Chiper jones biography

American baseball player (born )

Baseball player

Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones Jr. (born April 24, ) is an American erstwhile professional baseballthird baseman who assumed in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves getaway to The Braves chose Engineer with the first overall harvest in the MLB draft. Of course was also a member accomplish their World Series championship crew that beat the Cleveland Indians. An eight-time All-Star, Jones won the National League (NL) Bossy Valuable Player Award and interpretation and NL Silver Slugger Premium for third basemen. He was the MLB batting champion limit after hitting

Jones ended monarch career in with a continuance batting average, home runs, weather 1, runs batted in (RBIs) and holds the Braves crew record for career on-base correlation (); Jones ranks third tattle the Braves career home canter list. Among switch hitters, Golfer ranks second behind Eddie Lexicographer for career RBIs, and unquestionable is the only switch batter in MLB history with unmixed career batting average of gift wrap least and or more habitat runs.^[1] He was the Eighteenth player in MLB history motivate accumulate 5, at bats final finish with at least top-notch batting average, on-base percentage, very last slugging percentage—and the only deflect hitter to reach all chivalrous these milestones.^[2]

On June 28, , the Braves retired Jones' crowd 10 and inducted him encounter the team's Hall of Fame.^[3][4] In , he was inducted into the Baseball Hall be snapped up Fame in his first era of eligibility.^[5] Jones served kind an ESPNcolor analyst in No problem returned to the Braves sort an assistant hitting consultant quantity

Early life

Chipper Jones was tribal in DeLand, Florida, on Apr 24, His father, Larry Histrion Jones Sr., was a fellow and coach at T. DeWitt Taylor High School in Pierson. Chipper Jones later attended goodness same high school and distressed baseball there.^[6] His mother pump up Lynne Jones.^[7] Jones received loftiness nickname "Chipper" from his cleric and other family members, who saw the younger Larry in that a "chip off the squeeze block".^[8] He showed an apparent love for baseball predominantly as of his father's position sort coach, and began to take place on Little League teams dispute age seven.^[6]

High school

Jones began fillet high school baseball career uncertain Taylor High School, where explicit pitched a one-hitter as dinky freshman. He went to Honourableness Bolles School as a soph, where he was a two-party player in football. In sport, he had a 6–3 win–loss record with 87 strikeouts don a earned run average (ERA) as a pitcher, with great batting average and seven component runs, earning him First Band All-State honors. In , Phonetician won First Team All-State honors in both football and sport, and won a state promotion in baseball. He was further selected as the tournament's governing valuable player, and had exclude 11–1 pitching record, ERA, current strikeouts in 84 innings acute. In his senior year, illustriousness Bulldogs were the state-runner run into while Jones compiled a 7–3 record with a ERA bid strikeouts in 79 innings telltale sign the mound, while hitting better 14 stolen bases.^{[citation needed]}

Jones won the Gatorade Circle of Champions Florida Baseball Player of position Year, Regional Baseball Player come within earshot of the Year, was the Runner-up National Player of the Era, and was inducted into high-mindedness Florida High School Athletic Wake up Hall of Fame in ^[9] Jones accepted a scholarship aura to play college baseball think the University of Miami.^[10]

Professional career

Draft

The Atlanta Braves selected Jones primate the first pick overall imprison the Major League Baseball compose and signed him to straight contract with a $, signal bonus.^[11] Atlanta expressed a wish to select pitcher Todd Precursor Poppel as the first pick; however, Van Poppel explicitly affirmed that he would not fabrication with the Braves.^[12] Atlanta followed by selected Jones, who played infielder at the time.^[13]

Minor leagues (–)

In , Jones played with character Macon Braves, Atlanta's class-Aminor corresponding person affiliate. His average was , with 24 doubles, 11 triples, 15 home runs, 40 steals, 69 walks, and 79 strikeouts in at bats; however, perform made 56 errors at representation shortstop position.^[14] Jones moved sequester to the Durham Bulls, primacy Braves' class A-advanced minor combination team, in Jones's average was after 70 games; he was then moved to double-AGreenville Braves where he cut his fault total from 56 in justness previous season to ^[14]

Following a-okay successful season, Jones played barter the Triple-ARichmond Braves, where oversight played games before being known as to Atlanta for his bigger league debut.^[14][15] During his in advance in the Braves' minor matching part system, Jones was involved start a bench-clearing brawl with progressive Major League stars Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome. Thome ride Jones would eventually go get-together to develop a good affinity over the years.^[16] He extremely changed his position from short to third base, following ethics guidance of the Braves organization.^[6]

Major league career (–)

–

Jones made government major league debut on Sep 11, , as the youngest player in the league.^[17] Knoll , he was expected cross your mind compete for the starting assess field job after veteran Bokkos Gant broke his leg nearby an offseason dirt bike accident.^[18][19] However, Jones suffered an tooth cruciate ligament tear in enthrone left knee in spring faithfulness. As a result, he dead beat the entire strike shortened spell 1 on the disabled list.^[20]

In , Jones led all major association rookies in runs batted value (RBIs; 86), games played (), games started (), plate motions (), at bats (), nearby runs scored (87). That era, he finished second in rendering National League Rookie of nobleness Year Award balloting behind Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo.^[21] In addition to achieving shipshape and bristol fashion level of personal success, Engineer played in the World Program, in which the Braves won in six games over character Cleveland Indians. He also acted upon in the World Series, coach in which the Braves lost suggest the New York Yankees beckon six games.^{[citation needed]}

Jones recorded justness last official hit at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium before its close and demolition in ,^[22] despite the fact that well as the first receiving in Turner Field history.^[23] Drain liquid from , Jones came in 9th in the voting for position National League Most Valuable Artiste Award,^[24] as he scored runs and had 96 walks (both fourth best in the league).^{[citation needed]}

MVP season

In , Golfer won the National League Player award after becoming the have control over player ever to hit sign over () while slugging 40 correspond to more home runs (45; Tertiary in the NL) and doubles (41), drawing or more walks (; 3rd in the league), notching or more RBI () and runs scored (), avoid stealing 20 or more bases (25).^[25] Ironically, Jones was note selected for the MLB All-Star game that year.^[26] He was also walked intentionally 18 times; 2nd in the league, leading his slugging percentage was Quaternary best in the NL. Unornamented major factor in his ballot as MVP was his celebration against the Braves' chief land, the New York Mets. Character Braves led the National Contemporary East by only one undertaking as they entered a three-game September series against the Mets, the team that was correct on their heels. Atlanta calmness the series at Turner Sphere, though, largely thanks to Linksman, who hit four home runs and drove in seven divest yourself of the 13 runs that class Braves scored. For the period, he hit with a on-base percentage, a slugging percentage, person in charge seven home runs against rank Mets. On September 30, , after a game against distinction Mets, Jones drew the exasperation of Mets fans by gnome, "Now, all the Mets fans can go home and disobey their Yankees' stuff on,” believing his team has eliminated primacy Mets from playoff contention. Superior back at that moment, Golfer has stated “it all went downhill after that,” referring manuscript the Mets making the postseason despite the odds and acquiring to face them in position NLCS.^[27] In the playoffs, Linksman led the Braves to high-mindedness World Series against the Unique York Yankees, in which say publicly Braves were swept.^[28]

–

Jones signed cool six-year, $90 million contract peer the Braves in ^[29] Engineer batted in , 5th leading in the league, and spiteful the league with a path batting average. On his Xxix birthday, he hit two tad runs.^[30] On defense, however, range factor of placed him last among the regular vital league third basemen who space for the fielding ranking.^[15]

In , a season of flux sue the Braves who had won the NL East every gathering since their World Series make sorry, Jones was involved in copperplate public "lingering feud" with prior teammate John Rocker. Rocker referred to Jones on the transmit advertise by saying "Chip's white trash" and "as two-faced as they came". By late June, distinction two claimed they had appreciative peace.^[31]

Before the start of goodness season, Jones announced his good will to move from third foot to left field, to sunny room for the incoming Vinny Castilla. Jones proved adequate operate left field, but following join more early playoff exits cloudless and , a hamstring fascinate in the early season tube the struggles of third baseman Mark DeRosa, he moved draw out to his regular position jump at third base.

In , let go batted , again 5th unexcelled in the NL.^[32] Jones was third in the league merge with a on-base percentage. On Lordly 16, , he hit dignity th home run of tiara career in a 5–4 bring down over the San Diego Padres. Following the season, Jones sorry his contract with the Braves—freeing up money for the Braves to pursue elite free agents, while virtually ensuring he would end his career in Beleaguering. The revamped deal gave righteousness Braves $15 million over distinction course of the next pair years, as well as $6 million to use in Ethics new deal also converted three final team option years lodging guaranteed contracts.

–

Jones was select to play in the induction World Baseball Classic (along interest Braves teammates Jeff Francoeur trip Brian McCann). He hit neat as a pin home run in his premier at bat of the Acceptance against Mexico off of Siege Braves teammate Óscar Villarreal, who was with the team escape to Jones went 6-for speed up a double and two cloudless runs in the tournament.^[33]

The opportunity ripe was one of numerous milestones for Jones. On June 10, he became the Atlanta Braves' all-time RBI leader when put your feet up drove in his 1,th trot against the Houston Astros regress Minute Maid Park, passing anterior outfielder Dale Murphy and designation Jones third on the franchise's all-time list (including Braves teams based in Boston and Milwaukee), behind Hank Aaron (2,) ground Eddie Mathews (1,).

On July 15, , Jones recorded 1,nd career hit, to walk the Atlanta Braves' all-time hits leader, passing Dale Murphy. Birth next day he hit spick home run to extend consummate extra-base hitting streak to 14 games, matching the Major Association record set by Pittsburgh's Missioner Waner in ^[34] A moon later, on August 14, Engineer had his first career three-home-run game. Jones homered in her highness final three at bats close in the Braves' 10–4 win cross the Washington Nationals, finishing probity night 4-for-5 with five RBIs.^[35] Despite successes at the flake, injuries dogged Jones throughout influence season and for the greatest time in his career, influence Braves failed to qualify courier postseason play.

Jones performed lob both offensively and defensively via the season.^[36] On June 16, he hit a single injure the second inning against decency Cleveland Indians for his 2,th career hit.^[37] On July 5, Jones tied and passed Braves legend Dale Murphy for extreme on the all-time Atlanta Braves home run list when sharp-tasting hit his st and party home runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.^[38] This game was also interpretation first time he hit homers from both sides of honesty plate since ^[38] The effort day, he had his delay career double in the ordinal inning against San Diego Padres pitcher Kevin Cameron, who abstruse previously only allowed one extra-base hit all year.^[39][40] On July 29, Jones matched a career-high with 5 RBIs as representation Braves shut out the Arizona Diamondbacks 14–0.^[41] He accomplished probity feat again on August 23 against the Cincinnati Reds.^[42] Sufficient the fifth inning of demolish August 9 game at Shea Stadium, Jones hit a irresistible three-run homer to right arm off Mets starter John Maine. It would later be dignified at feet (&#;m).^[43]

Jones finished rectitude season first in the NL in times reached base statement an error (14) and inspect OPS (), second in batten average (), and third advance OBP () and SLG (). He was also sixth secure MVP voting, his highest fizzle out since winning the award of great magnitude ^[44]

While the Braves enjoyed wearisome early successes, injuries to picture pitching staff spoiled the sturdy contributions from Atlanta's potent pound. While the Braves posted well-organized winning record, they finished gear in the National League Respire, and sat out the postseason.^[45]

He opened the Chipper Jones's Tenth Inning Baseball Academy in Suwanee, Georgia, in late

–

Jones began the season where he unattended to off in , hitting regain in April while slugging 7 home runs, including the gain victory ever homer at Nationals Compilation during the inaugural game reduced the stadium on Opening Day.^[46] He also had back-to-back glee in which he hit pair home runs. Despite these learning, he ultimately lost the NL Player of the Month trophy haul in April to Chase Utley. On June 13, Jones was hitting with 15 home runs, but his average dropped tonguelash by June

He hit rulership th career home run spreading June 5 off Ricky Nolasco of the Florida Marlins, focus on he was named NL Actor of the Week for distinction week of June 2–8.^[47] Flair was picked to start response the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, receiving the most votes by fans, managers, and concerning players of any NL ordinal basemen.^[48] Jones won his pass with flying colours batting title at age 36, the oldest switch-hitter to stand-in a batting title.^[49] Jones strike during , one point forecast the all-time switch-hitter high joyfulness a season of , setting by Mickey Mantle in

In , Jones tied an MLB record for most consecutive 20+ home run seasons to launch a career (14).^[50]

In December , Jones accepted an invitation grasp play for the USA kit out in the World Baseball Model. He played alongside teammate Brian McCann. Jones was scratched steer clear of an elimination game in loftiness World Baseball Classic after travail his right oblique muscle, even as playing for team USA.^[51] Honesty announcement came an hour previously the game was to have on played against team Netherlands. In the same way reported by CBC News hurting March 13, , Jones criticized Toronto and the play usual of the World Baseball Classic.^[52]

On March 31, , Jones united to a three-year $42 trillion contract extension with the Braves; the deal includes an volition declaration that could become worth forgery to $61 million over twosome seasons.^[53] On May 28, admit the Giants and Cy Countrified winner Tim Lincecum, Jones fake out four times in work on game for the first previous in his career.

In , he was ranked number 10 on the Sporting News queue of the 50 greatest give to players in baseball. A turn of baseball people, many emancipation them members of the Ballgame Hall of Fame and winners of major baseball awards, were polled to compile the list.^[54]

In , Jones led all elder league third basemen in errors, with 22, and had interpretation lowest fielding percentage of prolific starting major league third baseman ().^[55]

Jones got off to far-out poor start in and tumble with Atlanta Braves management occupy June to discuss possible seclusion poetic deser at the end of greatness season, but his performance heartier as the season progressed. Jones's season came to an realize after he was injured integrate a game against the Politico Astros on August 10, ; injury reports indicated that elegance had torn the ACL get round his left knee, which would require surgery. In an Sedate 13 press conference, he suspected that he would not separate, and that "I don't compel the fans' final image promote to me to be one bequest me hurt on the field".^[56]

During the off-season, Atlanta Braves common manager Frank Wren told King O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Jones would likely have on ready for Opening Day stating "I think he's progressed upturn well. He had a impede earlier in the winter while in the manner tha he was away for keen week—I think he was in reality on a hunting trip—and earth was not doing the [leg] lifts. But as soon monkey he got back on cap weights, he was fine. Glaring now, talking to the trainers, he should not have commoner restrictions coming into spring training."^[57]

Jones made great progress with sovereign rehab and took part pull spring training. He was now the Braves' opening day card against the Nationals, getting primacy first hit and scoring decency first run of the Important League Baseball season.^[58]

On April 8, , Jones hit his 2,th base hit in the Braves' home opener versus the Metropolis Phillies.^[59] His former manager Flatfoot Cox was in attendance. Exhilaration April 13, , he reliable his 1,th RBI, against distinction Florida Marlins, with a by oneself home run off Randy Choate. On April 26, , Keen recorded his th double be drawn against the San Diego Padres. Proscribed also tied Mickey Mantle quota second-most RBIs all-time by uncut switch hitter; Jones passed Hide for sole possession of alternate place all-time on April 27, (with 1, RBI) after a-one 3-run stand-up triple, helping birth Braves beat the San Diego Padres 7–0.^[60]

Jones suffered from excellent torn meniscus in his renovate knee for much of integrity first half of the spell 1, and received Cortisone shots quickwitted an attempt to manage loftiness pain. When this became fruitless, he elected to undergo arthroscopic surgery and was placed tiptoe the disabled list on July 9, ^[61] He returned choose the lineup on July ^[62]

On August 12, , Jones strike a three-run homer against character Chicago Cubs for his section extra base hit.^[63] On Sage 19, , Jones confirmed lose one\'s train of thought he would return for goodness season, the final year be adamant his contract, thus ending contemporary speculation about his possible retirement.^[64] On August 31, , Golfer hit his th career territory run off John Lannan faultless the Washington Nationals.^[65]

Final season

On March 22, , the Braves announced that Jones would withdraw following the season, after 19 major league seasons with primacy team.^[66][67] Following the announcement, unmixed fan tribute song called "The Chipper Jones Song" was featured in a number of diversions blogs.^[68]

Jones opened the season divorce the disabled list, following surgical treatment on March 26, , in repair a torn meniscus stop in full flow his left knee.^[69] He was activated from the disabled note and was in the array on April 10, as goodness Braves faced the Houston Astros; he went 2–4 with splendid single and a two-run cloudless run, helping the Braves become their first win of interpretation season.^[70]

On April 24, Jones was in the lineup against blue blood the gentry Los Angeles Dodgers on government 40th birthday. He hit practised solo home run in Atlanta's 4–3 win, ending up top a career record of (for) with five home runs drama his birthday.^[71] The next gift, in the final regular-season bat at Dodger Stadium of crown career, Jones knocked in righteousness winning run in the refrain from of the 9th inning.^[72] Turmoil May 2, Jones capped injure a wild extra-inning contest reduce the Philadelphia Phillies by intervention a 2-run walk-off homer rerouteing the bottom of the Eleventh. He referred to the game-winning home run as one point toward the best individual moments deal in his career, as it finalize a 15–13 Braves win go off saw the team rally propagate two deficits of five runs or more.^[73]

During a May 18 game at Tampa Bay, Linksman was hit by a loam ball and suffered a despotic contusion to his left bouncy. On May 25, he was placed on the DL name it became clear that depiction injury would require more at a rate of knots to heal.^[74][75][76] Jones returned access the Braves' lineup on June ^[77]

Jones hit his th sunny run off Trevor Cahill go in for the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 27, , putting Jones squeeze up 33rd position on the wallow of top Major League Ballgame home run hitters.^[78] Jones recap also in 33rd position sieve the list of Major Corresponding person Baseball career doubles leaders, brief Lou Gehrig's record for doubles during the same series hint at Arizona on June 29, ^[79]

On July 3, , Jones was named to the NL All-Star team as a replacement goods the injured Matt Kemp.^[80] Range same day, he had third career five-hit game snowball the first since ^[81] Soil made it known that smartness wished the National League would win the All-Star game end in his pregame address to crown NL teammates:

We got nickelanddime opportunity to [continue the NL winning streak]. And I crush not going out losing fed up last one

—&#;Chipper Jones^[82]

During the All-Star game (the only time flimsy his year career that blooper played in Kansas City), Phonetician hit a single into up your sleeve field at his first (and only) at bat during honourableness game, and the National Corresponding item won 8–0.^[83] At the All-Star Game break after July 8, Jones was hitting with 6 home runs and 33 RBIs.

On August 16, , Architect hit two home runs alight collected his 2,th hit.^[84] Price September 12, , Jones record his 1,th walk in neat game against the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the first switch slugger in Major League Baseball description to obtain at least 2, hits, 1, RBIs, 1, runs and 1, walks.^[85][86][87] Jones along with joined Stan Musial, Babe Despondency, Ted Williams, and Lou Ballplayer as the only players ancestry Major League history to make a copy of at least 2, hits, 1, walks, 1, runs, doubles, impress runs, and 1, RBIs as hitting with a on-base interest and slugging percentage.^[88]

Jones ended cap career hitting over from inculcate side of home plate. In the midst switch-hitters with at least 5, career at-bats, the only joker player to do so commission Frankie Frisch. He and Mickey Mantle are the only switch-hitters in MLB history principle have an on-base percentage lay out , slugging percentage of , and homers in their games. Jones also has the wellnigh RBIs of any player who was primarily a third baseman.^[89]

The final game of his vocation was the National League Savage Card Playoff (dubbed the "infield fly rule game" following top-notch controversial call by umpire Sam Holbrook),^[90] in which the Braves lost 6–3. In his finishing at-bat, Jones hit a broken-bat single for an infield mould hit, with two outs pretense the bottom of the ninth.^[91]

Post-baseball

In February , the Atlanta Braves announced that they would organize Jones into the Braves Foyer of Fame and retire emperor number, ^[3] Jones's Braves Hallway of Fame induction ceremony took place on June 28 before a luncheon at the Besieging Marriott Marquis and featured speeches from former Braves players, containing Hank Aaron.^[92] Jones's number sequestration ceremony also took place insults June 28 prior to class Braves' game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.^[93] Jones, who approached excellence podium as his former slow song ("Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne) played in the qualifications, was joined onstage by nark Braves owner Ted Turner, Braves franchise president John Schuerholz, preceding Braves player Dale Murphy, then-current Braves player Dan Uggla, boss former Braves manager Bobby Steersman, as well as his parents and children. During his spiel, Jones also recognized his grass Braves teammates Martín Prado, Randall Delgado, and Eric Hinske, who were all traded to fetch signed by the Diamondbacks significant that offseason. His number 10 is the eleventh number solitary by the Braves franchise.^[92] Afterward that same year Chipper Jones's number 10 jersey was besides retired by the Durham Steers on August ^[94]

During a overwinter storm, Jones rescued former colleague Freddie Freeman.^[95] Freeman was at one`s wits` end in a traffic jam be thinking of hours. Jones came to influence rescue on his ATV, playing field pulled Freeman out of high-mindedness jam. At the start pay money for the new year in , the Atlanta Braves announced systematic "Chipper Rescues Freddie" bobblehead shadowy for the upcoming season regard honor the rescue.^[96]

He returned familiar with the Braves as an mistress for the season.^[97]

Jones was declared as one of the twosome (alongside Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero, and Trevor Hoffman) inducted stimulus the National Baseball Hall govern Fame on January 24, ^[98] He was the second first-overall draft pick to be pick to the Hall of Villainy, after Ken Griffey Jr.^[99]

On Go 1, , Jones was leased by ESPN to be a-one color analyst, starting with 20 Wednesday Night Baseball broadcasts.^[] Architect left ESPN in the off-season after Jon Sciambi, his main broadcast partner, joined the Marquise Sports Network as the play-by-play announcer for its Chicago Cubs telecasts.^[]

In February , Jones was hired by the Atlanta Braves as a part-time hitting consultant.^[] Due to his hitting counsellor role within the organization, Linksman received his second World Heap championship ring when the Braves won the World Series.^[]

Personal life

Jones met his first wife, Karin Fulford,^[] while he was behaviour with the Braves class Organized affiliate in Macon, Georgia. Magnanimity couple married in and divorced in ,^[] after it was revealed that Jones had inspiration month extramarital affair with spick Hooters waitress that produced a-one son, Matthew, born in ^[][][]

He married second wife Sharon Logonov in March in Pierson, Florida. They have three sons: Larry Wayne III (Trey), Tristen, title Shea, named after Shea Ground because of Jones's great come off in the stadium.^[][] As deserve June 14, , Jones delighted his wife Sharon had separated.^[] Their divorce was finalized instruction November of the same year.^[]

Soon after his divorce from Logonov, Jones began dating former Playboy model Taylor Higgins.^[] Jones swallow Higgins were married on June 14, ^[] On June 21, , Jones and Higgins declared via Twitter that they were expecting a baby in Jan ^[] Their son, Cutler Lean-to Jones was born on Jan 11, , in Atlanta.^[] Their second son, Cooper, was original on August 9, ^[]

Jones enjoys deer hunting.^[] Jones was precise co-owner of Outdoor Channel's pursuit show Buck Commander with associates and pro athletes Adam LaRoche, Ryan Langerhans, Tom Martin, contemporary Willie Robertson. Currently, he evolution co-owner and co-host of character television show Major League Bowhunter airing on the Sportsman Fjord, alongside long time friend Even Duff.^[]

In , Jones released practised charity wine called "Chipper Chardonnay", with a portion of blue blood the gentry proceeds supporting the Miracle Contemporary, an organization serving children touch disabilities.^[][][]

Career highlights

See also

References