Chipper Jones

Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones (April 24, 1972-) debuted for the Atlanta Braves on a September call-up in 1993, becoming the youngest player in the league at the time, but went on to become the second greatest Brave of all-time behind Hank Aaron. Only Aaron played more games and spent more seasons wearing a Braves uniform. Atlanta took Chipper with the #1 overall pick of the 1990 MLB June Amateur Draft as a shortstop. Jones blew out his ACL during spring training in 1994 forcing him to sit out for the entire 1994 season. In 1995, Chipper, who had played at various positions early on, won the starting job at third base after the departure of All-Star Terry Pendleton. Jones made the most of his new position as he batted .265 with 23 home runs, earning MVP consideration and finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year race. He also helped the perennial contending Braves over the hump as they defeated the Cleveland Indians in six games. The big, strong switch-hitter had his first .300+ season in his sophomore year and is the only Major League switch-hitter to average .300 or better for his career. The Atlanta Braves utilized Jones as needed as his career progressed; playing left field after the Braves acquired third bagger Vinny Castilla only to return to third two years later. He was a fan favorite, a favorite among teammates and a player’s player displaying not only an exceptional ability at whatever position he fielded, but as an ambassador of the game as well as through his community contributions. Chipper is an eight-time National League All-Star, has won two NL Silver Slugger Awards and in 1999 won the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award. He also took home the Players Choice Award, voted on by his fellow Major Leaguers. Though he has enjoyed better numbers at other times during his career, in the 1999 campaign, Chipper batted .319 with 181 hits including a career-high 45 home runs, scored 116 runs, stole a career-high 25 bases and drove in 110 runs. In 2008, Jones won the batting title as he hit .364 with a .470 slugging percentage. Over the course of his 19-year career in Atlanta, Jones has posted a .957 career fielding percentage with 1,771 putouts, 3,581 assists, 301 double plays and 243 errors in 5,595 chances. Chipper Jones ended his career with a .303 batting average, 2,726 hits including 549 doubles and 468 home runs, has scored 1,619 runs, stolen 150 bases and driven in 1,623 RBI. Chipper Jones was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2018.