Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves. (Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)
The Atlanta Braves have hired Hall of Famer Chipper Jones to their coaching staff.
Nearly 10 years since he last played for the big league club, the Atlanta Braves are hiring Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones to a part-time hitting consultant role at the Major League Level.
Jones spent his entire MLB career with the Braves organization. He was the former No. 1 overall pick in the 1990 MLB Amateur Draft out of high school in DeLand, Florida. The eight-time NL All-Star won NL MVP back in 1999. He retired after the 2012 season and was inducted into Cooperstown on the first ballot in 2018. Jones most recently called games in the booth for ESPN.
What does this move mean for the Braves entering the 2021 MLB season?
While Atlanta has an excellent hitting coach in Kevin Seitzer, this is a move to ensure the Braves’ offense remains potent on their quest towards winning a championship. Atlanta has not won a World Series since Jones’ rookie season in 1995. The Braves have not won the National League pennant since Jones’ MVP season in 1999. Few players carry the gravitas Jones does in Atlanta.
Jones was a career .303 hitter and was just as talented of a batter from either side of the plate. He amassed 2,726 hits, 468 home runs and 1,623 runs batted in his illustrious career. Jones did everything short of winning a Gold Glove at third base. Again, this hire is all about ensuring accountability and discipline at the plate. Jones was hired to keep the offense this team’s strength.
Though the National League has several excellent teams, maybe the Braves can finally win it all?