Braves Legend Chipper Jones Rips Hall of Fame Voters for Keeping Former Teammate Out: “Make Sure It’s Right”

In a passionate response to the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame voting results, Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones has criticized Hall of Fame voters for excluding his former teammate, Fred McGriff, from the prestigious honor for years. Jones, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018, called for voters to “make sure it’s right” after McGriff finally received his long-overdue recognition through the Veterans Committee earlier this year.

McGriff, who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, was widely regarded as one of the best power hitters of his generation. Despite consistently putting up impressive numbers—493 career home runs, a .284 batting average, and five All-Star selections—McGriff never received enough votes to make it into Cooperstown through the regular Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) ballot. The 2025 Hall of Fame class saw McGriff’s name elevated through the Veterans Committee, but Jones made it clear that the wait had been frustrating.

“I’ve always said it: Fred McGriff should have been in the Hall of Fame a long time ago,” Jones stated in a recent interview. “There are some guys in there who might not have the same numbers he does, and yet, Fred is kept out year after year. The numbers speak for themselves, and it’s time to make sure it’s right.”

Jones, who shared a clubhouse with McGriff during their years together in Atlanta, emphasized McGriff’s leadership, consistency, and professionalism, qualities that extended beyond his impressive statistics. He believes McGriff’s exclusion from the Hall of Fame was a disservice to both the game of baseball and to players like McGriff, who quietly put up Hall of Fame-worthy numbers without the flashy headlines.

“The voters need to understand that a guy like Fred, with his body of work, deserves that recognition,” Jones added. “When you’ve been one of the best for that long, there should be no question.”

McGriff’s induction was finally secured by the Veterans Committee, which recognized players who were overlooked during their time on the BBWAA ballot. This decision has brought a sense of closure to McGriff’s Hall of Fame journey, but Jones’ comments underscore the broader conversation about the inconsistencies in how players are evaluated for enshrinement.

While McGriff’s induction is a triumph for him and his supporters, it also serves as a reminder that some players’ paths to the Hall of Fame are filled with unnecessary hurdles. Jones, in his public remarks, has made it clear that baseball’s legacy should not be held back by the shortcomings of the voting process. “Make sure it’s right,” he concluded.