ATLANTA, GA – The rumor that the Atlanta Braves are planning a dual statue featuring franchise icons Hank Aaron and Chipper Jones has sent an emotional shockwave through the fanbase, transforming the leak into an immediate conversation about the two greatest eras of Braves baseball.
While the Braves have not officially announced the plans for a combined statue, the idea is gaining massive traction and is seen as the ultimate tribute to the two players who defined the franchise from the 1950s through the 2010s.
The Significance of the Dual Monument
The Braves currently have a major statue of Hank Aaron (commemorating his 715th home run) in the Monument Garden area of Truist Park, and a statue of Bobby Cox outside the stadium. The proposal to create a new, dual-figure monument is powerful for several reasons:
- The Mentor and the Protégé: Chipper Jones and Hank Aaron shared an immense bond. Jones frequently spoke about the respect he had for Aaron and has publicly revealed that it was Aaron who originally vouched for him, telling the Braves’ front office, “Y’all better draft that Jones boy.”
- The Succession of Greatness: A dual statue would symbolize the passing of the torch from the all-time home run king (Aaron) to the face of the modern, dominant ’90s Braves dynasty (Jones).
- The Emotional Resonance: After Aaron’s death in January 2021, Jones was a deeply emotional voice at the memorial service held at Truist Park. A joint statue would serve as a permanent tribute to their personal relationship and their intertwined legacies in Atlanta.
The Current Status of Statues at Truist Park
It’s important to note that the Braves already have an individual statue of Hank Aaron at Truist Park, installed when the stadium (then SunTrust Park) opened in 2017.
- Hank Aaron: Statue of his 715th home run is currently behind home plate.
- Chipper Jones: Jones, whose No. 10 is retired, does not yet have a statue at Truist Park, an oversight many fans have long called on the team to rectify.
The “leak” suggests the Braves may be planning an entirely new installation—perhaps outside the main gates—to honor the two legends together, or that they are preparing to commission a solo Chipper Jones statue to join the existing icons. Either way, the debate for Jones’s permanent, massive tribute is nearing its conclusion.
