insiders predict Jones will be a “shoo-in” either this year or next, driven by the increasing appreciation for defensive dominance among voters.
Dale Murphy: The Contemporary Era Committee Chance
Dale Murphy (the co-star and face of 1980s Braves baseball) is once again in the spotlight, having been selected for consideration by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.
- The Opportunity: The 16-member committee, which focuses on players whose primary contributions came after 1980, will announce its results on December 7, 2025. Murphy needs to receive votes on 75% of the ballots (12 votes) to gain entry into the Class of 2026.
- The Case: Murphy’s candidacy is built on an incredible peak of performance, which included back-to-back NL MVP Awards (1982-83), five consecutive Gold Gloves, and four Silver Sluggers. His 308 home runs were the second-most in the 1980s. He is often cited as the only player from the 1980s top ten in bWAR who is not currently in the Hall of Fame.
- The Emotion: Murphy’s reputation for integrity, leadership, and clean play—the “wholesome, milk-drinking superstar” of the “Generation Murph” era—adds a significant emotional weight to his case, especially with strong public campaigns advocating for his induction.
Should both men gain entry, the joint induction of the greatest star of the 1980s and the greatest defensive star of the 1990s/2000s would be an unprecedented, emotional event for the Braves franchise.
The Braves community is focused on Cooperstown, but the current front office is focused on 2026. Would you like the latest update on the Braves’ pursuit of starting pitcher Joe Ryan to solidify their rotation?
