Larry Wayne Jones Jr. was born on April 24th 1972 in DeLand, Florida. Larry got his nickname at an early age from his family members who have known him for his whole life. Chipper is short for the phrase “chip off the old block.”Chippers dad worked at the Pierson high school and was the coach for the baseball team. Larry showed an early love for baseball because of his dad. He started playing baseball at the age of 7 at his little league.
In high school when chipper was a freshman he was the starter pitcher and shortstop at Taylor high school. He was also on a American Legion baseball team and played in right field. After freshman year for Chipper, Chipper was enrolled to Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. The three seasons that he was with them they went 65-19. He batted a .413 in his senior year.
In Chippers professional year he was the 1st overall draft pick in 1990 with a 140,000 deal with the Atlanta Braves and was playing shortstop at the time. He was number 10. His first year with the braves was not the best. His average was .326 following 473 at bats, with 24 doubles, 11 triples, 15 home runs, 40 steals, 69 walks, and 79 strikeouts; however, he received criticism after making 56 errors at the shortstop position. All of this was in 1991-1993.
On September 11, 1993 Chipper Jones was debuted as the youngest major league player. That year, Larry also got asked to play in left field because Ron Grant broke his leg during off season, but Chipper soon torn his ACL in his left knee during spring training. He was intentionally walked 18 times that season. Those were good years but he had a lot more to come in the future.
In 2000 chipper signed a six year, 90 million deal with the Braves. In 2001 he was willing to give up playing third base and play left field so the team had room for Vinny Castilla. He later moved back to original position has a third baseman.
As the years go on, Chipper has had an amazing career and is one of the best baseball players in my opinion. I have grown up watching him and have grown to love him and the game of baseball. Sadly this year on March 22, 2012 he announced that he is going to retire and this is his last year. I know that not only myself, but the Braves and the rest of his fans are going to miss him so much.
“Chipper Jones.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 09 June 2012. Web. 06 Sept. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipper_Jones>.