Thanks for the Memories: Part Five

Following the conclusion of the 1993 Richmond Braves season, Chipper Jones was called up to Atlanta when Major League rosters expand from 25 to 40 players. On 11 September 1993, he made his Major League debut at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego. Jones entered the game prior to the bottom of the ninth inning with the Braves leading the San Diego Padres 13-1 as a defensive replacement for Jeff Blauser at shortstop. He did not register a plate appearance or official at-bat. Three days later, on September 14, Jones registered his first Major League base hit, a seventh inning pinch hit single off of Kevin Wickander in a 7-6 Braves win over the Cincinnati Reds. He was not included on the 1993 Atlanta Braves playoff roster.

Chipper Jones came to Spring Training in 1994 to compete for a position in the 1994 Atlanta Braves' starting lineup. However, plans changed on March 19. During an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, Jones hit a ground ball to short and hustled toward first base. The throw pulled first baseman Jim Leyritz off the bag, and Leyritz realized his only chance to get Jones out was to try and tag him. Jones attempted to evade the tag and immediately fell to the ground. The diagnosis of a torn ACL came the following day. The injury caused him to miss the 1994 season.

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."

Thanks for the Memories: Part Three

Following his senior season at Bolles, Chipper Jones was selected with the first overall pick in the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves. Regarding that selection, Jones said “That was a day I will never forget, and one which marked the accomplishment of a personal goal for me. What an incredible honor. To be chosen as the first player in the nation to play the game that I love was a dream come true for me. Bobby Cox was the General Manager at the time, and I suppose I owe him a heartfelt ‘thanks’ for making me a Brave that day.”

After the draft, Chipper Jones and the Braves agreed on a contract worth approximately $400,000. The contract included $68,000 worth of college education, incentives for each level of professional baseball reached, a life insurance annuity, and a $275,000 signing bonus.

Following the contract negotiations and signing, Chipper Jones was assigned to the rookie level GCL Braves of the Gulf Coast League in Bradenton, Florida. Over the course of 44 games with the GCL Braves, Chipper Jones amassed 164 plate appearances and registered 140 official at-bats. Jones scored 20 runs on 32 base hits, one double, one triple, and one home run. He also had 18 runs batted in. Jones stole eight bases. He drew 14 walks. Jones had a batting average of .229, an on base percentage of .321, and a slugging percentage of .271. He amassed 38 total bases and was intentionally walked one time. Also featured on the 1990 GCL Braves roster were future Major League players Joe Ayrault, Mark Lemke, and Mike Potts. The 1990 GCL Braves finished with a record of 33-26.

For the 1991 season, Chipper Jones was assigned to the Class A Macon Braves of the South Atlantic League in Macon, Georgia. Over the course of 136 games with the Macon Braves, Chipper Jones amassed 556 plate appearances and registered 473 official at-bats. Jones scored 104 runs on 154 base hits, 24 doubles, 11 triples, and 15 home runs. He also had 98 runs batted in. Jones stole 40 bases. He drew 69 walks. Jones had a batting average of .326, an on base percentage of .407, and a slugging percentage of .518. He amassed 245 total bases and was intentionally walked four times. Also featured on the 1991 Macon Braves roster were future Major League players Tyler Houston, David Justice, Kevin Lomon, Mike Potts, Joe Roa, and Pete Smith. The 1991 Macon Braves finished with a record of 83-58.

For the 1992 season, Chipper Jones was assigned to the Advanced A Durham Bulls of the Carolina League in Durham, North Carolina and was later promoted to the AA Greenville Braves of the Southern League in Greenville, South Carolina. Over the course of 70 games with the Durham Bulls, Chipper Jones amassed 301 plate appearances and registered 264 official at-bats. Jones scored 43 runs on 73 base hits, 22 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 home runs. He also had 31 runs batted in. Jones stole 10 bases. He drew 31 walks. Jones had a batting average of .277, an on base percentage of .353, and a slugging percentage of .414. He amassed 109 total bases and was intentionally walked one time. Also featured on the 1992 Durham Bulls roster were future Major League players Tyler Houston, Brian Kowitz, Melvin Nieves, Kevin Lomon, Mike Potts, Carlos Reyes, and Brad Woodall. The 1992 Durham Bulls finished with a record of 70-70. Over the course of 67 games with the Greenville Braves, Chipper Jones amassed 285 plate appearances and registered 266 official at-bats. Jones scored 43 runs on 92 hits, 17 doubles, 11 triples, and 9 home runs. He also had 42 runs batted in. Jones stole 14 bases. He drew 11 walks. Jones had a batting average of .346, an on base percentage of .367, and a slugging percentage of .594. He amassed 158 total bases and was intentionally walked one time. Also featured on the 1992 Greenville Braves roster were future Major League players Brian Bark, Mike Bell, Pedro Borbon, Ramon Caraballo, Kevin Coffman, Donnie Eliott, Ed Giovanola, Pat Gomez, Mike Kelly, Brian Kowitz, Javy Lopez, Greg McMichael, Nate Minchey, Mike Mordecai, Melvin Nieves, Eddie Perez, Tony Tarasco, Scott Taylor, Jeff Treadway, and Brad Woodall. The 1992 Greenville Braves finished with a record of 100-43 and won the Southern League championship.

Thanks for the Memories: Part Two

During his freshman season at Taylor High School in Pierson Florida, Chipper Jones played shortstop and was also a starting pitcher. Due to his father’s perception that Jones was being given preferential treatment as a star athlete, he was enrolled at the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida for his sophomore season. Doubts crossed his mind as to whether he could succeed academically at Bolles; however, he soon made the honor roll. In the three seasons Jones spent at Bolles, the Bulldogs had a record of 65-19 and won the 1989 state championship. During his senior season, Jones batted .483 and had a 7-3 record, a .987 earned run average, and 100 strikeouts as a starting pitcher. Regarding his high school career and natural ability, his coach at Bolles, Don Suirano, said “As a sophomore I viewed him as a senior in high school. As a senior he was playing like a college junior. You knew he had a gift. He had the speed, the arm, the glove, the switch-hitting ability, the power. I think there are some kids born to play baseball, and I think God reached out and touched him.” Jones also played football and basketball while at Bolles.

Thanks for the Memories, Chipper!

Those of us who were fortunate enough to be Atlanta Braves fans during the 1990s and the early 2000s were nothing short of blessed. During that decade and a half, we were witnesses to fourteen consecutive division championships, five National League championships, and the 1995 World Series championship. During that time we were also privileged to see guaranteed first ballot Hall of Famers every night, in the persons of Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. In addition to those living legends; a number of All-Stars including Terry Pendleton, Ron Gant, David Justice, Steve Avery, Jeff Blauser, Fred McGriff, Kenny Lofton, Denny Neagle, Javy Lopez, Walt Weiss, Kevin Millwood, Brian Jordan, Andruw Jones, Andres Galarraga, Mike Remlinger, Gary Sheffield, Russ Ortiz, Rafael Furcal, and Jonny Estrada wore Braves uniforms. None of those players had more of an influence on the franchise and were more popular than Chipper Jones.

Over the course of his 19 year Major League career, Chipper Jones appeared in 2,499 games. He amassed 10,614 plate appearances and registered 8,984 official at-bats. Jones scored 1,619 runs on 2,726 base hits, 549 doubles, 38 triples, and 468 home runs. He also had 1,623 runs batted in. Jones stole 150 bases. He drew 1,512 walks. Jones had a batting average of .303, an on base percentage of .401, and a slugging percentage of .509. He amassed 4,755 total bases and was intentionally walked 177 times.

Chipper Jones was selected to participate in the All Star Game eight times; 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2011, and 2012.

Chipper Jones was named the 1999 National League Most Valuable Player, recieving 96% of the first place votes.

Chipper Jones won the Silver Slugger award twice; in 1999 and 2000. The Silver Slugger is voted on by Major League managers and coaches and is awarded annualy to the best offensive player at each position in both the National and American Leagues.

Chipper Jones also won the 2008 National League batting title with an average of .364.