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936 comments Add your comment
ease19
March 31st, 2009
1:32 pm
Just as I was thinkin that it was time for a new blog…
Bravo
March 31st, 2009
1:37 pm
Congrats to Chipper.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
1:38 pm
Since the beginning of the 2006 season, Jones’ .342 average is the best among major league qualifiers, ahead of Albert Pujols (.338) and Ichiro Suzuki (.328).
In the summer of 2006, Jones began a torrid hitting stretch that has continued nearly unabated, with only an occasional one- or two-week slump, usually associated with a nagging injury.
Since June 24, 2006, he has a .356 average, .448 on-base percentage and .624 slugging percentage in 313 games, for a 1.072 on base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) with 70 homers and 228 RBIs.
In that period, Pujols hit .341 with a 1.050 OPS, albeit with 92 homers and 290 RBIs in 393 games.
Manny Ramirez hit .320 with a .985 OPS in 348 games in that same period, with 72 homers and 260 RBIs in that stretch. And Mark Teixeira hit .303 with a .964 OPS in 376 games, with 89 homers and 295 RBIs.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 31st, 2009
1:41 pm
Thanks Frank, Go Chipper!
c jonze
March 31st, 2009
1:41 pm
Great move to get this done before the season. This will free Chipper’s mind and his body will respond favorably. Anyone questioning this team’s front office today?
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:41 pm
We love our bologna in Utah!
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
1:42 pm
Those numbers are rather impressive…I guess some things really do get better with age:)
Tapate50
March 31st, 2009
1:44 pm
DOB, good show going on Wed at the Variety Playhouse! Too bad your a couple hundred miles south…
Andy
March 31st, 2009
1:44 pm
DOB, I’m sure you meant 2004 for Darrow’s TJ surguery…
Josh from Columbus
March 31st, 2009
1:46 pm
Braves front office just broke even.
-Furcal,-Peavy,-Burnett,-Griffey,-Smoltz
+Lowe,+Vazquez,+Chipper,+Kawakami,+Anderson
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:47 pm
I can see it now, back in 1994. OK kid, you blew out your elbow throwing spitballs at the blackboard. You need some Tommy Johnson surgery.
(as the doctors drag the ten year old kid kicking and screaming to the operating room!)
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
1:47 pm
Great stuff, DOB. by the way: “Darrow’s an interesting guy, a former college wrestler who dropped to sidearm after having Tommy John elbow surgery in 1994“… maybe a typo here?
Glad to see the Chipper deal done. Seems like a good deal for both sides.
Tomahawk210
March 31st, 2009
1:48 pm
Congrats to Chipper- you deserve it Hoss. The way he plays the game should be something kids look up to. He is a great team player and has done many great things for the Braves-including taking less money to have a competitive team year after year. Now he’s teaching the young guys his great hitting ways so when he does retire us fans can hopefully still have a great Braves team to cheer for. I am proud to wear my Chipper authentic white home jersey and proud to say he is one of the greatest hitters of all time and he plays for our Braves from start to finish.
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
1:48 pm
(sorry, didn’t mean to pile on…)
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
1:48 pm
I love Chipper Jones. What’s next on Frank Wren’s agenda? Long-term deals for Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, Yunel Escobar, and Jair Jurrjens I guess.
Mike in Savannah
March 31st, 2009
1:49 pm
Wow, some amazing stats there DOB. I remember reading about him tearing it up since June of ‘06, but didn’t realize how staggering those numbers were. Another great blog as usual.
garlick
March 31st, 2009
1:49 pm
PWHjort, that list looks about right.
John
March 31st, 2009
1:50 pm
Great stuff as always DOB. Re Darrow – he’s 25 and had TJ surgery in 1994, when he would have been 11 at the oldest? If that’s not a typo, I am intrigued. I have never heard of anyone that young getting TJ surgery (though perhaps this is more common than I realize).
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:51 pm
Josh from Columbus
When are you folks ever gonna learn, it was never Smoltz, Peavy, Burnett, Vazquez, Lowe and Kawakami. It was always going to be 3 of those guys. So, how did they just break even. I think more closely, they hit for the cycle this off season.
just sayin
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
1:51 pm
Mr. Wren has got me pumped two straight days! Chipper is the best and mets fans have to be sad today. Chipper deserved this and give credit to him and the agent in making sure this happens…
Long offseason complete
Tapate50
March 31st, 2009
1:52 pm
Darrows stats are pretty good. Groundball tendency around 73% and high K rates for a groundball pitcher. Keeps the ball in the park too… one HR in last 100+innings i think.
GTI in Chicago
March 31st, 2009
1:53 pm
You know, reading the thread near the end of the last blog, in regards to whether the Braves should pick up Hudson’s option for next year, a thought occurred to me:
The true surplus of starting pitching in the organization, what with prospects and current big money contracts, means that the Braves really have no choice but to bring Tommy Hanson up this season and give him a real, honest looksee in the majors. They have to get an honest evaluation of the talent he and the other pitching prospects have to offer the big club.
I like Tim Hudson, and I tend to be optimistic about his chances of coming back just fine from the TJ, but even if Glavine retires after this season, The Bravos are still gonna have one or two too many veteran pitchers signed to the staff. They’ll have no choice but to trade or release someone. Not just to clear room for Hanson, but also, what if Jo-Jo re-establishes his promise or Morton gets over the mental hump. Sure, Hudson would be relatively cheap at 12 Mil, but Jo-Jo would be even cheaper at $400,000.
I guess we’re all expecting to see Hanson pitch in Atlanta at some point this season, anyway, but that’s a motive that hadn’t occurred to me until today
BrandonC
March 31st, 2009
1:53 pm
Fried bologna is awesome.
Roger
March 31st, 2009
1:53 pm
Is that a typo that Darrow had TJ surgery in 1994? He would’ve been about 10 years old. I’m guessing it should’ve been 2004.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:54 pm
John
Safe to say that was a typo.
flange1
March 31st, 2009
1:54 pm
Thanks for the new blog DOB!
Good to lock up Chipper for 3/4 years.
I wonder if the Braves need to begin to search NOW for a backup that has some pop in his bat. I like Prado and Infante, but if we know we will have Chipper for 3/4 years, shouldn’t we look for someone who can back him up and hit with a bit more pop than Infante and Prado?
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
1:54 pm
A pitching surplus usually turns into a pitching deficit in a few months.
Ramblin Wrecker
March 31st, 2009
1:54 pm
This is sweet. I’m glad they were able to get this done.
One clarification on Rudy Darrow: you said he had tommy john surgery in 1994. Wouldn’t he have been 10 years old then?
chip off the ol block
March 31st, 2009
1:55 pm
Great to see Chipper signed
the Front Office of the Braves have done an amazing job of getting the best team out on the field, looking back at all of the “could have beens” I’m excited about this group of guys, we’re going places this year. This offseason yes we had our downtimes with missed chances, loss of players, but with the signing of Chip its the cherry on top of great offseason.
GO BRAVES
Mike in Savannah
March 31st, 2009
1:56 pm
This just in from the Braves front office… Frank Wren signs every side-arm pitcher because they have a similar delivery to Peter Moylan.
Wayne in Utah
March 31st, 2009
1:56 pm
Amen on the fried bologna (I have never liked the proper spelling of balloney)
N Nine
If we coulda just picked up Ryan Freel, it woulda been a perfect off season!
spotts
March 31st, 2009
1:57 pm
Ironic that Bobby likes bolagna
len
March 31st, 2009
1:57 pm
I am glad chipper is a brave for life, He called jake peavey, a.j burnette and d lowe to get help for the team in the offseason, always willing to take deffered money to help team ect.
kdbanks
March 31st, 2009
1:57 pm
Heck of a day!
dap01
March 31st, 2009
1:58 pm
Congrats Chipper and thanks for actually committing to being a Brave for life and not just saying that as a negiotating tactic.
You are the face of the Braves!
Will Francouer be a part of the Braves long term? I believe probably not. If he has a bad year, he will be gone. If he has a good year, his past contract negiotations say that he will be gone as well. Anyway, I hope he does well. He is very important to the success of the Braves season.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
1:59 pm
could someone please explain the allure of fried bolongna? I love the stuff as much as the next girl but I’ve never understood the point of frying it…
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:01 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief! Good stuff!
So now the Braves have their two best hitters under contract for four more seasons
Is that all? Only four more seasons? Dang…
…Moments like that, you can almost see the baton being passed.
Kinda gets me…teary-eyed…
cphizzle
March 31st, 2009
2:01 pm
how bout slappin it on the ol grille…now thats lip smackin good
Anders
March 31st, 2009
2:01 pm
Hey DOB – What happened to that 3 year at about $9 or $10 mil per you were telling us about sometime ago? I thought your number was low.
So now the Braves have two guys on the other side of 35 making a total of about $30 mil per. Good luck with that.
DAP
March 31st, 2009
2:02 pm
i usually have to read the word “bologna” several times before my head will let me think “buh-lone-eee”. my brain cant handle the weird spelling of that word very well.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:03 pm
cabravesfan I love the stuff as much as the next girl…
LOL! Ironically the next girl to post does not care for bologna…
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
2:04 pm
Wayne in Utah, I kid you not, I was watching highlights last night and they showed Freel catching a flyball and crashing into a wall. That’s when I thought about you! They were talking about how Baltimore will love his style of playing. Kinda like Aaron Rowand.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
2:05 pm
DOB,
Is that $3 million signing bonus a lump sum payment in 2010? If it is, it looks like Chipper will be banking $16 million next season.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:05 pm
McFann-
I think it is un-american to not like bologna;)
Is that all? Only four more seasons? Dang Was that sarcasm? Because the first thought I had when Iread that was “is it too early to sign Mac to an extension?”
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:06 pm
Chop Chop-
according to FOX Sports (I think) the signing bonus will be paid in $1 mill increments in Jan. over the next 3 years…DOB please correct me if that is wrong
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:07 pm
Anders, Have you ever heard of someone named Carlos Delgado? Plus, 14 million for Chipper is way, WAY below market value. Fangraphs always has him valued at over 30 million. I’m not saying that’s his actual value, but something like 18-20 seems right. Tim Dierkes said 2 years 36 million would be a fair extension for Chipper about 3 weeks ago. 3 years 42 million sounds pretty good for Atlanta.
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
2:08 pm
DAP_ we’ll cross you off for the spelling Bee competition….
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:08 pm
And the only people we have that are older than 35 making any kind of money are Glavine, Chipper, and Anderson. Anderson makes 2.5 million, Glavine makes between 1 and 4.5 million.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
Thats because you’re not a southern girl, cabravesfan.
Everything is better fried. I personally can’t stand cold “raw” bologna but I like it fried, burnt around the edges even, tastes a lot different.
Anders
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
PWjort – Delgado is making $12 mil this year, that’s it. His contract is up. Plus our oldest pitcher is 27.
Processed Meat (snuck through the SPAM filter)
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
i usually have to read the word “bologna” several times before my head will let me think “buh-lone-eee”. my brain cant handle the weird spelling of that word very well.
“buh-lone-eee”?!?!?
Baloney!
winterville
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
Hey Anders
What happened to you saying that Chipper was going to test the market and resign somewhere else. I thought that was a little crazy.
DAP
March 31st, 2009
2:09 pm
andersSo now the Braves have two guys on the other side of 35 making a total of about $30 mil per. Good luck with that.
and great deals, both of them. and as a mets fan, financial prudence might be where you have the least amount of leg to stand on.
The ghost of Will Ohman
March 31st, 2009
2:10 pm
Who woulda thought Anders would show up for this news. Haters gotta hate.
spotts
March 31st, 2009
2:10 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxTOq4×5xn0
winterville
March 31st, 2009
2:11 pm
Anders
Santana just turned 30.
winterville
March 31st, 2009
2:11 pm
And Livan is like 40 or 50.
DAP
March 31st, 2009
2:12 pm
PWHjort, dont forget about lowe.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:12 pm
Hey, Anders, how much will Delgado average from 2006-2009 (36-39 years old)? Answer: 14 million. Go kill yourself.
mbatl
March 31st, 2009
2:13 pm
“And the only people we have that are older than 35 making any kind of money are Glavine, Chipper, and Anderson.”
And Lowe.
I don’t think there’ any doubt that there are risks involved with both of those guys’ contracts. But, Lowe is out running stadium steps every morning, and Chipper, despite the tendency toward minor tweaks, is in great shape. It’s a calculated risk… let’s hope it pays off.
N Nine (eta5)
March 31st, 2009
2:14 pm
“Kinda gets me…teary-eyed…”
Aww_ More reasons to wear #16 outside the TED. No worries, he’ll get a fat extension when the right time comes.
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:14 pm
Ya I forgot Lowe. He’s 36, right? How old is Hudson, I want to say 33.
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:15 pm
cabravesfan–
Un-American? Uh-oh…um…I like salami, does that count for anything?
And nope, no sarcasm in that other post. Huh…I remember when they signed him to that contract, and I was like, “Wow! Six years!” Now it’s almost halfway over? Euh…I almost had that same thought you had!
spotts
March 31st, 2009
2:16 pm
No worries, he’ll get a fat extension when the right time comes.N Nine
Not if we have another young catcher ready. Or else he’ll get the Javy/Estrada treatment.
BrandonC
March 31st, 2009
2:16 pm
I love fried bologna burgers to. With chili, cheese, ketchup and mustard. I’m getting hungery now…
BravesFAN885
March 31st, 2009
2:17 pm
I was just looking at Hank Aaron’s stats for the later part of his career. Pretty interesting- he his his most home runs (47) in the ‘71 season, when he was 37, then over the next two years hit 34 and 40 home runs, respectively. Not saying Chipper is Hank Aaron, but just pointing out that another hall of famer (assuming Chipper goes) still had that power during the last few years of his career.
Josh H
March 31st, 2009
2:17 pm
DOB:
And some Mets fan on a blog somewhere actually tried to argue that Chipper was power-challenged. Those stats you quoted still have him up there with Pujols and Manny.
Bravesgal
March 31st, 2009
2:17 pm
Anders, your oldest pitcher is 27? Really? I don’t think so.
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
2:18 pm
Thanks, cabravesfan. $14 million per sounds about right. That’s more money than I’d like to pay a guy who will probably miss 30-40 games a year, but Chipper’s a great hitter and gives those “name recognition”-based fans a real reason to show up.
The main worry is 30-40 games a year becoming 50-60 games. Let’s just hope that doesn’t happen in the next couple of seasons. Let’s really hope that doesn’t happen this year.
stynes
March 31st, 2009
2:19 pm
Great news regarding Chipper. It’ll be awesome to have him around teaching his mojo to some of the other kids that are up and coming.
I was reading this article earlier today: http://soundingoff.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/29/1870071.aspx. I came across this quote that I found pretty entertaining and thought I’d pass long…
“[A's player] Jack Hannahan told the San Francisco Chronicle this week that he looked at [fellow A's player Jack] Cust’s glove after some dropped fly balls. Hannahan was stunned at how poorly the glove was broken in. In the big leagues, no less. Hannahan gave Cust another glove, properly cared for, and Cust’s play improved. The infamous quote from Hannahan, “Jack doesn’t know much about gloves.””
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
N Nine–
Yeah…And I got my #16 jersey and my #16 hat–sort of a matched-set, ya might say.
And I don’t know–In DOB’s Perfect Example, the visual I got of McCann standing there talking to a bunch of the guys while Chipper stands off at a distance…the baton being passed…don’t know, just kinda hit me.
Spotts–
I know it’s reality, but do not say things like that!
Seymour1948
March 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
Also, Chipper admitted that he wasn’t able to extend his swing like he needed to hit more power. He expects his power numbers to go back up this year.
Chuck
March 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
Anyone else see the irony of Chipper’s long term signing so close to Smoltz being in town? Big difference in price, of course, but it appears that Chipper once again took less money to stay home and help. That says a lot about the guy. Yeah, I know he’s not perfect, but you can’t argue with his salary demands during his whole career. He’s a team guy. Stand him up against manny – ha!
Jersey Gil
March 31st, 2009
2:22 pm
Good Job front office, Chipper for Life an Atlanta Braves, Best New so far This season.
My Chipper Jones HS baseball card when up on prices…..GO BRAVOS
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:25 pm
McFann-
Salami is not “technically” american (at least the real version isn’t) but I suppose I can let that slide:)
So- in an attempt to gather fuel to fire off some snarky response to Anders I tried to log on to the mets site and it up and choked on me-froze my computer so badly I had to reboot…guess i shouldn’t be all that suprised…
Cyrus
March 31st, 2009
2:25 pm
Did anyone hear that small explosion coming out of New York about two hours ago after the Braves signed Chipper to an extension since they know he may hit a gw home run or two in the next four years in there sparking new digs called Citi Field. Frank Wren and Chippers agent good job to get this one done behind closed doors for the most part and solidifies that Chipper next home will be in Cooperstown after he rips the Mets fans hearts out again and again in the next few years and I hope he teaches McCann and Franceour to do it as well. Good day in Braves land today.
HeywardTheFuture
March 31st, 2009
2:27 pm
DOB, who is scheduled to pitch today? Is Soriano any closer to getting back?
Andrew
March 31st, 2009
2:27 pm
i hope chip can get to 500
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
Hey Anders. What happened to you saying that Chipper was going to test the market and resign somewhere else. I thought that was a little crazy.
What?!? You mean Anders was actually wrong about something?!? In print? Holy Cornelia. David Wright won’t allow that in his inner circle, I’m guessing. Back to being among the little people for Anders.
David O'Brien
March 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
Chop Chop, no, it’s to be made in $1 mill increments on Jan. 15 in each of those years, 2010, 2011, 2012…
Some of you should get jobs copyediting. Yes, meant 2004, not 1994. When you’re typing these blogs as fast as you can off the top of your head, mistakes can happen.
Braveshater
March 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
How can the Braves justify this. The guy will miss half the season, sure he’s a great tutor, but what are payign TP for. Frank Wren is a joke, the Braves glory days are over.
cabravesfan
March 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
HeywardTheFuture-
Should be D Lowe starting…
keylargo
March 31st, 2009
2:30 pm
Congratulations Chipper – You just showed not only your loyalty but your business sense. For every one of those nasty redsox dollars Sir Smoltz got, you’ll make 10 Braves dollars with endorsements, good will, and living in ATL that go along with the lifetime Braves tag.
Smoltz can only wish it were him now.
Josh H
March 31st, 2009
2:30 pm
Braveshater:
Oh I don’t know…maybe because he’s one of the top hitters in baseball?
ncscoots
March 31st, 2009
2:31 pm
Anyone else see the irony of Chipper’s long term signing so close to Smoltz being in town?
Irony, my azz. That’s just a case of excellent timing by Frank Wren. Now, I’d be the last person to say Wren might have planned it that way for a little in-your-face action, but…
PWHjort
March 31st, 2009
2:31 pm
Braveshater, he’s worth way more than they’re paying him. Even if he misses 40-50 games. That’s how they justify it.
Andrew
March 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
anybody know where we can watch the press conference?
garlick
March 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
DOB, your life would be hell if we were one of your copy editors, you should be careful what you say around here about those types of things.
HeywardTheFuture
March 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
wow, i meant after Lowe, as in relievers.
Supes
March 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
Anders, that groan we heard from NY was thousands of METS fans coming to the understanding that the MET-Killer Chipper Jones isn’t going anywhere, and they’ll see him 18 times per season for the next 3 seasons (as long as he’s healthy)
Spin it anyway you want, Chipper Jones being a Brave for the next 3 seasons ia BAD thing for the NY Mets.
Oh, and you are ONE questionable elbow away from becoming a 3rd place team in the NL East.
Someone better be lighting candles, or whatever and pray that Santana holds up. I don’t wish injury on anyone NOT even a stinking Mets player, but it’s very probably he tears up his elbow at some point this season.
BravesFAN885
March 31st, 2009
2:33 pm
Cyrus – so does that mean chipper will have to name his next kid “Citi”?
Chop Chop
March 31st, 2009
2:33 pm
Did Chipper take less money?
No. He’s going to be getting paid $3 million more per year after this season. That’s not taking less money. That’s taking more money. Assuming that a bull market in free agency would be there for an Age 38 player in 2010 is just that: an assumption.
Chipper said he wasn’t going to take a discount this time. He was true to his word.
(By the way, Chipper might want to do Smoltz a solid and send Smoltzie on a round-trip to the Old Course at St. Andrews. The Smoltz debacle, and the resulting backlash, helped Chipper get that extra money.)
Mike in Savannah
March 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
I’m also guessing you meant “off the [top] of your head,” right DOB?
McFann :Ô:
March 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
cabravesfan Salami is not “technically” american
Yeah, I guess that’s true…but thank you for giving me a second chance.
But at least we cann agree when it comes to the America’s Pastime…and certain catchers…
Supes
March 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
Beyond happy for Chipper Jones, and the Braves. I’ll be able to wear my #10 jersey and hold my head up high, knowing it’s still good for 3 more years:)
Josh from Columbus
March 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
Is that what they call it in the ‘biz‘? Copyediting?
raymond
March 31st, 2009
2:35 pm
It’s like the Braves completly forgot about Chippers injury problems. It won’t be as bad as Hampton was, but before it’s over Chipper will be a 13 million per year player we can’t wait to be done with.
Ken Overstreet
March 31st, 2009
2:35 pm
South Boston Speedway in VA sells fried bologna “burgers” with mustard and pickles. Good Stuff!
TommyP
March 31st, 2009
2:35 pm
Hey, we were ALL wondering if this kid had Tommy John surgery at age 11. An honest curiousity, DOB.
Matt
March 31st, 2009
2:36 pm
Congrats to Chipper and all, but I don’t really like this move. If it were for less money, I’d be ok with it. But we’ll be dishing out $13 mil a year for him to play his usual 100 games? His batting average is definitely high, but his power numbers are going down as well. By the end of the contract, I think we’ll be paying for just an average 3rd baseman with a .300 average