47. Pierson's Chipper Jones rallies National League All-Stars in mid-summer classic with inspirational speech

Chipper Jones Chipper Jones, shown here in a photo from his website, was all smiles at the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Kansas City, Mo., hitting a single in the 6th inning.

PIERSON -- Chipper Jones -- the pride of Pierson, Florida --  and a future Hall of Famer for the Atlanta Braves rallied his National League All-Stars in a pre-game speech before they took to the field in Kansas City and shut out their American League counterparts, 8-0.

Jones' rallying cry comes in at No. 47 in Headline Surfer's countdown of the top 100 local stories of 2012.

Saying it didn't matter how old they were, Jones told his National League teammates they were the "elite of the elite" and had an opportunity to extend the senior circuit's winning streak to three years in a row. 

"I am not going out losing my last one. All right, you with me?"

Chipper Jones summaryAnd with him, they were.

Right from the first inning when San Francisco third baseman Pablo Sandoval hit bases clearing triple to stake the team to a 3-0 lead. Giants teammate and outfielder Melky Cabrera, later hit a 2-run home run to increase the onslaught and claim MVP honors.

In his speech before the 83rd All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Jones addressed the team at the request of retired 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, who came back to manage the NL squad.

"This is my 8th all-star game," Jones said in part, his speech replayed for a TV audience during the game by FOX. "You guys belong here. Alright, It doesn't matter if you're 19 or 40 -- like me. All right, we're all equals here. You've got a job to do. Go out and beat the elite of the elite of the American League."

Jones, chosen for the game as a reserve, was given a standing ovation when he came to bat in the 6th inning and clubbed a single into right field.

Jones, the 1999 National League season MVP, has said this would be his final season of baseball, all with the Atlanta Braves.

FAST FACTS

Chipper Jones attended Taylor High School in Pierson until the ninth grade, when he moved to Jacksonville. After he completed his high school career at the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Jones was selected by the Atlanta Braves with the first pick overall in the 1990 amateur draft. Source: Wikipedia...

Top 100 Countdown Recap:

47. Pierson's Chipper Jones rallies National League All-Stars in mid-summer classic with inspirational speech
48. 20,000 strong attend Edgewater Fourth of July fireworks
49. Sen. Bill Nelson makes campaign stop in Daytona
50. Robert Fortner of DeLand thrilled with Romney/Ryan at GOP convention in Tampa
51. Romney's wife makes campaign stop at Daytona nursery school
52.The Rev. Jesse Jackson campaigns for Obama in New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach
53. Former Oak Hill cop Manuel Perez charged with domestic violence
54. North Causeway workforce housing opposed by nearby affluent New Smyrna Beach neighbors
55. Hotelier lobbies NSB for Delta Queen in waters of North Causeway
56. Volusia County GOP conservative Jim Oddie meets Paul Ryan in The Villages
57. NSB family dog quarantined a week for nip on child's ear
58. New Smyrna Beach celebrates MLK holiday
59. Halloween parade in NSB draws lots of children
60. Volusia County teens celebrate world language festival at New Smyrna Beach High School
61. Ida Wright wins Daytona-area school board seat primary
62. VCSO deputy recognized for 'job well done' in reviving baby
63. Outdoor fire ban lifted in mid-June for unincorporated Volusia County, Oak Hill, Pierson and Lake Helen
64. NSBHS graduating seniors receive $2.2 million in scholarships Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/411347-64-nsbhs-graduating-seniors-receive-22-million-scholarships
65. VCSO: Man murdered in Osteen may be linked to drug growing operation
66. Circuit judge: Death sentence stands for Deltona Xbox mass murderer
67. Murderous rampage: Port Orange man kills own son and a camper at RV park in Deerfield Beach before killing himself
68. Alleged New Smyrna Beach serial arsonist nabbed by Volusia County Sheriff's investigators
69. Feds: NSB man gets 12 years in prison for kiddie porn
>70. NASCAR promotes management talent into senior ranks
71. Deputy shoots and kills DeLeon Springs man after rifle pointed at him while trying to serve warrant
72. Bike Week body paint model at Cabbage Patch outside NSB strikes a pose
73. Palm Coast man gets sentence of at least 25 years in prison for robbing Ormond Beach pharmacy of painkillers
74. Edgewater police chief relieved accused killer who dumped bodies here captured
75. Port Orange man dies in fire; blaze contained to victim's apartment
76. Santa brings toys for tots to NSB via train
77. Ocassional NSB resident Johnny Damon signs with Cleveland Indians
78. NSBHS students of driving age learn importance of organ donation
79. Edgewater man killed after being struck by train while throwing rocks at it
80. County Council breaks bread with Daytona Area Chamber of Commerce
81. Body of 55-year-old DeBary man found in charred remains of home
82. Crossdresser rebuffed in trying to rob Deltona pharmacy of pills
83. Deltona pit bull 'Snoopy' back home
84. Ormond Beach cops: Man driving upwards of 150 mph in Lamborghini killed on US 1
85. NSB cops: Motorist arrested on fourth DUI charge
86. Postal truck becomes engulfed in flames in Edgewater, but mail salvaged
87. New Smyrna Beach Finance Dept. wins national award
88. Sad irony: Elderly man drowns in river named for death
89. NSB Fire Chief Dave McAllister among community award winners by Volusia League of Cities
90. Unlicensed 17-year-old Orange City boy runs over and kills 84-year-old woman in Deltona shopping plaza
91. NSB City Clerk Johnny Bledsoe gets new contract; 20 weeks compensation if canned
92. Votran bus operator drives 2 million miles on Volusia County roads without an accident
93. Jason McGuirk gets Jim Hathaway's seat on NSB commission
94. Holly Hill woman calls in bomb threat at work forcing evacuation of 300; tells cops she was bored
95. Sheriff holds open house in Oak Hill six months after taking over law enforcement duties
96. Audio: Cop pursuit in New Smyrna Beach with speeds clocked at 100 mph-plus ends with stop sticks
97. Ponce Inlet Councilman Joseph Perrone holds onto his seat by one vote
98. Edgewater's Tia McDonald featured in book while visiting Australia
99. Gene Emter wins Edgewater City Council seat by 12-vote margin in special election Link: http://headlinesurfer.com/content/410884-99-gene-emter-wins-edgewater-city-council-seat-12-vote-margin-special-election
100. Chip Ganassi cars finish 1-2 in Rolex at Daytona
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