Chipper Jones is the new career hits leader for the Atlanta Braves.
Click to enlarge photo.
photo by Tim Evearitt (file photo)
With his RBI double in the sixth-inning of Saturday night's 11-3 win over the Padres at PETCO Park, Chipper Jones surpassed Dale Murphy and became the all-time hits leader in Atlanta history. Each of his 1,902 career hits have come with the Braves.
Jones also surpassed Murphy on June 10 to become Atlanta's all-time RBI leader. But like in that category, the veteran third baseman has a ways to go before passing Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron on the franchise's all-time hits list.
Mathews, who is the only player to have played for the organization in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta, ranks second with 2,201 hits in a Braves uniform. Aaron amassed 3,600 hits during his 21 seasons with the Braves.
Both of those Hall of Famers and Murphy are among the five former Braves who have had their numbers retired.
"It's awesome to be mentioned with the Murphs and the Hanks," Jones said. "Those are all great names. I'd love to have my number up beside theirs someday. I feel like I have a lot of great baseball ahead of me and I want bigger and better things."
____________
Adapted from article on the Major League Baseball website.
Dale Murphy had 1,901 all-time hits for Atlanta.
Click to enlarge photo.
photo by Tim Evearitt (file photo)