Born Larry Wayne Jones in 1972, the player Atlanta Braves fans and baseball followers know as "Chipper" has cemented himself as one of the most stalwart third basemen in the modern age of baseball. In the age of trades and free agency, Jones is unique as one of the best players to play his entire baseball career with only one team.
Early Playing Career
After learning the game at an early age from his father, who was a high school baseball coach, Jones started playing Little League in his home state of Florida. Jones was a standout player in high school, where he hit .448 and helped lead Bolles High School to a state championship his junior year. Jones also played basketball and football in high school.
History With Atlanta Braves
In 1990, the Atlanta Braves chose Jones with the first pick in the amateur draft. Jones played in the minors before being called up to the Braves in 1995. In his rookie year, he hit .265 with 86 RBI and 23 home runs, making him one of the best Braves prospects in years. Jones was a central force on that year's Atlanta team that would go on to win the World Series over the Cleveland Indians. Jones became a staple in the Braves' lineup after his rookie year, playing third base, with a short stint in the outfield.
Statistics and Accomplishments
Entering the 2011 season, Jones has a lifetime batting average of .306 with 1,491 RBI and 436 home runs. His best season was in 1999, when he batted .319 with 110 RBI and 45 home runs. He was named National League Most Valuable Player. Jones made the National League All-Star team six times and was awarded the Silver Slugger award twice, in 1999 and 2000.
Personal Life
Jones and his wife, Sharon, are the parents of three boys. He also has another son from a previous relationship. Jones founded the Chipper Jones Family Foundation in the early 2000s to help benefit organizations focused on children, such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Little League. In his spare time, Jones enjoys deer hunting and fishing.
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