Will the real Andruw Jones please stand up?

I owe Andruw Jones an apology.

In April, I attended the Toronto Blue Jays’ home opener against the Chicago White Sox. I found myself snickering after Jones’ name was announced during the player introductions. I couldn’t believe the White Sox were willing to take a chance on a player who was clearly not the athlete he use to be.

This wasn’t the Andruw Jones of old. This wasn’t the 10-time Gold Glove winner with five seasons of 100-plus RBI and over 30 home runs in seven of them.

This was the Andruw Jones who was playing for his fourth team in four years. This was the player who only appeared in 82 games last season and 75 games in 2008. This was the man who signed a one-year, $500,000 deal with Chicago; a far cry from the $14 million contract he received in 2007 from the Atlanta Braves.

There was no way Jones was going to help the White Sox, I concluded.

But Jones proved me wrong.

That night, he went 3-for-4, with two home runs and four RBI. The veteran outfielder was instrumental in Chicago’s 8-7 extra-inning victory over Toronto.

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As it turns out, this wasn’t a one-night special.

As of May 21, Jones ranked seventh among American League hitters for home runs (9) and 14th in slugging percentage (.531). Through 32 games, the 33-year-old had hit .239 (down slightly from earlier in the month) with 19 RBI. Add to that 18 walks and seven stolen bases and Jones’ recent productivity has easily made him an early contender for the AL’s Comeback Player of the Year award.

So what is Jones doing differently this year?

For starters, it appears he has changed his dietary and exercise habits.

“He really is noticeably slimmer,” says Larry of South Side Sox. “It’s helping him at the plate, where he seems to be able to make better contact. It also makes him an asset in the field.”

Jones was originally brought in as a designated hitter. But as Larry points out, the former Gold Glove recipient has spent plenty of time in Chicago’s outfield.

So far, Jones has played six games in left field, five in center and 12 in right. He also appeared in nine games as the DH and used twice as a pinch hitter.

Despite missing a few games with a stiff neck, Jones has become a fixture in manager Ozzie Guillen’s lineup. However, his surprising efficiency – including 38 putouts out of 40 total chances – has been one of the few bright spots for the White Sox this season.

Going into June, Chicago (22-28) sits in third place in the AL Central division, 8.5 games out of first place (held by the Minnesota Twins) and nine games behind the wild card leading New York Yankees.

Although he’s putting up respectable numbers, it’s clear the White Sox cannot just rely on Jones to turn their year around.

Meanwhile, one has to wonder if Jones can be consistent with his production. Larry feels Jones will stay productive, but not at this current level.

“He got off to a fast start with the Texas Rangers last season, so there’s reason to be skeptical,” says Larry. “His average will come down and his slugging will decline quite a bit. But coupled with his ability to still play defense, he looks like he’ll be productive for the rest of the season. A bargain at $500,000, plus $1 million in incentives.”

It’s impossible to predict the future. There’s no way of knowing whether Jones will maintain his surprising effectiveness or if he will sink back into obscurity. Like many baseball fans, I will sit back and wait for the final outcome.

In the meantime, there is one thing I will do:

Andruw Jones, I’m sorry.

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