Chipper Jones

 As we close out 2025, the 25th anniversary year of MLB Showdown, I feel it only right to honor the original cover athlete. In 2000, Chipper Jones was coming off an MVP season and a trip to the World Series, making him an easy choice to represent Showdown as it debuted. Other big stars of the time like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Derek Jeter and Pedro Martinez were featured in advertising, but Jones was the guy on the starter set and all the booster packs in stores. So let us look back on the career of Mr. Jones, the face of MLB Showdown 2000.

Chipper was a September callup in 1993 and, as a result of his extremely limited playing time, has one of the greatest pinch-hitting cards you could ask for. Jones was expected to return for the full time job in 1994, but he suffered an ACL tear in spring training and missed the entire season. So on we go to 1995...

The rookie campaign for Jones was hugely successful, as he led all rookies with 86 RBI and 87 Runs. He finished 2nd in NL Rookie of the Year voting, and even accumulated some MVP votes. More importantly, he seamlessly fit into the Atlanta's winning lineup and helped guide them to the World Series where the Braves would win their 1st title in Atlanta.

Jones was back in the World Series in 1996 after a 4th place MVP effort and his first all star game. Unfortunately for Jones and the Braves, their attempt at establishing a dynasty in '96 was thwarted by the Yankees beginning theirs instead.

1997 Jones stopped playing all over the place and finally settled into 3rd Base only. His chart stays elite and he once again finished in the top 10 for MVP and another all star nomination.

1998 saw the common 10 on-base that he'll enjoy for most of his career. Another top 10 MVP season, another all star nomination, but the best was yet to come. 1999 is when he'd truly burst out and take home the MVP. The 1999-2004 seasons are all covered by the full run of MLB Showdown where there isn't a one off exception that I can make a card for. Each years set features Jones and he never changed teams. During the Showdown years, Jones went to the all star game from 2000-01, won the Silver Slugger in 1999 and 2000, and help the Braves win the division and fight for the pennant every year. In 2001 they made it back to the NLCS, but other than that they were bounced in the Division Series every time.

Skipping to 2005, we see that Jones stays elite, and is back at 3rd Base after flirting with the outfield during the Showdown years.

When the World Baseball Classic started in the spring of 2006, Jones was the choice for Team USA to start at 3rd Base.

2006 was a strange new world for the Braves. While Jones clearly remains one of the best 3rd Basemen in the game, this was the first season they failed to win the division or qualify for the playoffs since 1990.

Chipper Jones cards are almost interchangeable with how often he maintains elite production. In '07 he finished 6th for MVP, the best showing since he won the award in 1999.

As elite as Jones was before, he took his card up a notch even more in 2008. He claimed the Batting Title with a .364 Batting Average, just one point shy of tying Mickey Mantle for the highest all time by a switch hitter. His hot bat helped him return to the all star game.

Once again, Jones took time out of a busy spring to represent the Stars and Stripes in the World Baseball Classic.

2009 was a bit of a step back for Jones. His on-base dropped to *just* a 9 and his chart looks a little barren and his defense going from a perfect +3 to just a +1.

And 2010 Jones goes back to his usual 10 on-base, but his chart still looks a bit short of what we're used to out of him. He had a slow start and the prospect of retirement first loomed on the horizon. He suffered another torn ACL, ending his season. Jones wouldn't let this be the end of his career and he decided he would be back to finish his career proper.

Jones wasn't just back in 2011, he was back to his classic chart and ability. His season earned him yet another all star nomination.

Before the 2012 season began, it was announced that this would be indeed the final run for Chipper Jones. Ending his career strong, he made the 8th and final trip to the all star game. Not only that, but the Braves rallied and returned to the playoffs, giving Jones one final crack at October baseball.

In 2018, Jones was on the ballot for the Hall of Fame for the 1st time. It was a no brainer selection as he garnered 97.2% of the vote to clinch immortality.