ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Fans filed into Turner Field for the pre-game ceremony to honor Chipper Jones. The third baseman will retire at the end of this season.
Fans caught a glimpse of their favorite All-Star on his way into the ballpark. Tonight the Braves celebrate the 19 years Jones gave to the team. Fans showed up holding signs and wearing jerseys with No. 10 on the back, all in honor of Jones.
"I've been a Braves fan all my life, and have watched Chipper Jones as I've grown up, so I'm really excited about this being his last home series," Kari Callanan said.
Three friends from California flew in for Jones' three final regular season games. Michelle Metcalf had Jones' jersey and face painted on her nails.
"There's something about him. You can just tell he's a ballplayer from the time he came up and just gave it his all every time he's on the field," said Metcalf.
The Atlanta Braves president called Jones the icon of the organization.
"He's meant so much to us on the field, in this community and in this region. He has been the face of our franchise," John Schuerholz said.
Teammate Dan Uggla said Jones has been a friend and mentor.
"As emotional as it's going to be for everybody out there, it's going to be real emotional for us, and I can't even imagine how it's going to be for him," Uggla said.
But it's the fans who say they will miss his greatness on and off the field.
"I think he's a good role model. I think he's kept himself really clean moral-wise, and I think he'll be a hard act to follow," Berlon Durham said.
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