Former Atlanta Brave Chipper Jones gets enshrined

After a career wearing one uniform that lasted 19 years in which he became only one of nine players all time to record at least 400 home runs, a .300 batting average, a .400 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage; a former Atlanta Brave star third baseman was enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
“I would like to thank the Baseball Writers for this incredible honor,” said Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones as he began his 20-minute four-second long acceptance speech. “I also want to thank Jane Forbes Clark, Jeff Idelson, and the entire Hall of Fame staff. Since we got the call in January, you’ve done nothing but make this the most unbelievable experience for the Jones family, and we thank you.”
During his speech, Jones thanked his family for their unwavering support including his parents Larry Sr. and Lynne. “Not a day goes by that I’m not thankful for all that both of you have done,” he told his parents who were sitting on the front row. “I love you both beyond words.”
To his six children, Jones said, “I want you to step away from my shadow and blaze your own trail in whatever you’re passionate about. Believe in what you do, love whatever you do. And know that I love you unconditionally, and will support you in whatever path you choose.”
The last family member whom Jones thanked is his wife Taylor, who is pregnant with a child who will be named Cooper in honor of Sunday’s events.
“I didn’t meet my wife Taylor until I was 40 years old, playing my last year with the Braves in 2012,” Jones stated. “She changed my life forever. It took me 40 years and some major imperfections in me along the way to find my true perfection. Now we’ve taken our two families and blended them together and it has given me what I’ve been searching for my entire life – true happiness.”
Jones was inducted alongside Trevor Hoffman, Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero, and Detroit Tiger legends Allen Trammel and Jack Morris.
He was also inducted into a group of former Major Leaguers that includes former teammates Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. Those three pitchers, along with Jones, led the Braves to a World Series title in 1995.
Smoltz was the brunt of few jokes that were thrown into Jones’ speech. Jones said, “Smoltzy always pitched like his hair was on fire, which makes sense looking at him now” before taking jabs at Smoltz’s 85 that he shot in the opening round of this year’s U.S. Senior Open.
As far as that team in 1995, it was managed by fellow Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, whom Jones credited with much of his success in the major leagues.
“Bobby, you believed in me before I truly I believed I belonged in the big leagues,” Jones said Sunday in Cooperstown. “And on opening day 1995, Bobby put me in the three-hole in front of Fred McGriff and David Justice. You knew hitting me in front of those two dudes would give me a lot of fastballs – and it worked.”
He continued, “Bobby, next to my parents you had the biggest influence on my career of anybody.”
Also credited with Jones’ success was Willie Stargell, who told Jones to start using a heavier bat after he was drafted number one overall in 1990 by the Braves.
Jones said, “He picked up my bat and said, ‘Son, I pick my teeth with bigger pieces of wood than this.’ He suggested I swing with the biggest bat I could get around on 90 mph. I swung that heavy bat until the day I retired.”
Jones ended his induction speech with an acknowledgment of the Atlanta fans, especially the strong Brave contingent that made the trip to Cooperstown.
“I’ve never considered myself to be in the same realm as Mickey (Mantle), Hank (Aaron), (Roberto) Clemente, Cal (Ripken), and the other greats on this stage,” said Jones. “These guys are baseball royalty. But I know none of us would have had the privilege of playing this game or receiving these accolades without people in the stands believing in us. For me, that’s Braves Country.”
He concluded, “You cheered me on through the career highs and stuck by me through life’s lows. I will never forget that. You’re the reason I ånever wanted to play anywhere else. I couldn’t be prouder to go in the Hall of Fame today with an Atlanta “A” on my cap. I love you guys. Thank you.”