What Is Chipper Jones’ Net Worth?
Chipper Jones, the celebrated former third baseman for the Atlanta Braves, boasts a net worth of $90 million. His financial success is primarily attributed to his lucrative baseball career, which includes substantial salary earnings and endorsement deals.
Chipper Jones’ Career Earnings and Contract Details
Throughout his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Chipper Jones accumulated $168 million in salary alone. This figure represents his earnings from playing contracts with the Atlanta Braves from 1995 to 2012. In 2000, Jones signed a six-year, $90 million deal with the Braves, which significantly contributed to his overall earnings. Later, in 2009, he secured a three-year contract extension worth $42 million, further solidifying his financial standing. These contracts were instrumental in building his net worth.
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Born Larry Wayne Jones Jr. in 1972 in DeLand, Florida, Chipper Jones’ journey to professional baseball started early. His father, Larry Sr., was a teacher and coach at T. DeWitt Taylor High School, where Jones honed his baseball skills as a freshman. Later, he attended the Bolles School, where he excelled, achieving a 6-3 record with 87 strikeouts and maintaining a .391 batting average as a sophomore. In 1989, he garnered First Team All-State honors in both baseball and football, winning a state championship in baseball, highlighting his athletic prowess. These early achievements and the subsequent baseball scholarship to the University of Miami laid the foundation for his professional career and future earnings. He was the first overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in the 1990 MLB draft.
MLB Career Highlights and Achievements
Chipper Jones debuted with the Atlanta Braves in September 1993. After an injury setback, he made a significant impact in 1995, leading all MLB rookies in games played, games started, plate appearances, at bats, RBIs, and runs scored. His performance in the 1995 World Series, where the Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians in six games, marked an early career highlight. 1999 proved to be a pivotal year, as Jones hit over .300, slugged over 40 home runs, notched over 100 RBIs and runs scored, and stole 25 bases. This outstanding performance culminated in him winning the National League MVP award. Additional accolades include being an eight-time All-Star and winning two Silver Slugger Awards. He holds the record for most RBIs for a third baseman and is second on the all-time switch hitters RBI list. The Atlanta Braves retired his #10 jersey, and he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame, honoring his contributions.
Post-Playing Career Ventures
Following his retirement from baseball, Chipper Jones transitioned into various post-playing career ventures. In 2013, he was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame. He was later inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. His career shifted towards media as he became a color analyst for ESPN’s “Wednesday Night Baseball” broadcasts in 2020. Furthermore, he co-owned the Outdoor Channel hunting show “Buck Commander” and co-hosts the Sportsman Channel television show “Major League Bowhunter” with Matt Duff, marking a foray into the entertainment industry. These activities supplemented his income after retiring from professional baseball, and contribute to Chipper Jones’ net worth.
Real Estate Investments and Assets
In 2018, Chipper Jones invested in a 37-acre estate located 20 minutes outside of Atlanta, paying $9.5 million. The estate features a 23,000 square-foot mansion that includes 8 bedrooms, a sauna, and a wine room. Additional amenities include stables, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, guest houses, and a nine-car garage, showcasing the property’s luxury and scale. Jones listed this property for sale in July 2021 for $15 million, eventually accepting an offer of $11 million in May 2023. This real estate transaction demonstrates his investment strategies and asset management, impacting Chipper Jones’ net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
Chipper Jones’ personal life has been marked by significant events and relationships. He married Karin Fulford in 1992, whom he met while playing for the Macon Braves. During their marriage, Jones had a son, Matthew, in 1998 from an affair, which led to his divorce from Fulford in 2000. He later married Sharon Logonov, with whom he had three sons: Trey, Tristen, and Shea; they divorced in 2012. In 2015, Jones married Playboy model Taylor Higgins, and they have two sons, Cutler and Cooper. These personal events, while not directly affecting his net worth, are part of his life story. He enjoys deer hunting and has been involved in outdoor-related television shows.