ChipPurr Jones made his Gwinnett Field debut Tuesday night, taking a treat-fueled trip toward home plate before the Stripers’ game and giving the club’s pet supply donation drive its most popular guest.
The rescued cat, adopted by Gwinnett in late August, was named after Braves Hall of Famer Chipper Jones following an online call for suggestions. Fans quickly landed on ChipPurr Jones, and the name stuck.
Quick facts
- ChipPurr Jones is a rescued cat adopted by the Gwinnett Stripers in late August.
- His name honors Chipper Jones, the Braves’ 1990 first overall Draft pick, eight-time All-Star, MVP and World Series champion.
- ChipPurr delivered a ceremonial first pitch Tuesday at Gwinnett Field.
- The appearance came during the Stripers’ pet supply donation drive and Purr in the Park event.
There was no mound work to evaluate and no radar-gun reading to post. ChipPurr’s assignment was simpler: head in the direction of the plate, follow the snacks and let the ballpark handle the rest.
Public-address announcer Cary Clayborn supplied the proper call afterward: “Meow, that was some first pitch!”
The club’s Purr in the Park night gave cat owners their own place on the schedule. Dog-centered Bark in the Park dates are common across Major League and Minor League ballparks, but the Stripers opened the gates for the feline side of the household.
ChipPurr has become a fast favorite around the Triple-A club since his adoption. On a night built around donated pet supplies, the little namesake of a Braves icon had the cleanest moment in the pregame show.
