The Atlanta Braves’ legendary third baseman was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame two years ago. Now he’s being recognized for his contributions as a minor leaguer.
Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones is already enshrined in Cooperstown, NY for his work as a Major League Baseball player, now he’s being recognized for his work in the trenches of the Triple-A International League.
Chipper Jones was the 1993 International League Rookie of the Year with Triple-A Richmond. Jones played in 139 games for Richmond that year and slashed .325/.387/.500 with 31 doubles, 13 homers, 97 runs, 89 RBI and 23 steals. Jones also crushed an incredible 12 triples that season.
Following his incredible 1993 season, he was pegged for an Opening Day with the Atlanta Braves before tearing his ACL in his left knee in the spring of ’94.
Chipper will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame along with 2000 IL MVP and current Tampa Bay Ray’s hitting coach, Chad Mottola, and Johnny Neun.
After his one stellar season in Richmond, Jones went on to become an eight-time All-Star with the big club and was the recipient of the 1999 National League’s Most Valuable Player Award.
In Jones’ first full season with the Braves -following his IL Rookie of the Year campaign and after missing all of 1994 with a torn ACL- he hit 23 homers and drove in 86 runs for the World Champion Braves of 1995.
Jones retired after the 2012 season with 468 career home runs and a lifetime slash line of .303/.401/.529 over 19 years in the major leagues.
It’s another accolade for a legendary career. Chipper can add this achievement to his eight All-Stars appearances, his ’99 NL MVP, ’95 World Championship, his two silver slugger awards, his ’08 batting title, and his National Baseball Hall of Fame induction.
Chipper’s induction ceremony will be at Coolray Field, the home of the Braves’ Triple-A team.
The date and time will be announced at a later date.