Chipper Jones was one of the better No. 1 overall picks in recent memory going to the Braves in 1990. At that time, Royals' Billy Butler wasn't old enough to remember him.
↵Growing up, he began to idolize Jones and, 20 years later, he got a chance to meet him as the Royals take on the Braves this week.
↵↵↵"It was pretty special to talk to him," Butler said. "He's one of the guys I've been wanting to meet my whole life. Having a conversation with him is more than you can imagine."
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The connection is the high schools they went to about a mile apart. People told Butler back then that he was best hitter since Jones.
↵↵↵"When I was younger they said I was the best hitter to come through since Chipper, I was the best this or that since Chipper," Butler said. "I played third base, like he did. Everything sort of fit. It was a no-brainer to be a Chipper Jones fan."
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Butler's off to a strong start but he's got a long way to go to be the next Chipper Jones.