Chipper Jones has more pride than to sit back, collect checks
Chipper Jones hasn't been the same player since winning the batting title in 2008 and a retirement announcement seems imminent. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(Updated at 1:45 a.m. with quotes from Chipper Jones’ parents.)
It was spring training of last season when the Braves gave Chipper Jones a three-year, $42 million contract extension that would run through the 2012 season. What followed was one of the most disastrous seasons of his career.
I’m not sure why, but over the past year the number of people telling me, “Chipper doesn’t care; he’ll just sit on the disabled list and collect his money for three years,” probably has dwarfed his number of defenders by 20-to-1.
To those people: You don’t know the man.
The career slide and injuries that have followed Jones recently frustrate him more than you can know, so much so that an official retirement announcement appears imminent.
As Jones stood by the batting cage, I asked him when we can expect him to address retirement.
“At some point during the home stand,” he said (and the Braves are home for only six days).
Was an announcement just being held up by red tape issues?
Jones smiled at the question. “I’ve got some things I’ve got to take care of,” he said.
He wasn’t supposed to publicly address the issue at all. When news leaked earlier in the day, he even asked the Braves to put out a news release informing the media that Jones would not speak on the topic. But his media-friendly persona got the best of him.
Reports circulated earlier in the day that Jones was meeting with Braves manager Bobby Cox, general manager Frank Wren and team president John Schuerholz, and that he planned to make 2010 his final season. That’s when team officials scrambled. This is not how announcements are made, let alone for one-franchise superstars and sure-fire Hall of Famers.
The fact that Jones has over two seasons remaining on a three-year, $42 million extension possibly creates some contractual issues that Jones needs to resolve with the club. Or rather, the club needs to resolve with him. Fact is, Jones himself is not much for formalities.
It’s important to note that nobody is denying the story, least of all Jones.
“I need to go through the proper channels,” he said when he arrived at the stadium. “Once those [issues] have been taken care of, everyone’s questions will be answered.”
Just don’t ask the question, “Will he stick around for the sake of the paycheck?” Answer: no.
Jones has been contemplating this since the winter — yes, even with a $42 million carrot dangling there. That’s the difference between Jones and some athletes that we mock. That’s certainly the difference between Jones and Mike Hampton. The former Brave broke down long before his contract did.
Hampton couldn’t get out of bed without having a major organ explode. Funny. It never seemed to affect his ATM finger.
But Jones is different. “He’s a prideful guy,” pitcher Tim Hudson said. “That’s why he’s been a little frustrated this year. But that’s any superstar. They’re going to have pride in what they do and they’re going to be upset when they feel they’re not living up to the standard that people have come to expect. That said, to me he’s a guy who’s still contributing and helping us win.”
It’s all relative. Jones has 40 walks. But he knows he is not batting third for 40 walks.
He entered the Tampa Bay game hitting only .228, which was behind even last year’s average of .264, which was far behind his 2008 average of .364. But this was a good night. He doubled and scored in the first inning. He hit home run No. 4 on the season and No. 430 in his career in the eighth. It didn’t make much of a difference in the final score (the Rays won 10-4, dismembering Kenshin Kawakami and Chris Resop). But at least there were rare highlights.
Afterward, Jones did not dress at his locker, preferring to remain away from the media. However, how parents, Larry and Lynne, who had traveled from Texas a day earlier — it was a prearranged trip; the timing was coincidence — waited for Jones outside the clubhouse.
Larry Jones initially said he did not believe his son would make an immediate retirement announcement, adding: “I think he personally will know down the stretch.”
But soon after, he added: “He’s down in the dumps about things right now. He talked to me about [retirement] three or four months ago. I told him, ‘Don’t make a decision based on how you feel right now. Give it a chance.’ But he’s a grown man. He’s 38 years old and he’s earned the right to make his own decisions, and we’re gonna support him.
“I’m good with the fact that the end is near. I just wish, I hope, the end comes with him playing well.”
The nagging injuries for Jones have been piling up. Just when it looked like he was starting to come out of it this season, going eight-for-16 during a five-game hitting streak, he started having problems with the ring finger on his right hand. He had missed nine of 11 games before Tuesday.
“I’m old,” he said at one point, between swings during batting practice.
When asked about the injury, Jones gripped the bat, showing how he leaves the pinky on his lower hand (when batting left-handed) off the end of the bat.
“That [ring] finger takes a lot of the brunt of my swing,” he said. “When you normally grip the bat with only four fingers, it makes it a lot harder to grip it with three fingers.”
He desperately wants to get back to the postseason. A memory jog for you: When the Braves won the World Series in 1995, Jones was a rookie.
But he has been spending too many days sitting or whiffing. The Braves are doing well, but Jones is not playing to the level he either hopes or expects. And he is not one to sit around and collect checks.
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162 comments Add your comment
MitchC
June 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
I agree with you, Jeff. If Chipper really thinks he cant help this team, he will retire. Chipper understands the team’s payroll constraints, and would rather his 10 to 15 mil salary be designated toward another more productive player who can help the Braves.
Even though he says retirement talk is “premature”, my bet, without even reading whats been written by the AJC writers today, is that Chipper will retire at the end of 2010 if he doesn’t seriously come around. He’s been too good, for too long, to play for a long period of time, as an injured, unproductive player.
Chuckie
June 15th, 2010
1:57 pm
Chipper was not a rookie in 1995. he debuted in ‘93
Ted Striker
June 15th, 2010
1:57 pm
Chipper may have “more pride” than Hampton, but by that measure, Jones also has much more pride than both Tommy Glavine and Johnny Smoltz, two guys who played well past their primes and didn’t want to hang it up even though it was past time. All three of them collected premium money for non-premium production in the last 5 years of their careers. Those three guys were about as beneficial and cost effective to the Braves — at the end — as Stephon Marbury was to the NY Knicks. Yeah, I did. I compared them to Marbury.
curtl
June 15th, 2010
2:02 pm
The knock on Chipper is that he refuses to play though minor injuries. There’s not a man alive who hasn’t done something that needed to get done while hurt.
And if you are making over $10M a year, well, that’s even more reason to go out and do your job.
He doesn’t appear to love the game anymore, that’s the problem.
Brave4life-1995 all over again
June 15th, 2010
2:12 pm
Love the title to this article, well done Jeffy
papadawg
June 15th, 2010
2:17 pm
He may not sit back and collect his money but he sure sits out alot and collects his money. He needs to look at himself playing third and then have enough pride to admit he”s moving like a 3 legged turtle. We all reach the time where we have to admit the body can’t do what the mind thinks it can anymore. Bow out gracefully now Chipper.
Pete*
June 15th, 2010
2:17 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg: “Jeff,
What is the salary ramifications for next season if he does in fact retire?”
If he retires, his salary for the next 2 years is 0. That frees up $14 Mil a year for the Braves to sign someone else, possibly before the trade deadline this year.
In My Head
June 15th, 2010
2:18 pm
So now Chipper is saying….”not so fast” since the media are reporting his retirement.
After such a glowing article about how Chipper ain’t in it for the money and won’t embarrass himself by hanging around if he can’t cut the mustard, Chipper is backing water on any announcement.
Jeff, guess you’ll have to be like the Gilda Radner character on the old Saturday Night Live show. The old woman would go on a rant about something then realize what she said wasn’t valid……so she would sum up her speech by saying….”nevermind.”
Your column and what you said about Chipper? “Nevermind.” lol
Pete*
June 15th, 2010
2:20 pm
Chuckie since he played only 8 games in 1993, his rookie year is considered 1995 (he was 2nd that year in ROY voting). He sat out 1994 with an injury.
Brave man, that Clusters
June 15th, 2010
2:21 pm
Sonny Clusters is always mocking and belittling Chipper. Where does he stand on this issue?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 15th, 2010
2:23 pm
Pete,
Thanks, so by retiring he is forfeiting all the remaining guaranteed money left on his contract? If thats the case this is huge for the Braves heading in 2011.
Pete*
June 15th, 2010
2:25 pm
Lowcountry that is correct; its only guaranteed $ if he stays active. Thats why this is so critical to the Braves going forward, and Chipper realizes that Im sure. Even allows Wren to sign someone before trade deadline this year cause Braves pick up “only” half the salary.
chipperisnohit
June 15th, 2010
2:27 pm
Jeff
Tell me this, if Chipper is not the one to sat around and collect checks, why have he been doing it. For so long the media and the Atlanta Braves commentators have been protective when it comes to the name Chipper Jones. Granted he is no Hampton, but he is very close. Whit Hampton we only tried to rely on him every 5th start. So, it was far to many games to take notice of him not been in the line-up. Chipper it has been a great run, but its time to head to the ranch
Pepe Le Pew
June 15th, 2010
2:28 pm
Pepe says…Why did everyone leave? Oh, but of course! Already I have achieved a post of honor, and have been left to defend the fort. Viva la Braves! Free Larree!
It's always about the money
June 15th, 2010
2:35 pm
You people are smoking crack if you think that Chipper is going to pass on just about all of the $28M he’s got coming to him in the next 2 years. The only way Chipper is going to retire is with an agreement to pay him the majority of that money in some other capacity (ie. “a position with the organization”) Someone needs to slap Bobby Cox in the head a few times so he wakes up and stops batting Chipper 3rd in the lineup.
Phil
June 15th, 2010
2:39 pm
Cox would keep Chipper in the 3rd spot until he’s 60 years old if Cox himself stuck around that long. Cox needs to drop Chipper down, rotate him in and out of the lineup and try and get him healthy. Thank God Cox is gone after this year.
Sonny Clusters
June 15th, 2010
2:42 pm
Some dummy had this to say . . . “Sonny Clusters is always mocking and belittling Chipper. Where does he stand on this issue?” What issue was we talking about? Was you home schooled?
Chipper has had some big walks this season and we was with him on every one.
Roy Hobbs
June 15th, 2010
2:44 pm
Thank you for the nice article about Chipper. Truly one of the greats to ever wear a Braves uniform.
Poorbrave
June 15th, 2010
2:45 pm
The real deal, a team player and will make a great Coach are Manager. God Bless you Chipper and thanks for all the thrills.
Sonny Clusters
June 15th, 2010
2:49 pm
Jeff, do you remember when Jim Minter retired and we was all standing there and he said we could have his desk and somebody said, “nobody will ever again sit at that desk” and we all started crying and then the new publisher came up and said “we’re going to leave a blank space in the paper where Jim might have written something” and you said, “wouldn’t that be like letting somebody that can’t hit bat third?”
Herschel Talker
June 15th, 2010
2:52 pm
Schultzie:
If Glaus keeps up this hitting, what do you think about re-signing him and putting him at 3B next year and promoting Freeman (Freddie, not Marvin)?
HT
Dozer
June 15th, 2010
2:54 pm
I still think both him & Bobby will be back next year. If he retired, the most relieved person would be Wren – he would be off the hook for that ridiculous extension he gave CJ…..
Train Wreck Bystander
June 15th, 2010
2:56 pm
I can’t see Chipper retiring in mid-season. I just can’t.
Bob Horner's Blonde Mullet
June 15th, 2010
3:07 pm
Herschel: If Glaus keeps up his hitting, we will not be able to re-sign him because he’s going to be looking for big bucks. Right now, we’re paying him $1.75 M — rest assured, if he hits 30 with 100RBI, he’ll be looking for 9-10 million.
I didn’t realize Chipper went to Bobby and gave his blessing to be moved down. That’s definitely a classy move, and the right thing to do. However, Bobby’s decision to keep him in the 3 hole is baffling. “225? Come on kid!”
steve brown
June 15th, 2010
3:10 pm
Mike Jay, I’m not a hunter but can he shoot with either hand as he switch hits in baseball. Perhaps he holds the “huntin” switch shooting record for most animals killed both left handed and right handed. The ultimate red neck role model.
Bob Horner's Blonde Mullet
June 15th, 2010
3:12 pm
I still love the comment posted by Charlie Daniels last week: “Chipper may’ve stumbled, but he ain’t never fell, and if the Phillies don’t bellieve that, they can all go straight to hell”
Classic post!
Jared
June 15th, 2010
3:13 pm
I hope he doesn’t retire. He has been the face of this team for seventeen years, and he has been very loyal to the Braves. I hope you fans give him the respect that he has earned over these years.
Herschel Talker
June 15th, 2010
3:14 pm
Bob Horner’s Blonde Mullet:
If Chipper retires, and $14MM comes off the books, I suspect we can sign whomever we want.
HT
In My Head
June 15th, 2010
3:38 pm
“Chipper Jones has more pride than to sit back, collect checks”
And this from the AP:
“The 38-year-old Jones, who won the NL MVP award in 1998 and led the league in hitting just two years ago, said he planned to meet with general manager Frank Wren and manager Bobby Cox to discuss some “red tape issues.” Asked if those involved a resolution of his contract, Jones replied, “That would be fair to say.”
So he has more pride than to sit back, collect checks?
Damn Jeff, sounds like that is EXACTLY what Chipper is gonna do! Maybe not 28 mil for the next two years but sounds like he wants to make the Braves pay him to retire!
Chipper may be proud, but he ain’t gonna say, “I’m retiring, cut and dried” and walk away without the Braves having to pay him to walk away.
No Doubt
June 15th, 2010
4:00 pm
In My Head, I think the contract resolution has more to do with paying him less than Chipper trying to collect more money. A contract resolution does not generally mean a buyout. He’s probably talking about tweaking his contract so that he doesn’t get paid that astronomical amount. However, Chipper has made many contractual sacrifices in the past and that the last extension was a reward of sorts for that reason. Yeah, he’s a millionaire, but you always want to get market value wherever you work. Their value tends to be way more than ours. He deserves the money, its just hard to watch declining stars. #10 is still the man.
Chess
June 15th, 2010
4:10 pm
They call me Mr. Glass….
tell it like it is
June 15th, 2010
4:50 pm
release him now,Don’t let him run under the bank with all that money hes not earning.Send me a ck i didn’t do anything.
Jack G.
June 15th, 2010
4:55 pm
Management is hopeing Chipper will retire so they can save big bucks. Chipper is waiting on Management to negotiate a settlement of his contract so he can retire.
Jack G.
June 15th, 2010
4:56 pm
Its a waiting game.
dean
June 15th, 2010
5:02 pm
tell it like it is @ 4:50
Proof that envy is a true sin.
It’s always about the money | KVM-News
June 15th, 2010
5:47 pm
[...] It’s always about the money Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 It’s always about the money Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) The only way Chipper is going to retire is with an agreement to pay him the majority of that money in some other capacity (ie. … http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/15/chipper-jones-has-more-pride-than-to-sit-back-coll... [...]
ScottBravesfan
June 15th, 2010
6:19 pm
He’ll always be the Met killer in Atlanta!
Just guessing
June 15th, 2010
6:33 pm
So, what you’re saying is … Sonny Clusters is Norman Arey?
Just guessing
June 15th, 2010
6:40 pm
Or maybe Chipper himself? Will all be revealed some day?
Sonny Clusters
June 15th, 2010
7:04 pm
All the little deer should be worrying about now with Chipper threatening retirement. That means he will be heading to the Double Dime for some huntin’. The trigger finger is still sound and that does not bode well for deerdom. We would never shoot a little deer unless that deer had a high powered weapon of his own so it would be a fair fight. We was wondering if Chipper ever faced down a deer that was carrying a gun? We read about the time he and Laroche was huntin’ and they found some tracks and was following them and they went into a tunnel and was almost hit by a train.
Tweets that mention http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/15/chipper-jones-has-more-pride-than-to-sit-back-collect-checks/?cxntfid=blogs_jeff_schultz_blog%3Futm_source%3Dpingback -- Topsy.com
June 15th, 2010
7:07 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by . said: [...]
Ken Stallings
June 15th, 2010
7:14 pm
I just want to add what I wrote in reply to Mark Bradley’s column.
He has been a class player his whole career and he will retire a class player!
It is sad that age catches up to everyone — a reality of life and a game.
One thing is true, he deserves to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection. If he is not, it will mark a low point for the BWAA’s duties in voting for the HoF.
I think when he does make the official announcement, we might see Bobby Cox cry. I don’t think it will be the only case in the audience either!
Many in the media included.
Joe
June 15th, 2010
7:18 pm
What contract issues? If he retires, he gets nothing…….geesh.
KaiserSouze
June 15th, 2010
7:24 pm
First saw Chipper when he was a 18yr.old SS for the Savannah Braves. I believe it was single A ball. He was averaging 2 errors a game along with likely 2 doubles. The Kid can hit, from either side of the plate, played for one team the Bravos. Only unforced error was with a Hooter girl( loved the wings and the color orange ), manned up as a father. Yeah, Hall of Famer in my book and many others’ too.
KaiserSouze
June 15th, 2010
7:27 pm
By the way, loved the way Larry killed the Mets! He played the game the way you wanted your son to play it, with love and respect.
We're LIVE from Braves (Chipper and Kawakami are still here) | Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
7:27 pm
[...] In case you missed it: 1) Chipper Jones is in the line-up tonight; 2) He obviously hasn’t retired yet. But everything points to an announcement soon. I spoke to Jones before the game and have updated and re-written the column, which is online now. [...]
Bill
June 15th, 2010
7:33 pm
Chipper has been great for Atlanta. I hope he can play effectively another year or two. But if he retires, or stays, I wish him the best.
Chop Chop
June 15th, 2010
7:38 pm
I never hated the Mets as much as some of you. We always beat up on them. Hard for me to hate what we own, you know? I do still hate the ‘97 Marlins. I also hate the ‘91 Dodgers and that sumbeach Twin Kent Hrbek, too.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:16 pm
Sorry folks. Been late getting back to comments, but, uh, been kinda busy. Here goes …
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:17 pm
MatthewH — Yes. Seven teams are still paying Hampton. No, just kidding. Really, it’s only six. Also IBM and Coca Cola owe him stock.