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
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:17 pm
Wooooo! I think he’s calling it but that’s just a gut feeling.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:18 pm
Casey Washington — send me the cleaning bill. (Thanks.)
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:19 pm
David C — He won the batting title in 2008. Are you saying he took PEDs and quit after 2008? Because, like, there was testing, ya know.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:20 pm
Mike Jay — I don’t think Chipper is retiring during the season.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:21 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg — There is no salary cap. Braves have their own self-imposed budget. Also, there’s no “signing bonus” situation whereby an amount of money that has been prorated over three years now creates a cap hit. Short answer: not a factor.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:22 pm
Thanks, Chief Pitchanono (funny name).
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:23 pm
MitchC — I sense the only thing “premature” about the story is Braves want to make an announcement, and there might possibly some contractual issue to work out.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:24 pm
Brave4life-1995 … Thanks man.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:25 pm
Chipperisnot — What are you talking about? He won a batting title 2 years ago. Last season was his first bad year in, like, forever. Was he supposed to retire one year after winning a batting title? What would tell him 2009 was not an aberration?
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:27 pm
Sonny Clusters — Sonny. Put … down … the pipe.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:27 pm
Herschel Talker — I think the Glaus re-signing decision is one that you don’t make until after the season.
Jeff Schultz
June 15th, 2010
8:30 pm
In My Head — I think you’re reading that from the wrong angle. I believe that is coming from the Braves’ standpoint. For all I know they may want to work out some sort of post-career deal for him. Remember, the organization just brought back Tom Glavine and in time they’ll probably do the same with John Smoltz.
Big Steve
June 15th, 2010
8:36 pm
Again, Chipper takes over the headlines with this retirement crap. He did it last year when the Braves went on a late season tear and came a few games from making the playoffs. And now, when the last thing the Braves need is a distraction. We get it Chipper…..you’re older, you get injured all the time, you’re not seeing the ball that well. It happens to everyone. But it’s time to take your medicine like everyone else. Be a leader…..work yourself back in the lineup like everyone else and support your team in the process. It’s not about you anymore, buddy. You are an outstanding player, nobody can argue that. Right now, you have an opportunity to become the leader that many have questioned. You’re numbers speak for themselves, you have nothing to prove to us. Just stop with these distractions. Retire, or don’t…..we’ll live.
retired on the lake
June 15th, 2010
9:17 pm
“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!”
Ridiculous ….negotiating out of a contract to the benefit of all concerned, ain’t capitalism great!
Ed Olwine
June 15th, 2010
10:51 pm
Praise Todd Van Poppel! Analogous to being rejected by Rosie O’Donnell and having to “settle” for Angelina Jolie…..or, closer to home, a super hot Hooters’ waitress.
CaptainMudderland
June 16th, 2010
1:35 am
Word of knowledge to Braves fans: Celebrate and embrace this team–the team is the story of 2010.
Jeff Schultz
June 16th, 2010
1:58 am
Folks — it’s late. Just wanted to let you know I just added some pretty good quotes from Chipper Jones’ father, Larry, who was at the game.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/15/chipper-jones-has-more-pride-than-to-sit-back-collect-checks/
Greensboro, Georgia
June 16th, 2010
3:29 am
————————————–
……Nesbitt for Heisman……
————————————–
newgafatboy
June 16th, 2010
7:02 am
this is a little early but, thanks Chipper, Hell of a run son.
BobDawg
June 16th, 2010
7:30 am
…. Good Ole “Hangar Queen” Hampton…. my Dad always asked how he was doing and I asked about the “Hangar Queen” reference… He said in WWII, if you had a plane that always was in the Hangar for repairs…. They called it a “Hangar Queen”… too funny…..
robdawg08
June 16th, 2010
9:42 am
Bobby will probably cry ten minutes when Chipper retires then pick his nose for four minutes during the next game…
PMC
June 16th, 2010
10:09 am
When I watched Evan Longoria hit that bomb last night it made me think of Chipper 13 years ago. It’s going to be odd not seeing #10 posted by 3rd base. Players like him have made entire careers for other people that’s how good he was.
LFP6
June 16th, 2010
10:14 am
Maybe the torch should be passed from Chipper to Brooks. But thats just me.
Jimbo
June 16th, 2010
10:16 am
Chip may not be Hampton, but let’s hope he’s not this guy either: http://TwitPWR.com/KHz/
Don
June 16th, 2010
11:07 am
It would be difficult for any player (Chipper included – no matter how much he talks about wanting what is best for the team) to actully quit and walk away from 42 million guaranteed dollars (14 million per year for 3 years indlucing this year).
We will see whether he actually does this without getting a significant buyout or without getting a job in the organization with an inflated salary.
Of course, if he does get a significant buyout or an inflated salary job, this does not help that much – Because this will still be taking up a significant part of the salary budget that needs to be used to acquire a productive player or players.
Obviously, the problem of this huge 42 million dollar contract taking up so much of the slary budget is not Chipper’s fault. The Braves made the decision to give this contract to an aging player who was already missing significant time because of injuries. We could not expect Chipper to refuse to take it.
Don
June 16th, 2010
11:25 am
The fact that Chipper has been hitting in the 3rd spot in the batting order all of last season and now for 1/3 of this season – and not producing anything like a 3rd place hitter – is not Chipper’s fault.
Cox is the one keeping him in the 3rd spot in the batting order — It is unbelievable that he has kept him hitting third in the order without him producing now for a full season and 1/3 of another season. This is just one more example of Cox’s incompetence. This is not to say that Chipper should not have been in the lineup for most of this time — but in the 3rd spot in the batting order – PLEASE
Ross
June 16th, 2010
11:27 am
I am so sick of “As Chipper Churns” I want to throw up. Is this an asskissing society or a baseball team? I want to see hard-nosed competitors like Hinske and Conrad and Heyward and Prado getting their unis dirty trying to score runs. I want to see the little bulldog Medlen getting people out. I want to see Escobar making those amazing throws to first. I want to see Glaus pounding the outfield with those booming drives. I DON’T want to hear another chapter in the ongoing saga of a $15,000,000 prima-donna’s Goetterdaemmerung. A man with any balls would find a way to retire gracefully and set his team and manager free.
Reid Adair
June 16th, 2010
11:42 am
It is a shame that things went crazy in the media yesterday as they did; Chipper Jones doesn’t deserve to have news get out like that.
But there’s obviously something to it if he’s not denying it. As I have said, whether he decides to retire at the end of this season or give it another year, I’ll respect his decision. He’s earned that, in my mind.
Marcie
June 16th, 2010
12:28 pm
Chipper hasn’t been productive for years. Is he just realizing this now/?????
skipper
June 16th, 2010
12:36 pm
Yeah, right and I’ve got some Oil free beach property in Alabama that I’ll sell you.
Techman
June 16th, 2010
12:48 pm
In 2009, Jones was hitting 335 as of June 9th and was 290 mid August, and near 290 at the end of August. For those of you who say he should’ve known from last year, you are crazy. He simply had a bad two months.
Baseballbuff
June 16th, 2010
1:17 pm
Sure, Chipper has pride and is embarrassed by his level of play, particularly considering the money he is making. But in non-baseball terms he is still quite young at 38. This will probably be his last big MLB contract. He will never in his life make money like this again. Whatever career he pursues after baseball, it may very well pay him only 50K to 75K a year. Walking away from the $35 million or so he has left on his contract would be nuts, and I hope his parents tell him as much. So get real Schultz and the rest of you idiots. Jones is over the hill and his pride is hurt, but he’s not crazy.
Tea
June 16th, 2010
1:32 pm
Here’s to you Chipper. You are a class act, a loyal and selfless team member and a hof player, in that order.
kent
June 16th, 2010
1:41 pm
he doesn’t want to retire- he wants a buyout. Big difference that should be reported. Hardly the saint that you are portraying.
Geezer
June 16th, 2010
1:41 pm
Too Bad Kawakami doesn’t have the same feelings……He would have already jumped on the fastest plane back to Japan – and that would be no loss to the Braves.
M2E
June 16th, 2010
1:50 pm
Chipper proved he’s not out for the money when he resigned with the Barves the last time. Not to mention the contract restructuring he did so the team could sign other free agents. Chipper at 60% is still better than what a lot of other teams have every day and he should go when he is ready and all we should say thank you very much.
It’s always about the money | goodne.ws
June 16th, 2010
1:51 pm
[...] 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... Tags: agreement, way, blog, Chipper, capacity var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; [...]
tell it like it is
June 16th, 2010
2:02 pm
Get real people,he’s in it for the money.Larry hasn’t done anything in 2 years.i agree with Ross.I didn’t do anything,send me a ck.
PEDs possible
June 16th, 2010
2:06 pm
I’m as big a Chipper fan as anyone, but I don’t find it unreasonable at all to at least consider the possibility of him using PEDs for some period of time during his career. For many years he was much larger and more physically imposing than he is today, which I realize age can account for some of that.
Unfortunately many of the players who were around in the late-90s/early 2000s will have this cloud over them because of the lack of oversight from MLB. As mentioned in a previous posting PEDs are used for shortening recovery time, however they also break the body down later in life causing additional injuries.
Chipper Jones hinting towards retirement
June 16th, 2010
2:27 pm
[...] [...]
BG
June 16th, 2010
2:31 pm
I didn’t know Chipper was still playing.
Skeezix
June 16th, 2010
2:32 pm
I hope he gets it going, the Braves get to the playoffs, do well and he and Bobby get to finish out their careers on a high note.
John
June 16th, 2010
2:38 pm
Bull do do. The man is a um and a horrible on defense. Retire the bum and forget him.
Phil
June 16th, 2010
2:38 pm
Chipper if you do go, for the love of God please make sure Bobby goes with you as planned and don’t let him pull a Bret Favre on us. We’ve been waiting 10 years for that clown to leave.
JASon
June 16th, 2010
2:40 pm
$14 million to hit .228 and not take care of his body. Meanwhile the rest of us are struggling to make ends meet. How can anybody defend this jerk. Did you people forget his quote about how his batting average didn’t matter because he was getting on base with walks? This guy is a complete disgrace- he does nothing but bring this team down. $14,000,000.
Biff Pocahontas
June 16th, 2010
2:51 pm
I’m sure i’ll be in the minority, but I’m gonna defend Mike Hampton. the guy tried – he worked his butt off, and wanted with all his heart to contribute, to get on the mound and prove he was still a major league pitcher. and when he was able to pitch, he was often pretty effective. He was not at retirement age.
Yet you appealed to the lowest common denominator (which admittedly is probably a large percentage of your readership), and took a swipe at Hampton. You implied that he stuck around only for the paycheck and the he didn’t have pride. Neither of those things is true, and you should know better.
I’m not a Hampton fan particularly, and I was glad to see him go. But I felt bad for the guy, because he was giving it everything he had, and obviously felt terrible about not being able to contribute.
Show some class Schultz. You were writing about a franchise player making perhaps the classiest move he’s ever made, and you just looked petty by comparison.
RonnieMac
June 16th, 2010
2:53 pm
I hope he goes out on his terms, and on top. Let’s just hope he doesn’t pull a Farve.
RonnieMac
June 16th, 2010
2:53 pm
Sorry.. that’s Favre.
bushwacker
June 16th, 2010
2:59 pm
Thats riduculous, Chipper dosen’t need the money, he would never just collect a check.
Pride is part of it, but its not the only reason and not even the main reason he will retire at the end of the season.
Yes, for some one who has always played at such a high level hitting 230 sucks and is embarrassing to Chipper.
But the biggest reason he will retire is because another season “after this one” of hitting .250 or less would probably drop his lifetime batting avg under .300.
And I promise you, for GREAT HITTERS, a lifetime batting avg of .300 or higher means more than 500 hrs!
Don’t believe me, think about it.
At @430 HR’s, Chipper could easliy go to the American League and DH for 3-4 seasons and eventually get to 500 HR’s.
But to do so, he would have to accept 3-4 seasons of sub 300 batting avg’s, leaving him with a career avg under .300.
Obviously Chipper is choosing .300 or 500.
He has enough hr’s to qualify, that .300 lfetime avg will help put him over the top for the HOF.
GREAT CAREER CHIPPER
Brenda Sue
June 16th, 2010
3:00 pm
The hothouse flower has now got boo boo finger?? Didn’t he have boo boo toe not too long ago?
And he calls himself an athlete? Give me a break.