Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones is one of just three former first-round draft picks elected to the Hall of Fame. He’s one of just two switch-hitters to finish their career hitting over .300 from each side of the plate, and he had the last hit at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and the first hit at Turner Field.
And Lowcountry baseball fans still have the opportunity to see him in two weeks.
Tickets remain to see keynote speaker Chipper Jones at the Charleston RiverDogs’ 22nd Hot Stove Banquet, the annual offseason event celebrating baseball with proceeds benefiting MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.
The event, presented by the Marino Family, is from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Charleston Gaillard Center.
Jones, who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, is third on the Braves’ all-time home run list behind Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews with 468. He’s second to Aaron in many categories including RBIs (1,623), total bases (4,755), OPS (.930), hits (2,726) and games (2,499).
The 1999 National League MVP, who was an eight-time all-star and helped lead the Braves to the 1995 World Series championship over Cleveland, spent all 19 of his seasons in Atlanta.
The other first overall picks in the Hall of Fame are Ken Griffey Jr. and Harold Baines. And Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch, a second baseman from the 1920s and 30s, is the only other switch-hitter to hit over .300 for their career from each side of the plate.
Past speakers at the RiverDogs’ Hot Stove include baseball greats Bo Jackson, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Ryne Sandberg, Wade Boggs and Goose Gossage.
Tickets are available at riverdogs.com. General admission (with fees) is $246.75 per ticket.