The future Hall of Famer was a Braves fan growing up, and the first time he faced off against Chipper Jones in an Atlanta uniform at Turner Field–in 2008–was one for the books. The two traded jabs all game long before Jones drilled a three-run homer to seal a win. But there were 2 words that still carry significance for him today: “I’m going home”.
Chipper Jones, the Hall of Fame third baseman and former Major League Baseball player publicly revealed that one of the most intimidating moments in his life was when Braves fans chanted “1-2-3” at him during a game.Chipper Jones was a superstar in Major League Baseball for more than 15 years. He made his name with the Atlanta Braves, winning consecutive World Series championships in 1995 and 1996 before moving to Texas at the end of his career. Recently, Chipper wrote about one particular moment that still gives him shivers down his spine when he thinks back on it -and you won’t believe what happened!
The “chipper jones” is a moment that Chipper Jones revealed during an interview with ESPN. The moment was when he was playing for the Braves and a fan yelled “You suck!” at him. Jones said the 2 words that Braves fans still say to him today.
Chipper Jones was the face of the Atlanta Braves for almost two decades. He played for one club for 19 years, in front of thousands of spectators, won a World Series, and is a Pro Baseball Hall of Fame member. Despite the honors and popularity, Jones remembered the most nerve-wracking moment of his baseball career, as well as the two-word message he still receives from fans.
Chipper Jones led the Atlanta Braves to the World Series in his first full season with the team.
On July 29, 2018, in Cooperstown, New York, Chipper Jones delivers his acceptance speech at Clark Sports Center at the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. | Getty Images/Jim McIsaac
At Bolles High School in Jacksonville, Florida, Jones was a promising prospect. He turned down a baseball scholarship to the University of Miami and was selected first overall in the 1990 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. He made his big-league debut in September 1993 and played in eight games the rest of the season.
Jones, who was expected to break into the starting lineup in 1994, tore his ACL during spring training and was forced to miss the whole season. Jones joined the Braves in 1995 and played 140 games, leading all rookies in RBIs (86) and runs scored (87). In the Rookie of the Year vote, he came in second behind Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jones was a key player in the Braves’ 1995 World Series victory against the Cleveland Indians, which they won in six games. The next season, he and the Braves returned to the World Series, but were defeated in six games by the New York Yankees.
In 1999, Jones was awarded the National League MVP after hitting.319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBIs. He’s an eight-time All-Star who led the league in hitting in 2008 with a.364 average. In 2018, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Chipper Jones shared one of his most harrowing experiences.
Jones was composed and collected on the field. Off it, that wasn’t always the case. That wasn’t the case in 2018, when he had to address the audience for his Hall of Fame speech. He described the ritual as “intimidating” and “frightening” shortly after it ended.
Jones acknowledged on Marty Smith’s America Podcast that it was “probably one of the most scary, frightening times of your life.” “First and foremost, you don’t want to leave anybody out or forget who they are. Second, as someone who does not speak professionally, we sometimes struggle to find the right words to adequately explain things and our emotions about them.
“I suppose that’s why they gave us approximately six months to prepare,” says the narrator. I believe each man did a decent job of commemorating his baseball career, but I’m sure most of us would admit that we could’ve done it a bit better after we’re done. That’s what I wanted to accomplish with being the face of the franchise and being recognized as an Atlanta Brave for over two decades: drive home the message of what Braves’ country means to me and what I represent to them.
“It was a bit of a nerve-wracking experience.” When I was in high school, I took a public-speaking class, but this elevated it to a whole other level. The 40,000 people in front of me didn’t bother me, but the 60 (Hall of Famers) behind me made me a bit uncomfortable.”
Wherever Jones travels, he claims he still receives a two-word message from Braves fans.
Jones is a legend in the Atlanta Braves organization. He has always been and always will be. When the former all-star third baseman is spotted in public, he says he still hears it from fans.
“Every night for three hours, individuals welcomed me inside their houses,” he said. “They switched on their television, and for the next two decades, I was a member of their family.” That, I believe, explains my close bond with Braves fans throughout the nation.”
What do those admirers have to say to him?
Jones expressed his gratitude by saying, “Thank you.” “Every time someone says thank you, it astounds me.” That’s when you truly feel like you’re a member of their family. ‘Man, all I did was play a stupid kids game,’ I thought to myself when they say thank you.
“I wasn’t thinking about being in all of those houses and being a part of all of those families at the time. “Brother, it was my joy,” is all I have to say.
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