When the Atlanta Braves selected Chipper Jones out of Jacksonville’s The Bolles School with the first pick of the 1990 Draft, no one knew how good the team was to be.
A laughingstock in the 1980s and another cellar finish in 1990, Atlanta went from worst-to-first in 1991 and stayed there over a decade.
By the time he became a full-time player in 1995—Jones drew a cup of coffee in 1993 before missing all of 1994 to injury—the Braves were in the middle of a dynasty and the young third baseman quickly became a cornerstone third baseman. For eight straight years, 1996 through 2003, Jones drove in more than 100 runs a season. He topped 30 homers five times and socked 45 in 1999, and failed to make the All-Star Game.
He ended up in eight Midsummer Classics, won the 1999 MVP, finished six times in the top 10 voting and earned a Silver Slugger. As the starting pitchers, such as Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz aged, Jones became the face of the franchise. Featured almost 100 times a year on WTBS, his popularity grew.
When the Mets and Braves tussled during the late 90s, Jones raised his game. Against New York in 245 games, he hit .309 and smashed 49 homers. The more the Shea Stadium faithful razzed him, the better he hit. By the end of his career, he named a child Shea out of respect for those battles.
Outside of 1994 Jones was durable, playing in 2499 games in 19 seasons. At 36, he won the batting crown in 2008 hitting .364. Never a threat to win a Gold Glove or steal a base after 2000, Jones retired after the 2012 as the best hitter in the Atlanta-era of Braves history.
His 85 WAR is second-best on the list and he will soon have a date with his admirers in Cooperstown.
Next: Seattle's Best Shortstop