http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110216&content_id=16656310&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
02/16/11 6:25 PM EST
Andruw thrilled to join winning tradition
His deal official, outfielder set to secure role with Yankees
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
TAMPA, Fla. -- When the old Yankee Stadium was approaching demolition, Joe Girardi walked to the spot where Charlie Hayes caught the final out of the 1996 World Series, one of the warmest memories from the manager's playing days.
Even though he'd announced his presence with two homers in the opening game of that Fall Classic, Andruw Jones had struck out for the first out of the ninth inning and was soon heading down the third-base tunnel toward the visitors' clubhouse.
Fifteen years have passed since Jones -- then a 19-year-old rookie -- made that long trudge to avoid watching the Yankees celebrate. Now, he will have the chance to see life from the other side, having arrived on Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
"When I was driving here, I was thinking, 'Wow, the manager is the catcher that I played against,'" Jones said. "That kind of made me feel really old. It's been a long time -- I have good memories of it. I wish we could have won it."
Jones, 33, signed a one-year deal with the Yankees that was officially announced this week.
He will earn a base salary of $2 million, with $1.2 million more possible through incentives.
"We've got a great team," Jones said. "The motivation is high over here, always. All they want to do over here is try to win, and that's all I want to do."
Girardi said that he will use Jones as a fourth outfielder, considering him more for use in left field and right field and as a power threat off the bench who could pinch-hit if needed.
On days when Brett Gardner or Curtis Granderson are given days off, Girardi said he would be more likely to put Jones in left and play Gardner or Granderson in center.
Jones played all three outfield positions for the White Sox last year, batting .230 with 19 home runs and 48 RBIs in 107 games.
"I look at him as a guy that obviously has a lot of skill," Girardi said. "He hit a lot of home runs in the [328] at-bats that he had last year and was pretty productive."
Jones said that he was able to learn more about making the transition to part-time duty, though he believes he can still be a full-time player at the Major League level if given the opportunity. "No doubt, I think I can go out there and play every day," Jones said. "The main thing is to stay healthy."
