Chipper Q&A, Pt. 2: Of fans, family, retirement, Hall of Fame, and more
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Entering his 18th season in the majors, Chipper Jones is again a focus of attention as the soon-to-be 39-year-old third baseman attempts to come back from major knee surgery, the second of his career.
Since the beginning of the 1995 season, he ranks among major league leaders in many major offensive categories with 2,488 hits (fifth), 1,503 runs (fourth), 436 home runs (eighth, tie), 1,491 RBIs (fourth), 1,403 walks (third) and 492 doubles (fifth).
Chipper Jones is beginning his 18th season with the Braves, the longest any current player has been with one team. (Jason Getz photo/AJC)
Jones has had one of the best spring trainings of his career, and is determined to defy skeptics who didn’t think he’d make it back — or doubted he could still be an integral part of a winning club if he did return. He said his surgically repaired knee has been pain-free for three weeks.
We sat down for a candid, wide-ranging Q&A before the team left spring training. This is the second part of the two-part interview (if you missed it, the first part is posted here).
How hard is it, as a ballplayer, to raise a family?
Probably the single most difficult thing to do as a professional ballplayer. Only baseball players, wives of baseball players and kids of baseball players can attest to how difficult it is day in and day out. I mean, you miss so many firsts. You miss so many opportunities to bond with your family. And at times, it puts a strain on your relationship.
It’s very difficult being away as much as we are. For example, we’ve been down at spring training for seven weeks, or I’ve been down here for seven weeks. All my kids are in school, and my wife came down for one week in February and just made it back down yesterday. So it’s been a month in-between seeing my wife and kids, and really the only reason she came down was because it’s our anniversary, just as a special occasion.
It’s very difficult. But you’ve got to trust each other, and you’ve got to have a strong woman. Because, you know, she’s basically a single parent for more than half the year.
Is it frustrating that fans don’t understand that?
I’ve never really gotten the feeling that fans have been frustrated with me. I think that’s one of the things that you have to learn as a baseball player – you’ve got to learn to say no. People don’t understand what your life is like on a daily basis, and that when the day is over, when your job is over, your main concern is to get home and kiss your kids before you tuck them into bed, or soak up whatever kind of time you can with them. And that the autographs and the public appearances have to be put on the back burner.
To a certain extent, when you hear frustration from fans it is a little disheartening. But you don’t hold a grudge, because they just don’t quite understand it.
What does hunting do for you, and it is similar to what golf does for some others?
I think so. I think everybody has their refuge, their place of tranquility. And for me it’s going out and climbing a tree, sitting there and experiencing nature. I mean, the actual harvesting of an animal is secondary, compared to what it does for me mentally. It allows me to recharge my batteries, make big decisions in my life, and the ability to be able to not be me for an extended period of time. I don’t have to worry about getting recognized, I don’t have to worry about cellphone reception, all that kind of stuff. It’s just a place where I can go and get away from everything.
How many guns do you own, and what’s the most expensive one?
Oh, I probably own 10 or 11 guns. The most expensive on the open market would probably be a gun that I didn’t actually pay for – Mizuno bought me a 7-millimeter Magnum that’s custom-made, just a beautiful gun. I’ve probably shot it maybe four or five times. They got it for me for winning MVP [in 1999], because they knew that I’d love it and I’d use it. But it’s too pretty to use. I mean, I don’t know how expensive it would be, but I would have to say of all the guns I own, if you put them up for sale that would probably be the most expensive one.
What was the favorite car you’ve owned. I know you once mentioned to me the T-top Camaro you had when you played at Macon and would blast rock ‘n’ roll on the stereo….
No, that was a Corvette. That was probably my favorite. My parents got me a Ford Probe for graduation. And when I signed with the Braves, I was having a lot of trouble with the Probe; somebody actually poured sand in my gas tank, and I just had tons of problems with it. And I just got to the point where I was like, you know what, I’m going to go out and get another car. I ended up getting the 1991 ZR1 Corvette, which was pretty similar to the Mercedes, but it was fun car. [Jones bought an expensive Mercedes-Benz later in his career and said after six months of running great, it “drove like a John Deere tractor.”]
Jones as a fresh-faced rookie in 1995. (Jason Heyward was 5 at the time.)
Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Is that possible? No, I don’t think I did. You’re talking about a 6-5, 240-pound behemoth of a 21-year-old. That’s part of his allure; he does things that most guys can’t do.
Did you ever tell him you did?
Oh, yeah. Most definitely. [Smiles.]
What’s the secret to you being able to seemingly flick the bat, not even have a great swing or a good pitch to hit, and still drive one 400-plus feet out of the ballpark, like you’ve done a few times in the past couple of years?
That’s just understanding your swing and understanding the mechanic of timing. Of timing a pitcher and making sure that your hands and your hips explode at the same time, and quite obviously the hand-eye coordination to be able to flush it. A lot of people have asked me that question. Obviously I swing a little bit bigger bat than most people. When you get that bigger bat into the right position and make solid contact, the ball’s going to travel a little bit farther. That’s the only way I can explain it.
How long does backspin take for a hitter to be able to develop? What’s the key to doing that? Is that a big thing for most home-run hitters?
Yes. I think backspin is the product of a sound swing. It comes from your mechanics being correct. When you get a level to downward plane going through the strike zone, you’re going to get backspin. If you have a slight uppercut, or a drastic uppercut, you’re going to promote topspin.
What size bats are you using, and how has that changed in recent years?
I’m swinging 35-inch, 33-ounce. I’ve gone down an ounce from three or four years ago, just because I went through a phase in my career where I was having trouble squaring up the fastball. If I have to eat a little crow and make a little adjustment in to start centering fastballs again, then you’ve got to do it. It took long enough for me to make that adjustment because I thought I’d be bull-headed and continue to try the same things that have always been successful for me. Not until I swallowed my pride and went down an ounce did I start centering balls again.
Biggest bat you ever used in a game?
Probably 36-36, it was one of Julio Franco’s bats.
That was to be my next question, whether you could have hit with Julio Franco’s huge bats.
There’s no doubt I could hit with his bat. Hit effectively is a different story.
Did you lift more weights when you were a young player, more upper-body work then or now?
I would say I’ve lifted more weights in the past year, for obvious reasons, than I have in the past. But my workout regimen has remained pretty constant and consistent over 20 years.
Mets fans have a love/hate -- or love-to-hate -- relationship with Chipper Jones, who has tormented them with big hits and a famous comment in which he suggested it might be time for them to switch to wearing Yankees gear for the postseason.
Do you think you’ll be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and is it important to you?
All I can say is, I’m proud of my resume. I have no control over whether I make it or not. You throw the best resume up that you can. I know I’ve done a lot of things that a lot of other players haven’t, players who are in the Hall of Fame. Would I be disappointed? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. Any guy who is on the cusp of being Hall of Fame-worthy, I think if they answered you honestly they would tell you there were a little disappointed if they didn’t make it.
The possibility of being elected on the first ballot — is that special to you?
I haven’t even … it would be, yeah. I mean, the reasoning behind it. How close were you? All those things would factor in. I don’t think that I’ve received enough, uh … I don’t know if I’m quite popular enough to be a first-ballot guy. Just for the simple fact that you play in a smaller market. That’s just my opinion.
Should Maddux be the first unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and do you think he has a chance?
Oh, yeah, I think he’s got a chance. You’re talking about the best pitcher of the last, what, 50 years? I mean, I have no qualm with saying that. He’s certainly the best I’ve ever seen. I had a front-row seat for a long time. Of all the pitchers that I faced over the course of my career, and you’re talking about Clemens and Randy and Pedro and people like that, I would have no problem pitting the mid- to late-90s Greg Maddux against any of those guys.
What’s the hardest thing about getting older?
Something hurts every day. [Smiles.] But it’s not my knee.
What have guys like veterans Eric Hinske and David Ross meant to you over the past year or two, in terms of your enjoyment of the game?
You’ve got to have those class clowns in here to keep it refreshing, to keep it light and loose. To kind of knock out the monotony of having to come in here day in and day out for seven months. It’s guys like them that make it fun to come to the ballpark. You know, we don’t literally have to come to be here until 3:30, 4 o’clock. But most of the guys are in here at 1:30, 2, because we all like hanging out together.
When Jones limped off the field with assistance from Braves head trainer Jeff Porter on Aug. 10, many doubted the third baseman would play again.
So, how is the knee?
The knee is great. I’ve played pain-free for three weeks now. I reached a certain point of working it day in and day out, where it just stopped hurting. And I couldn’t be happier. I’m so, so jacked up to get this season started.
How many games do you hope to play?
[Smiles.]. Every one of them.
How much longer could you play, and how much longer will you play?
I’ll play as long as I continue to have fun and as long as I continue to be productive and help this team win. I’m certain that, you know, contract status will have a little bit to do with that. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
(This was the second part of a two-part interview, a condensed version of which ran in Tuesday’s print editions of the AJC. You can read Part 1 of the full interview here.)
– David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog.
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191 comments Add your comment
Tony
March 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
First?
Tony
March 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
Holy crap. And second.
Sowega
March 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
Third.
BravesQueen
March 29th, 2011
2:08 pm
I guess the rest of ‘em haven’t made their way over yet.
Sowega
March 29th, 2011
2:08 pm
Chipper, just wanted to say I’m pulling for you big time this year. Maybe the knee will hold up enough to give us a sendoff like Tom Berenger in Major League: win the pennant on a suicide squeeze after you’ve called your shot. That would be a good way to go out.
Chipper Q&A: His past and future, on and off field | Atlanta Braves
March 29th, 2011
2:08 pm
[...] (Pt. 2 of the Chipper Q&is available here.) [...]
Reid in EAV
March 29th, 2011
2:12 pm
“I’m so, so jacked up to get this season started.”
Me too, Chipper! Me. Too.
BREAM IS SAFE! SAFE!
March 29th, 2011
2:17 pm
always been a huge fan of chipper…..loyal as hell and could have left for more money at anytime…..and still he stayed….even when idiot fans bash him…..first ballot HOFer no doubt….and i’m pulling for him this year more than ever…..take it to ‘em chip!
RHR
March 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
Somebody say something.
RHR
March 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
So I can be #10th!
SweetPunkin
March 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
I’ve just read part 1 and 2 and all I can say is that I know I picked the right guy to be a fan of. I’ve been hooked since I moved to GA in 95. Thanks so much for the interview..made my day a whole lot better! <3 See you Opening Day Chipper!
JoshTown
March 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
Great interview DOB. Love Chipper’s candor and honesty. Always have. Whether it’s his last season or not, dude is a stud and deserves every accolade he’s gotten. This is still Chipper Jones’ team. Good luck #10!
labelsareforcans
March 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
“Only baseball players, wives of baseball players and kids of baseball players can attest to how difficult it is day in and day out. I mean, you miss so many firsts.”
I wonder if deployed soldiers and their families might know a little better?
SweetPunkin
March 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
@labelsareforcans .. wow, think you took that sentence out of context!
wheelz007
March 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
More good work from DOB.
BartBuzz
March 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
David…
Two great interviews with Chipper. Thanks for sharing.
bruce
March 29th, 2011
2:34 pm
good stuff! I noticed that the radio promo ads are talking about Chipper again, after not doing so at the beginning of spring training…
Frankie Knuckles
March 29th, 2011
2:38 pm
Fine work Dave! I could listen to Chipper talk all day.
John OTC
March 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
I think Chipper got jobbed twice in his career. First, he should have been ROY in 1995 and second, he should have had a gold glove in 2008.
There is no doubt he has been one of the greatest Braves players of all time.
Frankie Knuckles
March 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
Chipper’s gonna be a heck of a color commentator or batting coach one day.
wheelz007
March 29th, 2011
2:40 pm
I think most of us fans are jacked about this season also.
Bravesfan86
March 29th, 2011
2:42 pm
Labelsareforcans,
Don’t be smartass…he was talking exclusively about those involved in the sport of baseball, not the world population in its entirety. Goodness.
EB
March 29th, 2011
2:50 pm
I got chills reading this interview!! Thank you SO much for doing this interview (and of course, thanks Chipper for doing it too). As he said, I am so “jacked up to get this season started!”
alimc
March 29th, 2011
2:50 pm
very cool-i love hearing/reading interviews with the players because it makes you feel like you know them on a personal level (i wish!!!)
GO BRAVES!
KnightInATL
March 29th, 2011
2:53 pm
Great interview, DOB. Thanks. Here’s to the Braves in 2011. CAN’T WAIT!
Richard Dawson
March 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
Chipper to fans: “Kiss my a**”. Classless redneck thug. Wish we had a REAL leader here in Atlanta all those years.
Travel more than Chipper
March 29th, 2011
3:04 pm
Actually that comment about the travel was right on. I am generally a Chipper fan, but he has made similar comments in the past. I travel pretty much all year for work (and make a decent salary, but far, far below MLB salaries, and my meal per diem is well below what he gets….but I digress). He made the choice to travel for work, just like I did. Depending on post-season, he has a work-year that lasts 7-8 months, much more time off than I get. And for the actual season, he is home for half of the time. So yes, extensive travel for work is a pain, but he makes it sound like its only a burden on athletes. And like the other comment above, that doesn’t even address the impact of those who are gone 6-12 months at a time for military service.
Robert
March 29th, 2011
3:09 pm
Would love to see him bounce back and have a flat out awesome year.
That’s unlikely, however, even given the spring he has had
But if he stays halfway healthy, he will still give you a great OBP, even if it’s without the raw power or speed he once had.
I’d be more than happy if he put up Mark Grace-like numbers – a .380-plus OBP can be in the lineup any day (even if not every day)
big o
March 29th, 2011
3:11 pm
Way to go Chipper !!!! Stay healthy dude !!! still waiting on your picks DOB !!! GO BRAVES !!!!!
WV Braves Fan
March 29th, 2011
3:12 pm
Thanks for the great interview, David. Thoughtful questions and answers. It seems like an understatement for Chipper to describe himself as “on the cusp of being Hall of Fame-worthy.” He is beyond that cusp. I hope he joins Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Bobby Cox in the Hall of Fame the first year he is eligible.
Reginald
March 29th, 2011
3:13 pm
Great Interview, people who are Braves fans who don’t like Chipper are either mentally retarded or not truly Braves fans.
And ‘John OTC’, great point. Nomo getting the ROY over Chipper was complete garbage as well as Wright getting the gold glove over him in 2008. I think Wright must’ve known he didn’t deserve it because his defense has been brutal since then.
Interesting about Ripken too. I got the feeling that Franceour might have kind of become a jerk in his last year with the Braves. Anyone hear anything about that?
alimc
March 29th, 2011
3:13 pm
“How hard is it, as a ballplayer, to raise a family?”
DOB asked about how hard it is as a ballplayer, not how hard it is for someone in the military, or someone who travels doing other kinds of work. im sure Chipper understands that other people DO travel, and yes, some more than he does…but that wasn’t the question.
kk
March 29th, 2011
3:22 pm
I was having a lot of trouble with the Probe; somebody actually poured sand in my gas tank, and I just had tons of problems with it.
I can’t imagine why anyone would want to put sand in Chipper’s tank. Doesn’t he already have a ton of sugar in there? Fruit booty.
shadetree
March 29th, 2011
3:22 pm
Geez people. Quit taking Chipper’s interview and turning into some stand about yourself. That’s wahts wrong with everybody. Just shut up. Dang.
shadetree
March 29th, 2011
3:27 pm
Hoss is a stud and I hope he goes out that way. I’m 55 and have watched all the Braves and Chipper is by far the most consistent of any Bravo. Now I’m talking everyday players and not picthers folks. That’s another article.
The only thing Hoss has every done that I didn’t like is when he gets a game winning hit (206 I believe), when he circles the bases and the game is over he runs from his teammates instead of into the pile. That all started when that idiot Giles would hit Braves helmets so hard it would hurt.
Mets fans need to wear Yankee stuff. Now thats priceless.
eric the elder
March 29th, 2011
3:29 pm
labelsareforcans, the moment I saw your post, I knew there would be people jumping all over you. Hero worship does that.
How refreshing it would have been to see hear Chipper say, “Yeah, being away from the family is tough. but nothing like our military guys and gals who are repeatedly deployed for a year at a time. And at a tiny fraction of what I make.”
Chipper values his family time so much that he spends much of it in trees waiting for animals to “harvest.” It’s not Chipper – - it’s all of these self-indulgent athletes who live in a bubble. But I will cheer them on, especially Chipper.
ben
March 29th, 2011
3:35 pm
richard dawson you are a jackass.
Travel more than Chipper
March 29th, 2011
3:36 pm
alimc….I hear you, and perhaps he does understand….but as I noted, I have heard him comment before on this topic…..previous occasions, his wording was even stronger, almost to the point of complaining. If I were him, leading the pretty darned charmed life of a professional athlete, I would temper that type of comment. Having said that, and as I noted above, I am generally a Chipper fan. I think he goes about his business the right way, has taken on the role of clubhouse veteran (or perhaps sage at this point), and is a quiet leader. I think he will be and should be a HOF’er…..perhaps not first ballot though.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
3:37 pm
Great interview? Please. Another fluff piece turned out by The O’Brainless One, lol.
A “great” interview would be asking some tough questions. The next tough question that O’Brainless One asks will be his FIRST.
I pity you so called Braves fans who put the needs of a has-been, over the hill, injury prone, shell of his former self over the best interest of the team.
If O’Brainless One had any balls, he would have asked The Dipper how he felt about some fans clamoring for Jason Heyward to be batting 3rd in the line-up? Or would he accept a demotion in the batting order if he struggles like he has in the past 2 years? Or better yet, will he follow through on his past statements that he would retire if he doesnt play up to the level he’s accustomed to playing (meaning that he will forsake the remaining money on his contract)?
The Dipper is not a team player. He has $28 mil left on the last 2 years of his contract. He’s playing for the money….and he knows that he has the Braves bent over a barrel when it comes to a public relations standpoint (after all, most so called Braves fans just cant get the smell of his jock out of their noses).
Matty Brave
March 29th, 2011
3:41 pm
There are some dumb ass braves fans. I hope Chipper wins come back player of the year. Then all the damn haters will be saying how they loved him this whole time. Bunch of panzies. One dumb ass called him a thug…really? You sir are stupid and the braves would be better off if you were a marlins fan. Can’t wait for the first pitch. Go Braves!
Willie Mo
March 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
@ Richard.
you must be joking. one of the best players/leaders on the field anyone could ask for. ever wonder why all these years the younger players go to him for help? its not just because hes old moron. its because he knows how to play the game. what a joke
timthebrave
March 29th, 2011
3:45 pm
We are expecting big things out of Chipper. He definitely makes the Braves lineup more dangerous with him in it. It will be really big for him to stay healthy so we can keep Prado in left field. I am really cheering for him this year….but then again I always have…Go Braves!
timthebrave
March 29th, 2011
3:48 pm
Foghorn Leghorn, After you kiss Chippers ass you can kiss mine.
alimc
March 29th, 2011
3:49 pm
I <3 Matty Brave!!
Bob the Blogger
March 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
I must admit when I saw Chipper go down in August, I thought I had just seen him make his last play. I’m not sure what motivated him to do all of the rehab and come back with such passion, but sometimes as we get older, we learn to appreciate things more then when we were younger.
Ted Williams hit .388 and won a batting title when he was 39, and Aaron hit 40 HRs and hit .301 at age 39. Maybe Chipper can crank out one more productive year.
Mitchell
March 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
What’s the deal with the question about fans not understanding about players’ family lives?
That doesn’t make any sense.
I don’t care about their family life other than obviously it would be tough to be away from your kids for months at a time.
I don’t think anybody doesn’t understand that.
southern hope
March 29th, 2011
3:57 pm
DOB, I”m excited about opening day. But what I”m really excited about is the return of the DOB daily blog…not that you haven’t been writing it all ST but I’ve been holding myself back until now from reading about the Braves….because I have a tendency to get *way* too involved with it.
Mitchell
March 29th, 2011
3:59 pm
Anyway, I think he’s going to have a good year.
He seems like kind of a new guy. I would have figured he wouldn’t have made it this far without re-injuring himself or breaking down a little.
And I know it’s spring training but he was tearing it up. I’d like to see that when we start playing real games.
If he can get back to 2008 or even early 2009 Chipper and if this team can stay relatively healthy, the Phillies will have almost no chance.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
…The Dipper will be 39 in April. He’s been injury prone the past two years….production and batting average is WAY DOWN!
Yet, many of you expect the GHOST of Chipper Jones to suddenly reappear…..and put up MVP like numbers and win Comeback player of the year?
Talk about being out of touch with reality, lol!
Chipper Jones “left the building” 2 years ago. Yet many of you so-called Braves fans are as disillusioned as Elvis fans are who actually think that Elvis is still alive, lol!
I would love to be wrong about The Dipper. I’ll be happy to come eat some online crow if it happens. However, I suspect that after 2 months of battling injuries…little power….mounting errors in the field……many of you so called Braves fans will point out that The Dipper has a .400 OBP. My response will be “wow”, lol! How clueless many of you continue to be.
We need MUCH MORE than a .400 OBP from a #3 hitter. We need consistent fear and the ability to drive the ball all over the field. You same fools who were ready to give Jordan Schafer the Rookie of the Year award after he put up “impressive” Spring Training numbers in 2009…..are the same ones who have already given The Dipper the Comeback Player of The Year award. And who can forget how Jeff Francoeur came out like “gangbusters” the first month of the 2009 season after spending the previous off season with the hitting coach guru from the Texas Rangers? Francoeur soon fizzled out like a dead f.a.r.t…..resulting in a trade to the Mets.
Let’s see how The Dipper’s body holds up after a month, after two months of having to play every day (or even after taking one day a week off a week)? Let’s see how his body holds up when he has to play 9 innings on back-to-back-to-back nights because the Braves are in a tight game….then get back with me.
I put little stock in Spring Training numbers. Thursday is when I’ll start paying attention.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
Bob the Blogger…..you bring up the fact that both Ted Williams and Hank Aaron both put up MVP like numbers at the age of 39 (which is how old The Dipper will be in April).
Why dont you go and look up what numbers that Ted Williams and Hank Aaron put up with they were 37 and 38 years old as well….and compare them to The Dipper’s numbers the past two years (when he was 37 and 38).
My point is that you cant just bring out numbers that other players churned out…and just assume and hope that another player will be able to do it…..just because he put up great numbers in the past. If The Dipper had put up great numbers and stayed healthy the past 2 years….then your post would have some validity.
However, it was a pretty sad, pathetic attempt to live in the land of fantasy and delusion….that other so-called Braves fans live in.
GOLF SWING SECRET . INFO » Chipper Q&A, Pt. 2: Of fans, family, retirement, Hall of Fame, and more - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
March 29th, 2011
4:10 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Pierson Brave
March 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
It is a shame that there are “fans” who can’t take an interview for what it is. I would be sure that his comments were tailored to the sport of baseball. I always laugh out loud when I read people getting their panties in a wad over some comment/ answer given to a question. The complaining by those of you on this blog smacks of jealously. Grow up!
woman in the throes
March 29th, 2011
4:14 pm
Great read DOB. As I said, I love me some Chipper but I think he needs to listen to THIS J.JOHNSON TUNE to maybe gain a little perspective. I don’t begrudge ballplayers or anyone else making whatever the market will bear but life’s tough all over.
timthebrave
March 29th, 2011
4:19 pm
Yeah a .400 OBP stinks. Here are the players in MLB with a .400 OBP. You point out the bad players on this list
Joey Votto
Miguel Cabrera
Albert Pujols
Josh Hamilton
Joe Mauer
Shin-Soo Choo
Prince Fielder
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
4:24 pm
timthebrave….uh, did you happen to compare the power numbers of those you were so kind of list in your 4:19pm post, snapperhead…to the “power outage” numbers of The Dipper?
You are so typical of the average so called Braves fan who are delusional.
Hey, I have two feet, just like all those players that you listed. Does that mean that I should be hitting #3 in the Braves batting order, lol?
bravesgrl4life
March 29th, 2011
4:26 pm
I love how some of you people claim to be Braves fans and yet want to trash one of the best players to ever wear the Atlanta uniform. Sure, I love and support military members who spend months and even sometimes years away from their families, and I am sure Chipper does too. And those of you that travel for your jobs, well good for you, but you, too chose the career that would require you to do that. So don’t go bustin’ Chipper on his choice to do that. Talk about pot calling the kettle black
As someone exactly 6 months older than Chipper Jones, and having lived a much less colorful and travel-filled life, I think it’s great to see him out there this year. He is going to show the young guys just how it’s done.
So, if you don’t like Chipper, get the heck off a blog about him and leave those of us who appreciate the Hoss the heck alone!
bravesgrl4life
March 29th, 2011
4:27 pm
Rant over, but reading those kinds of comments after the day I’ve had kinda gets me riled up
Jay
March 29th, 2011
4:32 pm
We love ya Chipper! Keep doing what you do and we will be there to support you all the way to the HOF! Go Braves!!!
woman in the throes
March 29th, 2011
4:32 pm
bravesgrl4life, feel better:) No panties in a wad here and certainly don’t hate the Braves or Chipper. Just sayin’, we can all use a little perspective sometimes. Maybe I took his comment wrong as did some others but I don’t think less of him for saying it.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
4:38 pm
bravesgrl4life…….I am 3 months older than Chipper Jones. I was a fan of Chipper Jones. However, Chipper Jones no longer plays for the Braves. The Dipper replaced Chipper Jones 2 years ago.
I said this in the last blog when making reference to Bill Walsh’s contention that it is better to get rid of a play “a year early….than a year late”. He traded Joe Montana (who is more of a Hall of Famer than The Dipper will ever be), even though Montana had a couple of good years left. However, he had Steve Young waiting in the wings….who ended up winning the MVP soon after Montana was traded….as well as the Super Bowl in 1994.
The Braves have a similar situation as far as someone waiting in the wings to replace The Dipper in the #3 slot of the order with Jason Heyward.
As far as you whining about your fantasy land, fluff filled memories of The Dipper being ruined by my posts…….TOO BAD, LOL!
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
4:40 pm
Jay….you want The Dipper to keep doing what he’s being doing?
Doing? I guess you want to see him keep getting hurt and hitting with little power and low batting average like he has the past two years?
Yet you probably consider yourself to be a real Braves fan, lol. This blog is always good for laughs, lol.
bravesgrl4life
March 29th, 2011
4:46 pm
Foghorn, notice you never answered DOB’s question on the Part 1 blog.
Honestly, I think a lot of you haters wish you could have Chipper’s life. Jealousy doesn’t look good on anyone.
bravesgrl4life
March 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
And, I suppose you are your peak performance, too, huh, Foghorn? Honestly, can you still do some of the things you could do in 1995, 2000, 2008? I don’t think so.
bfred
March 29th, 2011
4:48 pm
Out of curiosity, Foghorn, show me another A-grade player who has voluntarily restructured his contract so that his club could afford to spend it making the rest of the team better. In it for the money my @ss. He is back this year because he 1. still enjoys playing the game and can contribute and 2. recognizes that this team may be a winner. I guarantee he would play for free if it ensured a World Series ring.
Jerry Blooger
March 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
Foghorn go tell your parents your on the computer again
bfred
March 29th, 2011
4:51 pm
Also Foggy, Fredi has already shown he is not Bobby by sending down some guys who historically would have been kept over promising but unproven rookies. If Jones isn’t producing in the 3 spot I believe he will find himself dropped deeper into the order, likely swapped with Heyward.
Lifelong Braves Fan
March 29th, 2011
4:54 pm
….I love all the Chipper haters….you guys can kiss my….and Larry’s…ass!
dre
March 29th, 2011
4:58 pm
Foghorn – well said, thank you. Finally someone making sense.
Lifelong Braves Fan
March 29th, 2011
5:01 pm
….and another thing. A small percentage of the population can do the things that Chipper and other MLB players can do physically. They are paid large sums of dough to do it. That’s how that business works. It’s sort of the same thing in the real world….if you’re the best mechanic, best doctor, best burger flipper, whatever. If you’re the best at what you do, you probably are rewarded by getting paid more. Part of the problem with people today is that they THINK they deserve more than what they’re worth…. Earn what youre worth….and I think Chipper has more than done that. For those that get hung up on these guys making millions of dollars for what they do…..maybe you should’ve chosen a different career path. Wealth envy….it’s ugly!…Okay…off the soap box…going back to flipping burgers..
timthebrave
March 29th, 2011
5:05 pm
Foghorn Leghorn, I will take someone in the 3rd spot in the batting order with a .400 OBP with 0 HR. If have have someone in the 3 hole getting on base at a .400 clip with Mac and Uggla behind him than the Braves will be doing really well. Go root for the Mutts hater.
Trojan
March 29th, 2011
5:10 pm
Play as long as you want. You are the greatest Alt. Brave ever!
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
5:11 pm
bravesgrl4life….First, David O’Brainless One’s juvenille question to me in the first part of this fluff piece of a blog is just indicative of his ability to ask “follow up” questions. Instead of actually refuting specifically the contentions I made in my posts….he chose the “uh, did he still your girlfriend or lunch money while growing up” retort.
The fact that some of you lapped it up just shows that why snake oil men back in the day were so successful peddling their “goods” all over the south. You guys will believe anything.
Bat Masterson
March 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
Foghorn Leghorn (PL) _
Francoeur wants you to come out to his place for a sleep over. Maybe you can give him some more financial advice. Tell him, and us, how smart it was for him to turn down the Braves contract offer, again.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
5:14 pm
bravesgrl4life….second, I know that I cant do things today that I did earlier in life. However, I’m not expected to be paid or given a free pass in a pathetic attempt to re-live past glory, lol. Fans like you simply cant separate what used to be Chipper Jones….from The Dipper who is currently wearing the Braves uniform.
They are two different players.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
5:16 pm
bfred……what do you base your contention on The Dipper being able to contribute? He’s two years older and coming off two injury prone, unproductive seasons.
39 year old men with that kind of track record….DO NOT rebound and put up MVP like numbers. They dont even have productive seasons. They certainly dont have seasons left in them that justify being paid $14 mil over the next two years.
Ken Stallings
March 29th, 2011
5:18 pm
The only reason there is even a slight question mark about Chipper in the Hall of Fame is because of the noted lunacy of some of the BBWAA voters!
The latest being Roberto Alomar! There is no way a voter can justify leaving him off their ballot his first year of eligibility! A total humiliation of the voters — though those who do that sort of thing are too smug to care what others think of them!
Cardog10
March 29th, 2011
5:20 pm
I watch the Braves to see Chipper play. Game isn’t half as exciting to me when he’s out of the lineup. Good luck Chipper, I look forward to it.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
5:21 pm
timthebrave………you dont know anything about baseball if you really believe that a .400 OBP with 0 homers is acceptable from someone hitting in the #3 spot of the order.
I have yet to hear a real, legit argument stating how the Braves offense will be better with The Dipper hitting 3rd and Heyward hitting 6th…as opposed to my contention that Heyward should be hitting 3rd and The Dipper 6th.
Getting Heyward as many at-bats in crucial situations is what will give the Braves the best chance to win….not giving welfare at-bats to a punch and Judy hitter.
I want to see the Braves win…….PERIOD. You go root for the Mets.
Bat Masterson
March 29th, 2011
5:23 pm
Foghorn_
Before I go I would just like to take a minute and tell you, of all the colossal idiots I have seen commenting on these blogs you are the MF’ing champion, hands down. Congrats!
Jobo
March 29th, 2011
5:23 pm
Foghorn..”.I know that I cant do things today that I did earlier in life”
We can only hope that 1 day soon 1 of those things will include not being able to blog.
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
5:33 pm
foghorn– real braves fan? what you probably are one of the bandwagoners when we starting winning– chippers skill may have declined, but that does not mean he cannot put up decent numbers this year– i been a brave fan since i was 8 for 53 years, and ive seen a lot of players skill decline as they became older, but as a real fan i still respected and appreciated them, i did not rag on them when they were near the endo of their career- but appreciated them for what they c=had done and continued to do– eddie matthews skill delined tremedously his last year as a brave but he still hit 20 homers that year. if chipper can hit close to 300 hit 20 homers drive in between 70 and 80, what is wrong with that? freddi is not booby if chipper does not produce in the 3 hole he will be moved down– All the players to a man sd that chiiper swung the bat better this spring then they have seen since 2008. are they all lying?
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
5:39 pm
Bat Masterson……Brian McCann cost himself WAY MORE MONEY by signing the 2007 contract…then Francoeur lost when he didnt sign the 2007 offer by the Braves.
Here’s why:
From 2007 to 2010…Brian McCann made $11.3 mil (including $1 mil signing bonus in 2007. During the same 4 years…Jeff Francoeur made $9.25 mil.
Are you telling me that Brian McCann was only $2 mil better than Jeff Francoeur during those 4 years combined?
If Francoeur signed the McCann contract back in 2007, he would have made $2 mil more. However, Francoeur could have made many millions more if he had panned out like McCann has on the field. McCann cost himself way more than $2 mil when he signed that contract.
I’m not dogging McCann for signing that contract. It obviously benefited the Braves from a team payroll standpoint. If McCann’s happy, more power to him.
I’m just refuting your position that Francoeur cost himself a boatload of money by not signing the contract that McCann did in 2007. If Francoeur flourishes in K.C. this year….then he could very well recoup a lot of that money he missed out on. I know, a big if….but still, possible.
old man
March 29th, 2011
5:42 pm
What if Chipper did something nutty like hit .315, 28HR, 117 RBI? That would be incredibly fun to watch. It’s not completely out of the question. It would be one of the top couple of story lines for the whole league. And would lock down first ballot HOF. I’m not a huge Chipper fan generally, but daggonit that would be fun.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
5:47 pm
old man…..you might as well add in your 5:42 pm post that “wouldnt it be nice to win the Mega Millions lottery” as well?
I get that you was one of the so-called Braves fans who said “wouldnt it be nice to see Tom Glavine and John Smoltz” come back in 2009 and win 20 games?
gd from nz
March 29th, 2011
5:49 pm
I can’t see how you can not like Chipper, just a classy guy. He could teach a heck of a lot of professional athletes how to conduct themselves. The day he retires will be a sad day for professional sports, not just the Altanta Braves. I hope for his sake he gets to go out on his own terms, that it’s not injury that forces his hand.
iFrech
March 29th, 2011
5:54 pm
foghorn: you’re an idiot.
you are not a braves fan, you want one of the players of your own team to fail.
old man
March 29th, 2011
5:54 pm
I’ve scanned some of the posts, and see a lot of “doubting dipperites.” Even if you don’t like Chipper, think he’s been overpaid for the past two years, wish he had not come back so we could sign someone else, even if you think all that, you have to focus on today. If you have a guy–any guy–who played a ton all Spring and hit .407, slugged over .746, with a 1.20 OPS, you have to say I’m glad he’s on my team, and not the Phillies, and right now he’s worth every penny we’re paying him, and he’s gonna bat third, up to the very moment he proves he is tanking again. So what is there to talk about?
Bat Masterson
March 29th, 2011
5:55 pm
Bat Masterson……Brian McCann cost himself WAY MORE MONEY by signing the 2007 contract…then Francoeur lost when he didnt sign the 2007 offer by the Braves.
Here’s why:
From 2007 to 2010…Brian McCann made $11.3 mil (including $1 mil signing bonus in 2007. During the same 4 years…Jeff Francoeur made $9.25 mil.
Are you telling me that Brian McCann was only $2 mil better than Jeff Francoeur during those 4 years combined? _ Foghorn
Man you don’t care how dumb you come off as, do you. McCann signed a contract that insured him lifetime security. His contract is guaranteed, so if something had happened to him he would be fine. This year and the next is when you separate the wheat from the chaff regarding Heap and Frenchy. Heap has a 12 million option in 2013 and will be only 29 at the end of his contract. If he stays on track he will sign another large free agent deal or extension, Frenchy will be looking for a part time gig.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
Old man….Jake Fox (career back-up 3rd baseman, catcher, outfielder)…hit 10 homers this spring for the Orioles.
My point is that hitting bombs off guys like Al Albuquerque in Spring Training, off guys wearing jersey numbers in the 90’s…..does not mean that they are going to put up MVP type numbers in the regular season.
Dan Uggla and Brian McCann only hit 1 homer each in the Spring. Does that mean that they will struggle to hit for power in the regular season?
It isnt that I want to see The Dipper fail. It’s that I just dont see him succeeding. Again, if I’m wrong, I’ll be happy to eat crow (because Chipper Jones returning to the Braves would probably result in the Braves winning games). However, I just dont see Chipper Jones returning. We are stuck with The Dipper.
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
6:01 pm
foghorn take you chipper hating idiot remarks and stick them where the sun dont shine– you are showing how stupid you are a real fan is loyal to his team and palyer insteading of raging and hoping for failure imy jock strap is more a fan than you how dare you question me as a fan i have lived and died brave baseball since i was 8
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
6:04 pm
you want to rag on someon rag on sherril he does not belong on this team– chipper does
bfred
March 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
Fogleg, did I say MVP like numbers? Of course not, but nice try putting words in my mouth.
In 95 games before going down with the MCL tear, and despite other injuries up to that point, he went .265/10/46 with a .386 OBP. If he plays 130 this year that’s a pace for 14HR and 63RBI. If the OBP is close to .386, he will be contributing. Plus, who exactly is he holding back? No one that I can see.
jacob
March 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
I think some of you people are trying to pick apart comments to write controversy. It doesn’t matter how anyone responds to your comments either because you’ll just answer with by making statements only you can make sense of. Still in response…
Some of you are taking his comments about travel way out of context. First he was obviously talking in context of the baseball world not our military. He was asked how hard raising a family as a BASEBALL player was and he said it was the single hardest thing for a BASEBALL player to do. Why should we require him to compare it to the military to be the right answer? He wasn’t asked about how hard his job was in comparison to other professions. He wasn’t comparing his life to the military but to the average fan.
The average fan has no idea what it’s like to travel and be away from your family that often. Almost zero fans have any idea what it’s like to travel, be away from your family, AND be publicly scrutinized and publicly demanded the way Chipper and other professional athletes are.Travel More Than Chipper, you may travel more than he does but you don’t have the public demand he has. You say it sounds like he complains sometimes, but Im sure if you had a mic or some form listening device in your face constantly, as professional athletes do, you find it hard pressed not to be heard complaining about having to be away from your family. Yes he chose his profession, as did you. And yes he has to deal with the good and the bad of that. Say all you want about the glamorous aspect of playing professional ball and making millions as he has, but money doesn’t take away the difficulties in life. It doesn’t automatically make playing baseball for a living the perfect life. It doesn’t make your relationship with your family without problems. It doesn’t make null and void all of the strain that is put on the relationship with your family because of your absences and the public scrutiny they receive. I doubt any of you can say what it’s like to lead the life of a professional athlete. I can guarantee you that not a single one of you could lead that life without being frustrated at fans and there lack of understanding from time to time. I can guarantee you that not a single one of you could lead that life without being frustrated about being away from your family as much as they are. And dont respond by saying that it may be frustrating but the fans dont have to hear about it. You read the article didn’t you? You wanted to see how he thinks and feels.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:07 pm
Bat Masterson……..The book remains to be written on whether Francoeur will be able to recoup the money he missed out on when he refused to sign the contract the Braves offered him.
Sure, McCann got the financial security. I’m not dogging that. I’m saying that by doing that, he ended up costing himself at least 10 million dollars. Tim Linecum refused to sign a Brian McCann type contract with the Giants before he was eligible for arbitration last year. He ended up getting a 2 year, $21 year contract (and after this year, he still has two more years left in arbitration). Linecum is in line to set some serious contract records, assuming he stays healthy, of course.
old man
March 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
Foghorn Leghorn–
Tell the truth–if he produced a line like the one I suggested–around June or July you would start smiling and say “h— s—” every time he stroked a frozen rope to the gap in right center, wouldn’t you?
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:09 pm
billmaier….my loyalty only lies with a player who I feel can still produce….not with a player who is way past his prime, yet still being given welfare at-bats in the prime spot of the batting order (the #3 slot).
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
put your money where your mouth is chipper hit at least 270 this year– 5,000 bucks
old man
March 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
I repeat–I’m not a huge Chipper fan as a rule, but daggonit he has tattooed the ball this Spring, and it would be hilarious and great if he did it all season.
old man
March 29th, 2011
6:11 pm
I also don’t gamble.
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
6:12 pm
so what did you think of bobbys loyalty to melky last year?
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:14 pm
bfred….once again, your 6:07pm post misses the point. Your contention that you’d feel The Dipper would be contributing if he can play 130 games, bat .265, hit 14 homers and knock in 65 runs in 2011.
Uh, that may be decent numbers for a #6 or #7 hitter in the batting order. However, they pretty much pale in comparison to what a REAL #3 hitter should be hitting (and they certainly dont stand up to the standards that the player formerly known as Chipper Jones used to put up).
The Braves need much better “contributions” from a #3 hitter than the garbage numbers that you said you could live with in your 6:07pm post from The Dipper.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:15 pm
billmaier….I felt that Booby’s loyalty to Melky was typical of how much his loyalty to certain players prevented the Braves from not only winning more than 1 World Series during our 14 year run….but also hindered our hopes to make the play-offs in 2009.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:18 pm
billmaier……I think that it’s sad that you feel that the over/under for The Dipper’s average is .270.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:20 pm
I’m curious as to how many of you who play fantasy baseball…will draft The Dipper high in your fantasy draft, lol.
jacob
March 29th, 2011
6:29 pm
Foghorn –
Yes Chipper has been a shadow of his former self the past 2 years. He has also had injury plaguing him. That may be the case this year as well. BUT, a healthy Chipper gives us the best #3 hitter for the time being. He still puts fear in the heart of opposing pitchers and managers. That is evident with the way they pitch around him when he plays. He is still a danger to go deep every time he is in the lineup. I agree that JHey is our future #3 hitter, but he is still 21. He is still growing. He has yet to prove he can produce any better than a healthy Chip. If you want to argue numbers, Jhey’s went way down after his injury last year. He was a shadow of what he was in the first half. No different with Chip. If he doesn’t show up this year, I really believe Fredi will move him. Heck he may move himself. Only time will tell.
The biggest beef I have with your comments is how degrading you are to Chip and what he has done. You come off as a what are you doing for me now. I agree that fans and a team shouldn’t hang to visions of grandeur but Chip deserves some benefit of the doubt. Im not convinced he can’t produce. Will he produce as he did during his peak? Very doubtful. But will he produce as a legitimate #3 hitter for the Braves who do not currently roster a top teir #3 hitter? Yes he can.
Bat Masterson
March 29th, 2011
6:38 pm
Bat Masterson……..The book remains to be written on whether Francoeur will be able to recoup the money he missed out on when he refused to sign the contract the Braves offered him.
Sure, McCann got the financial security. I’m not dogging that. I’m saying that by doing that, he ended up costing himself at least 10 million dollars. _ Foghorn
The book has been written on Francoeur, the title is How does this guy still have a job, one of the worlds great mysteries.
From 2007 to 2010…Brian McCann made $11.3 mil (including $1 mil signing bonus in 2007. During the same 4 years…Jeff Francoeur made $9.25 mil. _ Foghorn
If Franceour has a good year, or even an okay one, and his option is picked up, he will have made 14.2 million, if not 12.75 million. Of course he wold not have made that except for the Mets stupidity. Heap will have made 28 to 30 million, and over 40 million if his option is picked up for 2013. How can you say Heap cost himself 10 million, he may have given up half that, part of the deal for security. A no brainer if there ever was one.
Dirty
March 29th, 2011
6:38 pm
Guys you can discredit anything Foghorn Leghorn said right after the point of saying he would have to forgo the remaining Salary on his Contract.. He would still get paid the money on his contract as NBA and MLB contracts are Guaranteed (except for incentives). If this were the NFL he would be correct.. He has shown how much he knows about this topic with a couple of Incentives.. He who yells the loudest usually knows the least… he is actually trying to convince himself of his drivel along with everyone else
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:39 pm
jacob…..I have not been critical of the contribution that Chipper Jones made to the Braves. I enjoyed watching him play over the years.
What I have, and will continue to be critical of….is what The Dipper has done the past 2 years. He’s been injury prone, and hit for very little power.
You say that you’re not convinced that he cant produce? Well, I’m convinced that he wont contribute…at least not in a manner that a #3 hitter should.
Jason Heyward played through his injured thumb last season. He does not have a history of injuries. He showed with his immense skills (his speed, his ability to score from 1st on a double) that he is tailor made to hit in the #3 spot of the order. Keeping Heyward in the #6 slot of the order makes about as much sense as keeping keeping Steve Young as a back-up..when it was apparent that Joe Montana’s time had passed.
Dirty
March 29th, 2011
6:42 pm
How can Heyward have a history of Injuries? He was a rookie last year and missed a lot of games .. if that happens again this year then you can call him injury prone and if it doesn’t then you can say he is not… Hard to build a history on one season…
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
6:52 pm
Dirty……Jason Heyward didnt start playing professional baseball in 2010.. He played 3 years of Minor League baseball. His skills were proven last year. He battled through an injured thumb last season and still put up good numbers.
The Dipper cant play everyday. If he plays 100 games, I’d be surprised. He’s 39 years old, snapperhead! He’s been injured the past 2 seasons. He’s struggled both defensively and offensively the past 2 years when he did play.
I challenge you to name any 39 year old players in the past who put up a “good season” after having two injury filled, unproductive seasons at 37 and 38 years old.
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
6:54 pm
foghorn so at least will agree on something–bobby. But we may also misunderstand the difference between loyalty and faith– i was loyal to bobby, even though i had no faith in his ability to mange- since he was our manger- i hoped and wished the best– but had no faith in his decions at all — same as boobys favorite i was loyal to melky hoped he did well, but had no faith he would– greg norton, jeff bennett etc—where we have a problem is that you seem to not only have no loyolty to chipper by ragging on him– at least and hope the best– do you have someone else that can play third for us and hit over 270– if i putting money on it for real- im saying 270 but believe and have faith he will hit at least 300– have 20 hrs drive in 70 to 80 runs– at least im willing to back up my statments with money something your not willing to do- im serious-becauseway you make it sound chipper wont hit above the mendoza line, and hurt the team– i have faith in freddi that i did not have in bobby if chipper does not produce in the 3 hole he will be moved down—- i am loyal to the team and players not matter what i have faith in chipper i don not have faith in george sherrill you seem to have no loyalty- wishing the best for chipper every time he comes to the plate and hoping the best
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
6:57 pm
foghorn– and i believe you forget last year that chippers bat was coming around before the injury– i dont have the figures but he was hitting over 300 in his last so many games before the injury and the bat was coming around- i have faith that and the spring training willcarry over into the season.
Dirty
March 29th, 2011
7:01 pm
Foghorn… I am not going to argue with a know-it-all blabbermouth like you… MLB contacts are guaranteed and that is a fact Jack…. Trust me I know my facts… You know nothing of me or where I have worked and nothing of my background… He could just as easily collect his $28 million at home… Only time money is not Guaranteed if there is a mutual option clause in the contract where both parties agree to either pick up the option year(s) or turn them down… Management or player can void them.. Chipper does not have that that clause.. that is only given to FA or Aging Vets who sign one year contracts with options.. Glavine had one for a 6th year with the Mets but 5 was guaranteed.. that is why he left the Braves because they would only give him 4 years guaranteed with a 5th year Incentive option. if he met certain Incentives the Option year would Auto pick up and if not then both parties had to agree to the option year at the designated salary… Chipper does not have those clauses… Now go ahead and argue with yourself and the others who foolishly argue with you on your inane statements
Here is his contract … 3 years Guaranteed with a 4th year Vesting option… Now go argue with your self in the mirror
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Chipper Jones already had a World Series ring and an MVP trophy. What he wanted was the chance to finish up in the place where he started.
Jones
Jones
The Atlanta Braves were more than glad to give it to him.
The NL batting champion and the Braves agreed Tuesday to a $42 million, three-year contract extension though 2012, a deal that could ensure Jones becomes one of those rare stars who plays his entire career in one uniform.
There’s an option that could make the extension worth up to $61 million over four seasons.
Due $10 million this season in the option year of a contract that began in 2006, Jones gets a $3 million signing bonus as part of the new deal, payable in $1 million installments each Jan. 15 starting next year.
Jones receives annual salaries of $13 million from 2010-12 and can earn $1.5 million a year in performance bonuses: $750,000 each for 135 and 140 games.
His contract contains a $9 million option for 2013 that would become guaranteed if he plays in 123 games in 2012 or averages 127 games in 2011-12. The option price could increase by up to $4 million: $1 million each for 128, 133, 138 and 140 games in 2012 (or averages of 132, 137, 138 and 140 in 2011-12). In addition, he could earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on the earlier criteria.
If the vesting option fails to become guaranteed, the club would hold a $7 million option.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4029831
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:01 pm
billmaier….oh, I’ll hope that The Dipper will play like the player formerly known as Chipper Jones. I would love to see The Dipper revert back to Chipper Jones and win the MVP. Reason being, I want to see the Braves WIN, PERIOD!
I would gladly admit that I’m wrong because my desire to see the Braves win…overrides my desire to be right.
With that said, I see very little chance that I’m going to be wrong. I take no pleasure in saying that because I feel that if I’m proven right..it will hurt the Braves chances on winning enough games to make the play-offs.
Loyalty should never be blind. Loyalty should be earned….and maintained if one is still being productive today.
How many you would remain loyal to your wife….if she gave you 10 good years of faithful marriage….only to proceed to give you 5 years where she was unfaithful and a bad wife? How many of you would stay, “you know, she was good to me before. I have faith that the wife I knew those 10 years will come back to me”, lol?
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:07 pm
Dirty……you keep bring up irrelevant points. If The Dipper were to retire…he would be forfeiting the remaining $28 mil on his contract. That was the talk of contention when he said that he wouldnt stick around if he couldnt play up to his standards after his injury in 2009. He said it again after the 2010 season.
You might want to look up your facts PAL. If he were to retire, the Braves would be off the hook for the remaining $28 mil, meaning that the Braves could use the money that was going to be paid him…to acquire a player who will actually help us offensively.
However, this point is moot because The Dipper is not going to retire before the end of 2012…no matter how badly he struggles. Yet many of you believe that he would be a “man of his word” and give him props for saying this BS.
jacob
March 29th, 2011
7:09 pm
I meant you are basically disregarding what he has done for the franchise and coming off as a what have you done for me lately person. Im sure part of your sarcasm is based off your disgust for fans that just blindly see the name Chipper and think he’s the greatest there is no matter what he does on the field, but the fact is, he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Say what you want, but he has been and still is our best option in the 3 hole. He still demands a ton of respect at the plate. More than JHey at the moment. JHey may end up being our best option at some point in the year, but he’s not now. Yeah he played through injuries, but he didn’t do it very effectively. No different than Chip when he’s dealing with injuries. If Chip hits 20-25 HR’s which he will if he plays 130 games, he is a bigger threat than Jhey purely from his pedigree. I dont see JHey putting up more than 25 this year. Until he has a least a year of #3 production, he is not our best option there.
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
7:12 pm
foghorn i dont believe i ever said that chipper will have an mvp year but that he will be productive, i refuse to rag on him and toe the line toward being disrespectful like you–chipper is giving his all he probably work harder this offseason than any before more than i can say for melky last year. and i think you misjudge chipper if at any time he feels that he is hurting the team and keeeping us from making the playoffs he will retire– i believe he was seriously thinking about ti last year before the bat starting comin around before the injury– stats don’t lie- he was hitting well– have some respect—if his year is as bad as you makle it out to be h’ll retire if he belives it will help our chances– but right now it is just the opposite– who plays third hicks lucas conrad mather if he makes it through waivers?????????????????????????
David O'Brien
March 29th, 2011
7:14 pm
How many you would remain loyal to your wife….if she gave you 10 good years of faithful marriage….only to proceed to give you 5 years where she was unfaithful and a bad wife? How many of you would stay, “you know, she was good to me before. I have faith that the wife I knew those 10 years will come back to me”, lol? – Foghorn Leghorn
Just curious, were you actually laughing out loud at this? You typed it and thought, now THAT is a funny analogy. And laughed out loud?
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:15 pm
By the way, I noticed that David O’Brainless One failed to ask The Dipper any questions concerning following through on his “I’ll retire if I struggle to play at a high level” proclamations if he indeed were to struggle in 2011.
This kind of reporting could never survive in a real sports down with knowledgeable sports fans who want to see their team WIN over anything else. I feel that is a big part of why the city of Atlanta has only won 1 championship, in any professional sport. The lack of accountability of the “good old boy” Atlanta sporting press is more concerned with rubbing shoulders with and writing fluff pieces on players and management….more concerned with eating free food and getting invites to luncheons and awards banquets..than they are with being critical of and holding accountable with bad decision making by management or mistakes made by players on the field.
The fans of the Atlanta area are partly to blame, because they fall for this constant BS. Woody Harrleson told Wesley Snipes in ‘White Men Cant Jump’ that, “you’d rather look good and LOSE, than look bad and WIN”.
Many of you would rather feel good by seeing your “heroes” play and see the team LOSE…then feel bad that you cant see your “heroes” play, yet have the team WIN by playing players you cant “identify” with.
Dirty
March 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
My last comment on this… Chipper would not forfeit the money… You don’t have to believe me but if I were you I would.. I know exactly what I am talking about…
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:18 pm
Jacob…….if you believe that The Dipper is going to play in 130 games this year and hit 25 homers…then you must also believe in The Tooth Fairy.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:22 pm
billmaier….dude, The Dipper was not hitting well last year. His “hot streak” consisted of hitting .300 (I thought that .300 was “the norm” for a player of what used to be Chipper Jones’ caliber) with at best, average power (again, how is average power considered “a hot streak” for someone of his “caliber?).
His defense is pretty lacking. He cant stay healthy. His “hot streak” only lifted his average to .276. He only hit 10 homers in 2010. HELLO!
I base my evaluation on the fact that he has had two UNPRODUCTIVE and INJURY FILLED seasons in a row….as well as the fact that he will be 39 in April. I’m right, you’re dreaming.
Kat
March 29th, 2011
7:23 pm
Thanks for the Q&A (both parts), great questions.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:25 pm
David O’Talentless One……I laughed out loud after posting the “being loyal to your wife” post….about as loud as I laugh after reading one after one of your “fluff” pieces on The Dipper or Booby Cox.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:25 pm
Enter your comments here
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:27 pm
Dirty…….once again. If a player were to retire because he felt that he couldnt play up to a level he felt he used to play at…he would be forfeiting his remaining salary. The only way he could keep his money and retire..is if he suffered a career ending injury.
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
7:27 pm
your wives loyalty and your loyalty to her have nothing to do with baseball what so ever a lyal fan is loyal to his team and the players on it no matter what the income- wife is somehting completely different- makes no sense at all just as your ragging on an atlanta brave- makes no sense at all
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
7:28 pm
mis print outcome- sorry
billmaier
March 29th, 2011
7:29 pm
wow the logic here is getting real confusing- so chipper hitting 300 is not good enough??????????????????????
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:34 pm
billmaier……hitting .300 during a 20 game streak is not that great….especially when in the other games, you hit in the low .220’s with little power.
Sure, The Dipper was hitting “better” before suffering the season ending injury. However, it only “lifted” his average to .265…and he only hit 10 homers in 95 games in 2010. Not what you want to see from a #3 hitter.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:38 pm
I just turned on the Braves-Twins game on the tube. Brian McCann must have dropped about 30 pounds in the off season.
Hopefully the loss of weight will result in him getting off what used to be his fat A## and blocking some balls that would routinely go past him.
I’m actually a McCann fan (meaning I’m a fan of how well he hits, for both power and average). While I would like to see him play better defense…I can live with his errors as long as he rakes at the plate. Unlike The Dipper…whose offense does not make up for the fact that he cant play good defense.
predsjack
March 29th, 2011
7:40 pm
foghorn leghorn, in my best Walter impersonation…Shut The hell Up!
William in Pasadena
March 29th, 2011
7:43 pm
Guys, I have to agree with Foghorn about Chipper. First of all, I DO hope he has an MVP year. But, based on the past 2 years, he should not bat 3rd. The problem with most Braves fans is they continue to live on the past and continue to support the “settle for, laid back attitude” that was perpetuated by Bobby Cox and Chipper. Singles and walks are not what we should get from a 3-hitter. Oh, it pads the OBP, but doesn’t drive in runs. How long are you guys gonna continue to live on hope and “if Chipper doen’t get hurt” crap.If memory serves me correctly, the Florida Marlins have won as many or more World Series than we have. Yet, they don’t hold onto players like we do. I guess Chipper is the only thing some of you have to hold onto, continuously hoping. Come October, let’s see if we will be frustrated again. Or will we lose 2-1 ballgames while Chipper sits on the bench injured?
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:51 pm
William in Pasadena………Damn dude, you really hit your 7:43pm post OUT OF THE FREAKING BALL PARK, LOL!
With that said, your dead on post will fall on deaf ears….if anything, it’s going to enrage many of the so-called Braves fans. They have an insatiable need to live in the past, to live on false “hope”.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
7:56 pm
William in Pasadena………I love your “singles and walks are not what we should settle for from a #3 hitter” line.
Then again, David O’Brainless One kept pointing out that Greg “The only way I can get on base is if the pitcher forgets to throw strikes” Norton drew a lot of walks pinch hitting in 2009. I was like “HELLO, MCFLY….ANYONE HOME”?
The job of a pinch hitter, ESPECIALLY the number one pinch hitter off your bench, is to knock in some freaking runs. After all , isnt he called a pinch-HITTER…not pinch-walker?
And the job of the #3 hitter in the line-up is to put up MUCH BETTER NUMBERS than .265 with 10 homers and 41 RBIs over 95 games (which is what The Dipper put up in 2010).
Douche Bag
March 29th, 2011
8:02 pm
I want to be a Foghorn Leghorn.
Pete*
March 29th, 2011
8:04 pm
Dirty: “My last comment on this… Chipper would not forfeit the money… You don’t have to believe me but if I were you I would.. I know exactly what I am talking about…”
Was gonna try and stay away from this brawl lol BUT…if I read you correctly, you are most certainly wrong. When a player officially retires for whatever reason (and I believe thats what your referring to), the team is no longer obligated to pay the remaining contract. From what youre saying, Ryan Howard could retire after this year and still collect $125M over the next 5 years? Doesnt work that way.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:07 pm
Pete…..if I had said what the Dirty poster said…this blog would have been lit up with how wrong I am, lol.
I know, it must be painful to have to agree with me. However, at least you were man enough to fight through the pain and correct him, lol.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
//Dirty…if The Dipper were to retire….he would be giving up his salary.
You need to check your facts, snapperhead.
However, my contention all along has been that The Dipper will not retire before the end of the 2012 season, no matter how badly he plays. Only if the Braves were to release him, would he retire if no one wanted to sign him. The Dipper is not going to give up $28 mil.
The reason I keep bringing this up is that many of you feel for “hook, line and sinker” lie that The Dipper said about “retiring if he cant play up to the level he’s accustomed to playing”. He said this BS before the 2010 season….as well as repeated it when he was making his rehab this off season.
I’d be willing to bet that after he hurts himself and goes on the DL again sometime this year….he will make another BS proclamation after the 2011 season that he will make “one more run” at it in 2012..and that if he cant play up to “his standards”, he will retire.
You guys just keep lapping it up, lol. Keep buying the snake oil…keep stuffing the coffers of the traveling tent preachers that the south is known for falling for…..keep voting against your own economic self interests and making rich the very people who, when it comes down to it…dont care about you at all.
Pete*
March 29th, 2011
8:16 pm
Wasnt painful at all to point out the correct facts on an issue. I may not like your and other’s delivery (name calling etc) but you do make valid points. Much of last year I posted that CJ is not a #3 hitter (at least not last year), but that there was no way Cox would move him from #3. I also believe that if CJ starts off like he did last year, Fredi will move him from #3 at some point. Should be a fun and interesting year.
William in Pasadena
March 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
Foghorn, I think you are correct. Come people live too long in the past. Chipper wes great in the past. Chipper was well-paid for what he did in the past. Now, Chipper is overpaid for what he is doing in the present. Based on what some of these guys are saying, we should still have Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz on the team. This kind of “loyalty” is why the Braves have only 1 WS ring. This kind of stupidity is why athletes are the way they are. They have an MVP season, than hold out if their contract is not renegotiated. What happens when they have a lousy seasn? Do they want to renegotiate then? To criticize Chipper is not disloyalty. He was paid very well, even the times he missed the whole season. Also, I said last year that the AJC writers don’t ask tough questions. These little soft questions make you want to throw up. I’m sorry, I would say regurgitate, but that’s hard to do when you are throwing up. We need real, hard nosed ballplayers, not injury prone ones that are laid back and have no fire. The Braves will always win the sportsmanship award while other teams celebrate the last game of the season on the Braves field. Aren’t you guys sick of watching that? I’m waiting to see what Fredi does. I was glad to see that he kept the young guys over reclamation projects and washed-up pitchers. That’s an improvement over Bobby right there.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:21 pm
Pete……While I would hope that Fredo would move The Dipper down in the order if (when) he struggles during the year hitting 3rd……I have doubts as to whether he will. I hope that he will prove me wrong.
Pete*
March 29th, 2011
8:25 pm
In my humble opinion, Cox stayed 1-2 years too long. But hes gone now, and I do believe Fredi will move CJ down IF he struggles for a reasonable period of time. We shall see.
jacob
March 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
Foghorn – I have more reason to believe he’ll play 130 and hit 20-25 as you do to say he wont. 2 years ago was the first time in his career that he hasn’t hit 20. He’s averaged about 125-130 games for the past 6 years. It’s not living in the past to know that he’s still capable of putting up 20-25 HR, .280-.300 avg and 85-100 RBIs in 130 games. You’re taking a year and half of stats, which were injury plagued, and claiming them to be the only stats he’s capable of producing. Your’re taking an anomaly in his career and making them an absolute rule. Yeah, hes 39 and it’s possible he’s digressed to that. Halfway through last year I would have tended to agree, but the last couple of weeks before he got hurt last year, when he was healthy, he was hitting like the old Chip. And he’s doing thus far in spring training. Yep, it’s spring training. Duly noted. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a precursor to what the player is capable of otherwise players wouldn’t make or lose their jobs based off spring training results. He’s not getting lucky with his bat. He’s hitting BB’s.
You all talk about how avg and singles not being a #3 hitter and I agree, but you fail to mention that we have NO ONE ELSE who has proven they can put up top tier #3 numbers. Uggla will hit a ton of homers but last year was the first decent average year he has had. He would be a more legit #3 argument than Heyward right now. Dont argue to me minor league numbers. That’s more of a futile argument than spring training numbers. Im not going to give Heyward the #3 spot over Chip because of half a year in his rookie year when pitchers were still adjusting to him and Fredi obviously thinks about it that way too. Fredi wouldn’t have Chip there right now if he didn’t feel he was the best option. If during the season Chip shows that the last year and half is all he has to offer any more, then Ill be calling for him to drop as loud as the rest, but right now he’s our best option at the 3 spot.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:29 pm
Pete….I hope you are right about Fredo. If you are, I’ll start calling him Fredi.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:32 pm
jacob…while I still disagree with your 8:28pm post, you do make a decent compelling argument (unlike many others on this blog) when stating your case.
I hope that you are right. You being right (and me being wrong) would probably result in the Braves doing some serious winning in 2011 (which is what I want more than anything).
bravesgrl4life
March 29th, 2011
8:46 pm
I think FL is the son of PL (he who’s name shall not be mentioned). He is just as big of a detractor and irritant.
William in Pasadena
March 29th, 2011
8:47 pm
Jacob, I partly agree with you. Except, didn’t Chipper miss his entire first year due to a broken leg? So the past year and a half was not an anomaly. He’s been an injury waiting to happen most of his career. He needs that insurance. You know, the one in case you get hurt and have to miss work, it won’t hurt to miss work (AFLAC!) And, how do you know we don’t have anyone else for the 3-hole. We refuse to try anyone else due to loyalty crap. I’ll bet 50 cents JHey would put up at least the numbers Chipper had last year. And he probably woud steal a base or two, and score from 1st base on a long single!
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:53 pm
bravesgrl4life……and you are just as blind and gullible as most of your fellow so-called Braves fans are on here.
Get back me at the All-Star break and compare The Dipper’s numbers (especially power numbers) to other #3 hitters on winning baseball teams.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:54 pm
William in Pasadena….keep on with the hits my friend. These guys on here cant comprehend what you are sayin, lol! They just cant!
robdawg08
March 29th, 2011
9:21 pm
My favorite player of all-time. Thanks for all the great memories Chipper ! I hope you can put up the .300 30 100 we got so used to getting from you. You are a first ballot HOFer ! You and Eddie Murray are the greatest switch hitters ever to play the game. And Eddie’s in the HOF.
Pete*
March 29th, 2011
9:25 pm
Robdawg, ever hear of Mickey Mantle?
tman
March 29th, 2011
9:35 pm
Foghorn Leghorn…What is your actual profession? It appears you missed your calling if you aren’t a professional sports writer or very high up the food chain in management for an MLB team.
tman
March 29th, 2011
9:35 pm
Foghorn Leghorn…What is your actual profession? It appears you missed your calling if you aren’t a professional sports writer or very high up the food chain in management for an MLB team.
bravesgrl4life
March 29th, 2011
9:41 pm
F-L, I am not the least bit gullible. I hope Chipper shoves your egotistical, idiotic, hatin’ words down your throat, loser.
bravesgrl4life
March 29th, 2011
9:41 pm
Figuratively speaking, of course. Chipper wouldn’t resort to violence for someone so insignificant.
robdawg08
March 29th, 2011
9:52 pm
Foghorn is about 150 other different bloggers here Bravesgirl. Don’t let shim get under your skin.
Didn’t Mickey Mantle play for the Boston Red Sox ?
DC Brave
March 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
Go Braves! and Go Chipper….the greatest Atlanta Brave of them all. Respect to Murph and Hank, but Chipper was on the 95 team and a part of the 14 straight.
This is going to be a great season.
So on the other blog…interesting comment about Cal Ripken from “headl” at 1:55. Very interesting.
ColoradoBravesFan
March 29th, 2011
11:21 pm
William in Pasadena… The Marlins would be happy to have you as a fan. If you really think that is the way to run an MLB team. Go pull for them or the Yankees.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
11:59 pm
bravesgrl4life……..So you want The Dipper to “shove my egotistical, idiotic, hatin’ words down my throat”?
What are you going to say if he doesnt? Are you going to eat crow and admit that my “hatin’ words” were in fact prophecy fulfilled?
Knowing how much critical thinking makes your ADD surface…..I wont count on you to do that, lol.
I’ll just have to live with the satisfaction that i’m right (meaning that the Braves chances of winning will suffer). To be honest, I hope that The Dipper does come out and win the MVP. As I said before, I want to see the Braves win. I just dont see it happening…because when you see a team insert a shell of his former self in the #3 slot of the batting order…..your chances of winning will be less.
I bet you was one of those who cried when Tommy Hanson was called up in June of 2009, which “forced” Tom Glavine to retire. Or better yet…you probably ripped Braves management for not paying John Smoltz $10 mil to re-sign with the Braves in the winter of 2009.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
12:07 am
ColoradoBravesFan…….William in Pasadena wants to see the Braves win championships. Isnt that the goal of every fan…to see their team win championships? The Fish have won 2 World Series. William wasnt saying that he wanted to be a Marlins fan. He was saying that their approach to winning (especially when they have a championship caliber team) has worked in the past.
So you think William should become a Marlins fan because he questions the decisions that those who run the Braves sometimes make? Well I think that you should become a fan of another team….because you root for the individual player over the interest of the team. What, are you a fan of The Dipper first and foremost….or do the Braves team come first to you?
For those of us who want to see the Braves WIN…..we want to see the best players play in positions, both on the field and in the batting order….that will give the Braves the best chance to win. I could care less about having some misplaced nostalgia that is obsessively attached to someone who is WAY PAST THEIR PRIME!
Tim
March 30th, 2011
12:08 am
What a sad, sad life you have Foghorn. Good luck with all…………that.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
12:12 am
I must say it is painful to watch Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams on the MLB channel. The Braves preview show on the MLB channel is a joke because these two clowns wouldnt know an original opinion if it smacked them in the face.
Perhaps they were mentored by David O’Talentless One, lol!
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
12:16 am
Tim…actually I like my life, lol. I’ve purchased another season of the MLB package on Direct TV. I’m geared up for another season on baseball.
Despite my qualms about The Dipper batting 3rd….I am pretty optimistic about the rest of the line-up and team (well, with the exception of our overall defense). However, we showed last year that we could make the play-offs DESPITE not being able to field the ball…..as well as having little production from The Dipper.
So knowing that, I’ll hold out some hope that Fredo will eventually grow a pair and eventually drop The Dipper to the #6 spot in the order.
But other than that, we’re looking good. We’re healthy and seem to have a set line-up. I feel that we can compete with the Phillies for the division title.
jacob
March 30th, 2011
12:24 am
William – First, the anomaly I was referring to was not the injuries, it was his ability to produce.
Second, a broken leg as a rookie is a freak accident and doesn’t at all mean you are an injury waiting to happen. Nine of his first 10 years he played over 150 games, and the 10th was his first full season where he only played 140. He’s an injury waiting to happen now, but his career wasn’t an injury waiting to happen any more than Pujols or Maddux. Since you mentioned JHey, went on the DL his rookie year as well and played with an injury the whole second half. And what about now? He’s dealing with back issues. I dont think it serious, but he’s more injury prone than Chipper was for his first 10-13 years.
Third, my argument for Chip at the 3 hole has very little to do with loyalty. I love the guy as a player, but when you start hurting the team it’s time to realize you’ve reached your end. Im just not convinced by a year and a half of poor production that he wont produce. Your guarantee about JHey has more conjecture than my belief in Chip. Chip has proven it while JHey has yet to prove it. Along with the fact that JHey is still 21 and maturing offensively. No matter how big he is or how hard he hits the ball in BP, he still hasn’t garnered the fear and respect from the other team that Chip has and that is one of the most important qualities of a #3 hitter. I guarantee you that teams feel they have a better chance of getting Heyward out on an at-bat by at-bat basis than they do Chip. Come mid season, it may not be the case but for now it is. FOR NOW Chip is our best option at the 3 hole and the way he is capable of swinging the bat, I like our chances.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
12:34 am
jacob…….Well, we will start finding out who is right starting Thursday afternoon. We’ll have an opportunity on a daily basis to dissect whether you or I am right. In about a month, we’ll have an idea of what’s going to happen.
jacob
March 30th, 2011
12:55 am
A month wont show who is right or wrong Foghorn. IF in a month or two Chip is hitting like he has the past year and a half, then he wont be the right guy for the #3 spot THEN. For NOW though he is.
jacob
March 30th, 2011
1:05 am
Also, while it has been painful to see the Braves make the playoffs year and year out and only win 1 World Series, Ill take 14 straight division titles, 15 playoff appearances, 5 NLCSs, and a legitimate hope to win a World Series nearly every year we take the field. Ill take that over 2 random World Series titles and abysmal seasons the rest of the time. One World Series is more than 19 other MLB teams can say over the past 2 decades. We can thank Bobby for most of that. I love our organization. I love how have developed our farm system to be one of the best in the MLB and how we can expect studs to emerge from it nearly every year. I love how we are one of the most well respected organizations in the MLB. I love how our players love to play for it. I love that many other players around the league have nothing but good things to say about our organization and how many of them would love to play for us. I love what our organization represents. And I said, I love how nearly every year we step on to the field and can legitimately expect to at least make the playoffs and have a shot at the World Series. You like hard nosed players? Bobby did too and that’s who he fought for. You dont want injury prone players? What’s an injury prone player to you? Is it Prado getting hurt twice last year, ending the year on the DL? Is it Jhey’s injuries last year and his current problems? Is it Huddy’s Tommy John surgery? Is it McCann’s eye problems? Is it JJ and Medlen’s injuries? Should we get rid of them and start over with players who have no history with injuries? Good luck
Chipper Q&A, Pt. 2: Of fans, family, retirement, Hall of Fame, and more | Raw Sports - Atlanta Braves
March 30th, 2011
1:28 am
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
Mike in Canton
March 30th, 2011
1:47 am
Geez, someone needs to wash the sand out….
Foghorn, should Chipper still be in the 3 spot? Probably not, but is he still productive? You bet. Look at the rosters over every team and you’ll see starters somewhere on every team that typically has .260-.270 averages, with 15-20 HR, 70-80 RBI. Now how many of those guys with those numbers have close to a .400 OBP? How many of those guys have more BB than SO? Truth is, not many. Sure, there are better third baggers in the league now (i.e. Alex Rodriguez, David Wright, Ryan Zimmerman come to mind), but how many 3B in the NL are worse statistically? Would you rather have Ty Wigginton (116 SO in 2010) or Aramis Ramirez (.294 OBP in 2010)? How about Andy Marte back in a Braves uni? Is Chipper worth $14 million dollars on the Free Agent market? Probably not, but would it surprise you if he was offered $8-9 million for a year of service by another team? No. His current contract was written in 2006 and extended in 2009. He’s deferred money in his past contracts. He’s earned the money he’s making by what he did in the past and what he can still do and what the club thinks he is capable of doing. Don’t you think if in 2009 there were a more feasible option out on the market for Frank Wren, he’d tell Chipper that he would extend him, but at a lesser value? Don’t you think if the GM thought he was just wasting money, he’d try to negotiate something or trade Chipper to lessen the burden on the teams self-imposed spending limit? Don’t you think its time to stop complaining about the same damn thing every 5 minutes?
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
2:12 am
jacob……well said 1:05am post. All of what you said are admirable traits for a franchise to have.
However, does that mean that we have to settle for bad decision making by a manager who not only wait until too late to bench a player who was struggling…but also how to use pinch hitters, pinch run, replace a bad defensive player in the field late in a game. There was a game against the Mets after the All-Star Break on a Saturday afternoon were Booby ran through his whole bench in a matter of one inning (he used David Ross as a pinch runner in the 7th inning, lol).
Also, who could forget Booby benching Matt Diaz against the Cubs right before the All-Star Break in 2009 so he could give his boy Francoeur some at-bats to “get him going”…despite Diaz raking at the play in a 13 for 24 streak. On top of that, he used as a “pinch bunter” in the 6th inning of that game. A guy is raking 13 for 24…and not only do you bench him…you waste using him as a pinch bunter?
It’s amazing that many of you continue to have a blind eye when it comes to stuff like that.
It also does not justify a manager not taking the time to teach his players how to run the bases properly or hit the cut off man properly. We have lost important games over the years because our base runners ran themselves out of innings……because we couldnt play decent fundamental defense.
I think that one reason why players loved playing for Booby was because once they were considered one of “Booby’s boys”…they didnt have to worry about being held accountable or losing their job. They could just continue swinging at slop, making critical errors and running themselves out of innings.
The Braves had enough pitching to overcome Booby’s inefficiencies when it came to managing a game in the regular season. However, come play-off time…..you need a manager to have properly taught his players how to play the game. EVERY MISTAKE is magnified in a 7 game series.
I am still baffled (although not surprised) that Booby took out Kimbrell in the 9th inning of Game three of the NLDS last year against the Giants. It wasnt Kimbrell’s fault that the Giants were threatening to score. The Giants had a hard time getting around on his fastball. To bring in Mike Dunn (whose stuff wasnt nearly as good as Kimbrell’s) was inexcusable.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
2:26 am
..Mike in Canton…..I’m not advocating for The Dipper to be traded (no team is that stupid) or relaesed (the Braves dont wont even release Kawacrrappy).
But since we are stuck with The Dipper for the next two years…..then why not use him as effectively as we can…while limiting the potential damage that The Dipper can do?
That’s why I feel that he’s better suited as a #6 hitter. Depending on a broken down, 39 year old former shell of a ball player to lead the offense in the critical #3 spot of the order…..does not bode well for our chances to win.
Mike in Canton
March 30th, 2011
2:32 am
Foghorn
I agree that Bobby was not the greatest manager ever. He was good but he surrounded himself with great coaches. There were plenty of times that I questioned him taking someone out or leaving someone in. But it does happen… with every team and every manager. No one is perfect, but as the Braves turned the corner in 1990-1991, he was probably just the guy they needed. The time came (and as some people would argue, and went years ago) and now we have a guy who probably isn’t going to be too much different, but just enough to push this team to where we all know they should or should have been in recent years.
I think Fredi hit the nail on the head in an interview recently with DOB about losing your ability if you don’t practice it over and over again. Just because you’re in the majors doesn’t mean you can just stop taking ground balls or practicing where you’re going to throw the ball in certain situations. And for that, I give a thumbs up to Fredi for having the “boys” to do it.
Mike in Canton
March 30th, 2011
2:45 am
I don’t think Chipper could really be effective batting sixth either. He has some pop left, but not enough as protection down in the lineup. Your 3-6 hitters should be feared to drive in mass numbers of runs. I actually think Chipper would be more effective in the 2 hole or even seventh if not for Alex Gonzalez.
Batting Chipper sixth wouldn’t be a bad idea if you had a better hitter at number seven… say Freddie Freeman. But I like him either higher up or further down in the lineup. For instance, its the sixth inning and Chipper leads off (at 7th in the lineup) and draws a walk. Now he’s at first with FF at the plate. FF (with better discipline and plate vision than AG) now squares up on a ball and hits a solid single moving Chipper to second. Runners at first and second, no outs and the pitcher’s spot is up. Bunt them over or pinch hit (depending on the situation and hope for at least a sac fly and possibly a base hit). Now you hopefully have at least runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out and Prado at the plate.
Or if you bat Chipper second, you can start the game off hopefully with a single or double from Prado with Chipper up. He can give you a base hit (or sac fly at the very least) and have Heyward on deck.
Better than batting Chipper sixth with no protection behind him in A-Gon.
ben
March 30th, 2011
3:31 am
foghorn…you are a queer. chipper had an awesome spring, showed power, and run production.
timthebrave
March 30th, 2011
9:02 am
People like Foghorn have no idea what they are talking about. I guess they would rather see Prado at 3rd and Mcclouth and Schafer in the outfield. Liberty Media just paid their CEO more than the whole Braves roster makes. I’m glad you are worried about their money when they only worry about getting ours but the Braves are a better team with Chipper in the lineup and I could care less how much they pay him or in what order he should be hitting.
Versiroth
March 30th, 2011
9:03 am
Wow Foghorn Leghorn…. you’ve officially ruined this blog with your constant barage of crap posts. Good Job…
The fact is, Chipper IS playing this year and he IS hitting 3rd. And so far this spring, so good. The best thing we can do as fans is root him on and hope he keeps it up. If he’s hitting 220 with no homeruns after a few weeks, THEN come on the blog and rant and rave all you want. But, for now, the things are the way they are. As fans, we just need to hope it all works out. This also drove me batty with Nate McLouth. People were hating on him this spring even when he was hitting like a fend. Especially when they found out he’s hit 2nd in the order.
The fact is, McLouth is going to hit 2nd and Chipper 3rd. They’ve both played well and EARNED this in the spring. Why not.. you know… wait until they fail before coming on the blog and ruining it for the rest of the posters?
EB
March 30th, 2011
10:43 am
Thank you Versiroth! Well said. People will ALWAYS find something to complain about, but you are right. Facts are facts. Get over it people!!
jacob
March 30th, 2011
11:36 am
I also agree that Bobby had his flaws. He made a ton of questionable calls that, as you pointed out, hurt us in the playoffs. He was out managed several times in the playoffs and it probably cost us a World Series or two. Could someone else have done a better job given the talent he had? Most likely. Very few though in my opinion. As was stated already, he was the right man for the job when he got it. He at least put us in the position to be a top organization year in and year out.
TB
March 30th, 2011
12:28 pm
The last time Chipper came back from this kind of knee surgery, the Braves won the won the World Series!
Voice of reason and truth
March 30th, 2011
3:22 pm
Chipper is a HOF lock.
It is hard to find out exactly where he ranks all time among third basemen. The best is Mike Schimdt, and I would probably put Eddie Matthews behind him.
That leaves Chipper, Brett, and Boggs as the top tier third basement. (I count A-Rod as a shortstop). Those three could rate in any order.
Thoughts?
Ghost
March 30th, 2011
4:39 pm
Foghorn you know nothing about baseball.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
5:02 pm
This is a Braves blog for Braves fans. My definition of a Braves fan is one who wants to see the Braves WIN!
What I see on here is a blog filled with fans of The Dipper. If fans had to make an absolute choice between 1. The Dipper having a good year..while the Braves were losing..OR….2. The Dipper having a bad year…while the Braves were winning…….I’d be willing to bet the farm that fans of The Dipper would overwhelmingly pick the first choice.
10 years from now, when I pay to watch another season of ML Baseball on the MLB package on Direct TV……I’m not going to be paying to watch a whole season of past highlights of The Dipper……I’m going to be watching whoever is playing on the Braves at the time. In other words…..the BRAVES TEAM.
Some of you have said that I should wait until The Dipper fails before coming on here complaining. I guess that you guys only go to the doctor when you are hurting (in other words, you never get check-ups or physicals UNLESS there is something specifically wrong with you)?
The Braves should not wait for The Dipper to struggle for 2 months before dropping him to the #6 spot of the order.
Again, I challenge ANY OF YOU to show me ONE PLAYER in the history of baseball….who struggled with injuries and production at ages 37 and 38…..only to rebound with a really good season (the kind of season that the Braves are going to need from a #3 hitter) at age 39.
I’ll be here waiting for any of you to answer my challenge.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
5:07 pm
With all the resources that David O’Brainless One has, I challenge him to come and show me how common it is for a player who has struggled with injuries and production at ages 37 an 38….to rebound at age 39 to have the kind of season that many of you are “predicting” that The Dipper is going to have.
Show me O’Talentless One! Prove me that you’re more than a lackey who can only write fluff pieces for readers who are unable to do anything more than drink the kool-aid that keeps the south the laughing stock of the civilized, educated, enlightened world, lol!
Ghost
March 30th, 2011
6:04 pm
Foghorn , you know nothing about baseball. HA! HA! HA!
Foghorn Leghorn
March 30th, 2011
7:20 pm
Ghost……At least I have the courage and ability to articulate my position…instead of blindly agreeing with what “feels good” (holding onto nostalgia and having memories of past glory that clouds judgment about a player’s ability to contribute today to a team winning).
It isnt that I dont want The Dipper to play like Chipper Jones used to play. It’s that I dont think that we’ll ever see Chipper Jones again. What we are stuck with today is The Dipper.
Choppinmama
March 30th, 2011
10:47 pm
Looks like the only way we’re going to get Chip out of the broadcast booth is when Chipper retires and goes up there and kicks him out! I love to hear former players announcing games, love to hear them talk about their experiences (except for Joe Morgan’s endless “me” tales), and can always seem to relate to whatever the situation is on the field.
He’ll have to lose a little of his drawl so them dang northerners will be able to understand him. Ol’ Brillo Head and Ol’ Hoss should make a fine broadcast team. (Joe would be a fine alternative too.)
HornLeg HornFog
March 30th, 2011
11:15 pm
I love how quiet people are when you challenge them to prove their point.
HornLeg HornFog
March 30th, 2011
11:22 pm
Choppinmama…….I totally agree with your 10:47pm post. In fact, you should encourage The Dipper that he should immediately retire because fans like you can only enjoy listening to a Braves game if ex-players (which is what he really is at this point) like The Dipper breaks it down by telling stories of past glory (which would perfectly apply because The Dipper’s glory is way in the past).
Braves Forever
March 31st, 2011
3:41 am
HornLeg HornFog – Let’s make a bet for $5,000.00…I say Chipper hits at least .300, 20 HRs and 80 RBIs this season.
I love how quiet you get when people ask you to put money where your mouth is
The Voice of Reason
April 4th, 2011
7:26 pm
One-hundred-ninety-FIRST.