Thanks for the Memories: Part Four

  For the 1993 season, Chipper Jones was assigned to the AAA Richmond Braves of the International League in Richmond, Virginia. Over the course of 139 games with the Richmond Braves, Jones scored 97 runs on 174 hits, 31 doubles, 12 triples, and 13 home runs. He also had 89 runs batted in. Jones stole 23 bases. He drew 57 walks. Jones had a batting average of .325, an on base percentage of .387 , and a slugging percentage of .500. He amassed 268 total bases and was intentionally walked five times. Also featured on the 1993 Richmond Braves roster were future Major League players Javy Lopez, Jerry Willard, Tyler Houston, Mike Mordecai, Ryan Klesko, Brian Hunter, Ramon Caraballo, Jose Oliva, Mike Kelly, Keith Mitchell, Tony Tarasco, Melvin Nieves, Ron Jones, Brian Kowitz, Bobby Moore, Billy Taylor, Pedro Borbon, Shawn Holman, Brian Bark, Mike Berbeck, Mark Wohlers, Randy St. Claire, Donnie Elliott, Mike Loynd, Carlos Reyes, Dale Polley, Brad Woodall, Vance Lovelace, and Marvin Freeman. The 1993 Richmond Braves finished with a record of 80-62.

Around the Richmond area, all discussion regarding the best minor league team to ever call the city home begins and ends with the 1993 Richmond Braves. In terms of star players, no edition of either the Virginians, Braves, or Flying Squirrels come close to the 1993 Braves. Before the season started, Chuck LaMar, who was the Atlanta Braves’ Director of Scouting and Player Development at the time, said that the 1993 Richmond Braves were “a group that comes together maybe once every 10 or 15 years”. Dubbed "The Great Eight", the starting position players for the 1993 Richmond Braves were all regarded as can't-miss prospects. Each of them went on to play at the Major League level. The 1993 Braves' opening day batting order consisted of Ramon Carabello at second base, Tony Tarasco in right field, Chipper Jones at shortstop, Ryan Klesko at first base, Melvin Nieves in left field, Javy Lopez at catcher, Mike Kelly in center field, and Jose Oliva at third base. The centerpiece of the team was a 21 year old Chipper Jones, who soon became a fan favorite at The Diamond. The pitching staff was particularly strong as well, with 14 of the 19 pitchers to wear a Richmond uniform in 1993 making it to the Major League level.

The 1993 Richmond Braves went 80-62, but could not get past the Charlotte Knights, who were the Cleveland Indians' AAA affiliate at the time. The Knights featured a 22 year old Jim Thome, a 21 year old Manny Ramirez, and several former Major League players including Sandy Alomar. Regarding the 1993 Knights, Braves manager Grady Little said that “We figured it up one time, just roughly, that the payroll in Charlotte was actually higher than some Major League teams.” The 1993 Kinghts won the International League's West Division by six and a half games over the Braves and later eliminated the Braves from the playoffs in the opening round.

Regarding the 1993 Richmond Braves, Ryan Klesko said, “What a great team. We had great teams coming all the way up (through the Atlanta system), and of all of the teams I played on, that was probably the most impressive."

Mike Birkbeck added that, "I just remember those guys being a whole lot of fun to be around. There was a lot of energy, and obviously, a lot of talent."

Manager Grady Little concurred, stating that "It was similar to managing a major league team. It was all fun when you have that much talent on a team. You know what they’re capable of doing each and every day."