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

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?"

And 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...

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