Before 20th big-league camp, Chipper recalls first
As he prepared for his 20th major league spring training, Braves third baseman Chipper Jones paused during a recent workout to share with me some memories of his first two years in big-league camp, 1993 and ’94. The first pick of the ‘90 draft, he was two months from his 21st birthday when he reported to manager Bobby Cox’s Braves spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla. Here’s how he remembers it:
I was number 64. I was a first cut and I was thankful, because I wasn’t getting to play. That’s one thing about the Braves; they’re very conscientious about getting their young guys at-bats, and unfortunately I came into camp and was third or fourth on the depth chart. When starters came out, other guys were getting those reps. I think I may have gotten seven [at-bats] the first two weeks of spring training, and that’s not good for a 21-year-old. So I really wanted to get sent down so I could start getting reps.
Chipper, the fresh-faced rook.
I just remember being totally overmatched. There were some flashes — I hit a home run one game and made a couple of good plays at shortstop while I was there. But I was scared to death. I wasn’t ready. I knew I had a long way to go. But that experience right there was a huge wakeup call for how much I needed to improve coming in the following year. Because I knew I was going to Triple-A [in 1993], and I knew coming into camp in ’94 that I was going to be competing for a job. I wasn’t going to be third or fourth on the depth chart, I was going to be 1 or 2. …
I had great role models, whether it was T.P. [Terry Pendleton], David Justice, Freddie Mac [McGriff], Blaus [Jeff Blauser], Lemmer [Mark Lemke], all those guys. David took me under his wing more so than anyone else. Lemmer was good. T.P. was outstanding.
They lockered me next to T.P., which was a learning experience every day. I had to take his shoes off for him after he got done playing, because his back was so jacked up. Just hearing what a tenured veteran went through on a daily basis really was a wake-up call. I thought it was all bells and whistles. It’s not necessarily that way.
Then in ’94 I never really had an offseason. I went to instructional league playing a bunch of different positions – second, third, outfield – just to let them know that, “Hey, I’m ready. If you’ve got an opening, I want to be considered.” From instructional league I never stopped lifting, never stopping hitting before I came to spring training, where the numbers in ’94 really reflected that. I was leading the team in a lot of offensive categories when I went down. I got more playing time than anybody else because they wanted to see what I could do. Still, I felt like I represented myself well and showed Bobby that I was ready to play. I think he’d be the first one to tell you, on March 18 when I got hurt, that I had already made the club. Then I blew the knee out. March 18. …
Chipper at 2011 spring training.
There are certain periods of your life where you just need to shut up and learn. Shut up and soak up everything. My dad sat me down right before both spring trainings and he said, “Shut up and listen to everything – all the interaction, everything that’s said, and just take as much away from it as you can.” I learned a lot in the two or three weeks that I was there in ’93, and obviously in the five weeks that I was there in ’94. It was very instrumental in preparing me for what the big leagues is all about.
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37 comments Add your comment
Hughdaman
February 11th, 2012
1:46 pm
First.
P-Man
February 11th, 2012
1:54 pm
Great advice from Chipper’s dad. Wish more kids would follow that advice…
JCook
February 11th, 2012
1:55 pm
2 blogs in 10 mins? Someone’s ready for Spring Training!
phil
February 11th, 2012
2:18 pm
Chipper’s dad could not be more correct.
I wish the other Chip, as in Caray, was still following that sage advice…
Chuck
February 11th, 2012
2:21 pm
Great info! Thanks for the article! Really fun to read
Spud
February 11th, 2012
3:03 pm
I was watching that Spring Training game on TV when he was hurt. Time sure has gone by! Great player, I hope he sticks around a few more years.
PABRAVESFAN
February 11th, 2012
3:10 pm
Chipper is the reason I followed the Braves as a young child and to able to share the great feeling of watching him another year in a braves uni with my kids now is Amazing!! Thanks for all the years Chipper!!
bobby
February 11th, 2012
7:08 pm
It will be a long time before the Braves have another player that will mean as much to the team as Chipper has.
bruce
February 11th, 2012
7:38 pm
really appreciate these kinds of stories… Thanks!
33% Cancer-Causing Hot Dogs for Brave STHs
February 11th, 2012
7:42 pm
Wow. Those photos tell a startling tale of a ballplayer’s life.
Child Support payments can certainly age a man’s body before his time.
Unfortunately, so can steroids.
PiersonBrave
February 11th, 2012
8:49 pm
33% Cancer-Causing Hot Dogs for Brave STHs:
You are a fool! Take your trash somewhere else.
That is unless you are talking about yourself!
F’n pos.
banshee29
February 11th, 2012
9:16 pm
Hall of famer, first ballot…he is a jerk though. Glad he didnt get paid to be nice.
Friend of Hannah at FCS
February 11th, 2012
10:29 pm
Chipper, please help Hannah.
Thanks.
Younger Than That Now
February 12th, 2012
3:52 am
Having met and observed as Larry Jones taught young college age kids the finer points of hitting, I can fully testify that he not only knows his business, but he is a gentleman beyond your average Joe. You very quickly come to realize how Chipper became the athlete, and more specifically the hitter that he has been for the Braves organization. I have my doubts about whether Chipper will ever be more than a special spring training hitting instructor, but IMO the guy to go after for the permanent hitting coach position would be Mr. Larry Jones, and that’s once the Braves are ready to make a change after Greg Walker has finished his work with the team… and I have an awful lot of confidence in Greg Walker. I believe he will do a fine job with the team and that we’ll be glad that the Braves made this hire. GO BRAVES!
JoeBrave
February 12th, 2012
10:38 am
Damn you mean to tell me Granpa Jones still has his mental faculties…. LMBO
Ralph
February 12th, 2012
3:38 pm
Younger——-
That job doesn’t pay enough for Chipper, and don’t tell me he’s not in it for the money.
Barbara Schroeder
February 12th, 2012
4:24 pm
Chipper is one of the top players in MLB. I have watched him play from the beginning, watched as he stood up like a man and admitted his errors, and watched as he has matured and became the best that Atlanta has put on the field. His name has NEVER been mentioned in those using steroids and I believe he will be a first ballot hall of fame member. He’s brought my husband and I so many wonderful memories and I will forever be a Chipper Jones fan…for him as a ballplayer, son, husband and father.
Mark (another one)
February 13th, 2012
11:13 am
Barbara@ Here, Here!
We effectively watched Chipper grow to being a man and he is human. However, he always gave 100% on the field, and tried to make as much time as possible for the kids and fans. He is about winning, and when he doesn’t think he can contribute, it will be a sad day. In the mean time enjoy him. Even when he has a bad year he puts up unbelieveable numbers and plays a difficult position with ease.
Mark's for the Braves
February 13th, 2012
1:24 pm
Was watching the game when Chipper blew his knee out back in the early 90s. I was shocked that he came back so strong and has done so well in the 20 seasons since. Also remember when, as a rookie, he was making excuses for not batting .300. I think the quote was “I’m a .300 hitter, I should be doing so much better”. I thought he was cocky then, but little did I know just how great he was going to be in the coming years.
Hope Chipper has a final year that he can always remember! Go Braves!
damon dingle barryhill
February 13th, 2012
2:34 pm
Chipper has always been the man. And let’s face it guys, he looks hot in sliding pants too.
Jimbo Jones
February 13th, 2012
10:02 pm
Aren’t too many guys you just automatically slot into #3 in the order right off the bat. He held onto that spot for a long time. Best Braves third baseman since Bob Horner. And maybe before Bob Horner.
burt
February 14th, 2012
1:38 am
a great player, who will always be remembered as one of the greats to play the game. i hope i can be in cooperstown to see chipper inducted into baseball’s HALL OF FAME.
Steve
February 14th, 2012
1:57 am
There should be a plaque awaiting Chipper Jones in Cooperstown five years after he says, “I retire.” Whether he’s a first ballot HOF’er is up to those who vote, but he has certainly put up the numbers, consistently, for many years. The thing I respect most about Chipper is that he has been an unselfish player. More than once, he has re-structured his contract to allow the Braves the financial ability to bring in a player to help the team win. In the midst of all those years, he spent time playing the outfield instead of third base to help the team.
Go Braves, and thank you Chipper!!
KB
February 14th, 2012
1:30 pm
Hopefully Justice didn’t inject him in the bum.
Just Pat
February 14th, 2012
6:00 pm
Thanks, Chipper, for reminding me exactly where I was on March 18, 1994! And thanks for all the wonderful memories since then.
jester
February 14th, 2012
6:14 pm
Just like a poppa “shut up son”
Sparks
February 14th, 2012
8:53 pm
Funny how people that have never done anything, or amounted to much of anything have this need to try to diminish those that have.
Z-ro
February 15th, 2012
4:23 am
greatest player in ATL sports history only 2 switch hitters in history have comparable numbers and he’s always seemed to be HAPPY PLAYING here which speaks volumes because Atl isnt exactly a supportive town! and he has something Murphy, Nique dont have a world championship won IN ATLANTA!!!!
mike
February 15th, 2012
11:50 am
Celebrity worship, anyone?
who cares?
February 15th, 2012
11:55 am
No wonder these people have egos and think they’re God’s gift to humanity. Listen to some of you..He’s the best….He’s the man…Best ever…blah blah blah.
enough already
February 15th, 2012
12:55 pm
I have memories of him, too. I remember hearing about him fathering a son with a Hooters gal while being married to someone other than the Hooters gal. But if you can hit a baseball, or catch a pass, or hit a 3-pointer, or sink a 25 foot putt, you’re given a free pass. Is Chipper a great baseball player? Undoubtedly. But should he be an idol or a hero to ADULTS? No way! Glad to say he’s never gotten any of my money as I don’t go to Braves games and I don’t buy Braves merchandise.
Atlanta Braves Spring Training 3/10
February 16th, 2012
5:45 am
i am looking for time when Atlanta braves will show the performance according to their name
. Hope this time will come soon.
Wilbo
February 17th, 2012
10:59 pm
Why does Chipper always sound like such an insipid dope?
Chipper
February 18th, 2012
2:50 pm
Oh yeah i started cheating on my wife in 1993.
Heywould Jablowme
February 18th, 2012
11:32 pm
Hopefully this will be Lug Nut Larry’s last, and he won’t make it out the gate to Atlanta.
Big Ribb
February 20th, 2012
3:10 pm
Dear Chipper: Lay off the cheeseburgers.
danak
February 20th, 2012
11:30 pm
Chipper is the best and I pray he stays healthy this season and is able play as long as he wants to and can for the BRAVES!!!!! Love those Boys of Summer and especially #10 !!!!!1