It is June of 1990; enter a skinny, 18 year old from Pierson, Florida. 6 foot 3, 180 pounds, a kid who was named Florida player of the year. Little did anyone know, that kid would become the signature of the Atlanta Braves team. Bobby Cox made the decision that year and chose Chipper Jones as the overall 1st round draft pick for the Atlanta Braves.
Chipper began his lifelong career with the Gulf Coast Braves where he played 44 games in 1990. In 1991 he played for the Macon Braves as Shortstop leading the league with 71 double plays. He would later go on to play for the Durham Bulls and the Greenville Braves before making his debut in the Majors on September 11, 1993. That first game he went 2 for 3. Bobby had nothing but good things to say.
By 1996, Chipper Jones was playing 3rd base and becoming a shining spot on Atlanta’s 40 man roster after having a phenomenal 1995 season and winning his first World Series Ring. Since 1995 he’s been a part of 12 National Championship titles, Rookie of the year in 1995, 6 time All Star, National League MVP in 1999, 2 time silver slugger, 8 consecutive 100+ RBI seasons, 14 consecutive 20+ HR seasons, several player’s choice awards, the batting title in 2008 and a Legacy award in 2009. Chipper is behind only Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray on the all-time career home run list for a switch hitter. He is considered one of the game's best all-around hitters, and one of the best switch hitters in the history of the game.
What’s next for Chipper? Hall of Fame? Many have their opinions on that but ask any brave fan. No one is a better candidate. No one.
Chipper has always thrived off being the youngest one on the team. He gained strength from older players, learning from them, having role models. Spring training 2009 brought a new era for Chipper. He found himself being the oldest one in the Clubhouse. With that realization Chipper knows that his time is drawing near. Young players coming in to the game are now drawing off him.
Negotiations are now being made to keep that tomahawk on his chest. Chipper says himself that he probably won’t play past 41. That will give him a good solid 20 years in the game. He said he grew up in Atlanta and hopes to retire a Brave. So with sadness Atlanta comes to the realization that “Crazy Train” will be played for another 4 years or so, another representation of the good times gone by. He’s the last player left of the 1995 World Series Braves.
Chipper Jones has proven to be a leader in the clubhouse and a model to Braves fans everywhere. He’s Mr. Atlanta, the hero of little boys everywhere. Just as baseball and Apple pie are American signatures, Chipper Jones is an icon of the Braves. We want to keep him here, our true Brave.
Chipper began his lifelong career with the Gulf Coast Braves where he played 44 games in 1990. In 1991 he played for the Macon Braves as Shortstop leading the league with 71 double plays. He would later go on to play for the Durham Bulls and the Greenville Braves before making his debut in the Majors on September 11, 1993. That first game he went 2 for 3. Bobby had nothing but good things to say.
By 1996, Chipper Jones was playing 3rd base and becoming a shining spot on Atlanta’s 40 man roster after having a phenomenal 1995 season and winning his first World Series Ring. Since 1995 he’s been a part of 12 National Championship titles, Rookie of the year in 1995, 6 time All Star, National League MVP in 1999, 2 time silver slugger, 8 consecutive 100+ RBI seasons, 14 consecutive 20+ HR seasons, several player’s choice awards, the batting title in 2008 and a Legacy award in 2009. Chipper is behind only Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray on the all-time career home run list for a switch hitter. He is considered one of the game's best all-around hitters, and one of the best switch hitters in the history of the game.
What’s next for Chipper? Hall of Fame? Many have their opinions on that but ask any brave fan. No one is a better candidate. No one.
Chipper has always thrived off being the youngest one on the team. He gained strength from older players, learning from them, having role models. Spring training 2009 brought a new era for Chipper. He found himself being the oldest one in the Clubhouse. With that realization Chipper knows that his time is drawing near. Young players coming in to the game are now drawing off him.
Negotiations are now being made to keep that tomahawk on his chest. Chipper says himself that he probably won’t play past 41. That will give him a good solid 20 years in the game. He said he grew up in Atlanta and hopes to retire a Brave. So with sadness Atlanta comes to the realization that “Crazy Train” will be played for another 4 years or so, another representation of the good times gone by. He’s the last player left of the 1995 World Series Braves.
Chipper Jones has proven to be a leader in the clubhouse and a model to Braves fans everywhere. He’s Mr. Atlanta, the hero of little boys everywhere. Just as baseball and Apple pie are American signatures, Chipper Jones is an icon of the Braves. We want to keep him here, our true Brave.
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