Atlanta Braves hire Chipper Jones as special assistant

The Atlanta Braves last week said they hired former third baseman Chipper Jones as a special assistant to baseball operations. Jones will report to John Hart, president of baseball operations, and to General Manager John Coppolella.

Jones makes his return to the club in a support role after retiring as a player following the 2012 season. In his new capacity, Jones will attend Major League spring training as an instructor, and during the regular season he will primarily focus on assisting Braves hitters. He will also assist with amateur scouting leading up to the June draft, as well as some minor-league player evaluation and instruction.

“We are excited to bring Chipper on board as a special assistant,” Coppolella said in a news release. “He brings a wealth of experience – from being a number one overall draft pick, to having a highly-successful career as a World Series champion, a league MVP and a batting champion, to coming back from major injuries. Chipper spent his entire Hall-of-Fame caliber career in a Braves uniform and we look forward to his input with our staff and with our hitters.”

An eight-time All-Star, Jones was voted the National League’s starting third baseman four times. The Braves inducted him into the club’s Hall of Fame and retired his uniform No. 10 in June 2013.