When former Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones' Christmas morning went awry because of a violent altercation
In 2012, on Christmas morning, Gwinnett County police were called to Andruw Jones' Sugarloaf Country Club residence. The former center fielder's suburban home was the location of an altercation that occurred between Jones and his wife.
According to a police report obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the night before Christmas, Jones and his wife, Nicole Derick, held a dinner party. After the party was over, Nicole asked Jones to assemble a computer table for Christmas morning.
The two had consumed alcohol and had started assembling the computer table. Andruw Jones, however, grew frustrated while assembling the table. He grabbed Nicole's arm. After he did this, she pulled away and tried to go upstairs. But Jones pulled her back down by her ankles and attempted to strangle her. It was also reported that he said he wanted to kill Nicole.
"I want to kill you, I want to [expletive] kill you," Andruw Jones allegedly said to his wife Nicole Derick.
Happy Birthday to #Braves Hall of Famer Andruw Jones! ππ https://t.co/MQKvK6UQ96
Jones was released on a $2,400 bond on the same day the arrest occurred. Even though Nicole filed for divorce in 2013, the couple decided to give their marriage a second try and have been together ever since.
When the Atlanta Braves honored Andruw Jones by retiring his jersey number
Andruw Jones began his MLB career with the Atlanta Braves in 1996. He played with the team for 12 seasons and ended his contract with them in 2007.
While he was with Braves, he won five All-Star titles and ten Golden Glove Awards. In an April 4, 2023 Forbes interview, Jones discussed having his number 25 retired by the Braves organization. The center fielder said it was a great honor and discussed how thankful he was for it.
βItβs a great honor getting your number retired. You donβt think about things like that while youβre playing,β said Jones.
βIβm thankful to the Braves for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love. Being the first kid from CuraΓ§ao to have his jersey retired is also an honor. So many kids who grew up there watching me play and this will give them hope on what they can do in their careers."
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The Atlanta Braves will retire number 25, worn by legendary Braves outfielder Andruw Jones! https://t.co/U6Wzhqh7RD
Andruw Jones is one of only ten Braves who have received this honor from the organization. He is also a member of the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame.