Braves News World

Andruw Jones has been named the National League recipient of the 2005 Hank Aaron award. The award honors the best overall hitter in each league as determined by fan balloting. Jones led the majors with 51 home runs and led the National League with 128 RBI. He received 30% of the National League vote for the award. The Braves center fielder was also selected as 2005 Major League Baseball Player of the Year by The Sporting News. Jones received the most votes from the 498 MLB players who voted for the annual award.

Addendum: The beat goes on with the following honors being bestowed upon Jones in recent weeks: 2005 NL Silver Slugger award, 2005 Players Choice MLB Player of the Year, and 2005 Players Choice National League’s Outstanding Player.

John Smoltz was named the 2005 recipient of the Roberto Clemente award before Game 3 of the World Series, beating out 29 other nominees (1 from each team). The award is presented annually to the player who best combines outstanding play on the field and dedicated service in their community. Smoltz called the award the “greatest honor of [his] career". Among Smoltz’s charitable efforts are the “John and Dyan Smoltz Foundation", which was established in 1997, and his “Strike Out Hunger” campaign which has raised more than $300,000 for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Smoltz also participates as an instructor in the annual John Smoltz Baseball Camp.