Three years of retirement was apparently enough for Chipper Jones, as the former All-Star will return to the Atlanta Braves in their front office.
The Braves’ official Twitter account announced Thursday that Jones will be working as a special assistant to baseball operations.
Per Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan, Jones said it was time for him to get back into the sport he spent 19 years playing as a professional:
It’s unclear what exactly Jones’ new role will entail, though positions that include the label of “special assistant” are often given to historic figures in franchise history.
For instance, on the Braves’ official website, Fred McGriff is also listed as a special assistant to baseball operations, and Bobby Cox is a special assistant to the general manager. It’s a way to keep marquee names around an organization to make public appearances around the city and at the stadium.
Jones last played in 2012 at the age of 40, when injuries prevented him from staying on the field. He was still a productive hitter in his final season with a .287/.377/.455 line.
If Jones were ever going to work in baseball, the Braves would be the team to make it happen. He is one of the greatest players in franchise history, spending his entire career in Atlanta, winning an NL MVP award in 1999 and helping lead the team to a World Series win in 1995.
The Braves are going through a massive rebuilding phase right now, so having Jones around the team to work with the young position players already in the big leagues and coming through the farm system will certainly help teach them about hitting and the grind of a full season.
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