Chipper Jones

Larry Wayne Jones, Jr. (born April 24, 1972 in DeLand, Florida), better known as Chipper Jones, is a Major League Baseball third baseman.

Related Topics:
April 24 - 1972 - DeLand - Florida - Major League Baseball - Third baseman

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Jones was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1990 amateur draft. He made a quick jump through the minors to make his major league debut on September 11, 1993.

Related Topics:
Atlanta Braves - 1990 - Minors - 1993

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After sitting out the entire 1994 season with an ACL tear in his left knee, Jones came back strong in 1995, leading all major league rookies in RBI (86), games played (145), games started (123), plate appearances (602), at-bats (524), and runs scored (87). He eventually went on to win The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award, and finished second in the BBWAA Rookie of the Year balloting.

Related Topics:
1994 - ACL - 1995 - RBI - Games played - Games started - Plate appearance - At-bat - The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award - BBWAA - Rookie of the Year

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In 1999, Jones won the National League MVP award after hitting .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI. Jones led the Braves to the World Series against the New York Yankees that year, in which the Braves were swept. He did, however, hit their only home run in the series, against Yankees starter Orlando Hernández.

Related Topics:
1999 - National League - MVP - Home run - World Series - New York Yankees - Orlando Hernández

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Following the failure of the Braves to win the pennant the past two years, before the start of the 2002 season, Jones announced his willingness to move from third base to left field to make room for the incoming Vinny Castilla. Jones proved adequate in left field, but following two more early playoff exits in 2002 and 2003 and a hamstring pull in the early 2004 season, he moved back to his traditional third base.

Related Topics:
2002 - Third base - Vinny Castilla - 2003 - Hamstring - 2004

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On August 16, 2004 Jones hit the 300th home run of his career in a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Related Topics:
2004 - San Diego Padres

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In an 11-season career, Jones is a .303 hitter with 330 home runs and 1108 RBIs in 1646 games. Today, he is considered one of the game's best all-around hitters.

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He is the only switch hitter in Major League Baseball history to have a .300+ career batting average and more than 300 home runs. Mickey Mantle, arguably the best switch hitter of all time, ended his career with a .298 batting average.

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Jones has emerged as a team leader in recent years and is well-respected in the clubhouse.

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