Chipper feeling young again, and Kawakami, Braves benefit
Chipper Jones' three-run homer gave the Braves a 3-1 lead and tied him with Cal Ripken Jr.
When Chipper Jones retires – and all assumptions on that should be off the table right now because a 38-year-old whose body screams, “Help!” every other day just watched a 100-mile-per-hour fastball fly through in the shadows and cranked it for a 400 foot home run – he will remember this.
He will remember the euphoria of the moment: A three-run shot that put his team ahead and resuscitated an 0-9 Kenshin Kawakami (who in his mind might have been half way to Hartsfield).
He will remember the historical significance: Home run No. 431 of his career tied him with childhood hero Cal Ripken Jr.
He certainly will remember the embarrassment that followed: Running to third base for the eighth inning, not immediately realizing his teammates had stayed behind so he would be out there alone, in the middle of a standing ovation from 39,000 fans.
“I felt naked out there,” he said later.
The Braves won a baseball game 4-3 over Detroit on Saturday at Turner Field. They still have 97 to go in the season. But some games just seem bigger than others.
Kenshin Kawakami allowed a run and two hits in seven innings for his first win. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
Kawakami, the Schleprock of the team, had one leg into the bullpen and the other into a therapist’s office when he took the mound. He was 0-for-2010. The imminent return of Jair Jurrjens, combined with the rise of Kris Medlen, likely meant his number was up in the rotation after this start. For all we know, it might still mean that. But he threw a gem for seven innings, allowing the Tigers only two hits and one painful run (walk; sketchy infield single when Kawakami bungled fielding a bunt; wild pitch; groundout).
He trailed 1-0, sitting in the dugout in the bottom of the seventh, when Jones stepped to the plate against the fire-breathing reliever, Joel Zumaya, with two on and two out. The first pitch was a ball. The second pitch, a 100-mph fastball, was belted 400 feet over the right-center field wall.
“You wish you could take that swing and bottle it for the next time,” Jones said. “All of the moons lined up right there.”
He then referenced tying Ripken, adding: “His number is as special to me as any other number and I’ll get. To have it happen when we were behind in the game, you can’t have it any better.”
Ten days ago, Jones ended the public Hamlet act on retirement. He now has a 10-game hitting streak, hitting .389 in that span. As for what he means to this team: How’s this for an embrace? When Jones left the dugout for the eighth, all his teammates stayed behind. Jones stood out there alone for at least 15 seconds, at one point raising his arms and looking back into the dugout.
“It seemed like an eternity,” Jones said.
It was a rare moment. I know this because no Brave, not Bobby Cox, not even Furman Bisher, could remember seeing it before. I thought for sure Bisher would say, “Saw the Tigers do that once for Hank Greenberg back in ‘41. Schoolboy Rowe was pitching. It was a Tuesday.”
Jones again: “As it’s coming down to the end, I’ve learned to soak it in every time something [special] happens because you don’t know how many times it will happen.”
Also this: “I’m going to kill my teammates. I’m going to fine them all in kangaroo court.”
Kawakami sweated it out to the end. Relievers Takashi Saito and Eric O’Flaherty combined to allow a homer and four consecutive walks in the ninth, making the score 4-3. Kawakami, watching on TV in the clubhouse, acknowledged later that after each walk, “I kept changing seats” in hopes of changing his luck.
The last seat must have worked because, with the bases loaded, Peter Moylan threw a full count pitch to Johnny Damon that looked a foot outside, but umpire Gary Cederstrom called it strike three. If he calls it a ball, the game is tied, Kawakami doesn’t get the win and Jones’ homer loses significance.
“A little drama in the last inning,” Cox said later.
Just adds to the moment.
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80 comments Add your comment
asheville dawg
June 27th, 2010
12:32 pm
The look on Chipper’s face was priceless in the 8th inning.Look into who thought that one up!
Gumby
June 27th, 2010
12:48 pm
I agree with you Eddie, but there are some people like Jerry, Fire Frank Wren and all you other Naysayers that would gripe if you handed out $100 bills because theirs were wrinkled instead of new.
And regarding the last pitch and Leyland griping……I’ll remind him of an infamous name that he beneifitted for an NLCS championship….Eric Greg!!!!!
Go Braves.
Youtube........
June 27th, 2010
12:51 pm
I missed the ballgame yesterday, had a hard time finding video of the Chipper ovation, but did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNy6frzx5PQ
The Chipper HR and ovation are the last half.
Fire Frank Wren
June 27th, 2010
1:37 pm
Eddie, what are you smoking my man. I said nothing negative and by the way you don’t own this blog so kiss my grits.
Time
June 27th, 2010
1:37 pm
@BigD – I think he will keep it up as long as he can keep himself in relative good health. He’s still got all the bat speed he needs to crush balls. As evidenced yesterday. Alot of times you’ll see a aging superstar put together one more short couple month long run of play that reminds you of when they were in their prime’s. I think this is what you see from Chipper in the second half.
Hey Schultz, what gives???
June 27th, 2010
2:25 pm
Jeff,
What gives? I’ve been reading your biased thoughts on kayakami since at least his 3rd outing. Yes, he was 0-9. No pitcher wants that record. BUT, how may quality starts as he had in his outings this year? You’re naive if you don’t think his #s support a much more attractive W/L ratio.
Ask any scout what they pay more attn to?
W/L ratio or quality starts
If you use your prescribed rationale then jurrjens had a mediocre season last year at best, considering his W/L record of 14-10, even though he had a 2.60 ERA
jesse james
June 27th, 2010
2:28 pm
It is funny how a call like that doesn’t get noticed like the Jim Joyce call. And this strike call determined a ball game. Jim Joyce call was alot tougher and had no bearing on the outcome. Just goes to show you that stats in baseball are alot more important than in other sports.
joe
June 27th, 2010
2:55 pm
this will be the 4th game of the season that Hanson has butchered with 6+ runs given up in short innings (San Diego,Cinn.,CWS and now Detroit) For supposedly being a “power” pitcher his fastball doesn’t blow anybody away at 92-94mph with very little movement and his location often stinks. Also the Braves pitchers in general don’t field their position well ( unlike Maddox, Glavine, Smoltz, etc.) and Hanson hurt himself with a terrible pickoff throw early in the game. Can you say “sophmore slump” ?
Bubba G
June 27th, 2010
3:14 pm
Why does bobby leave pitchers out there when they are getting butchered!! I have trouble understanding his logic behind some of his desicions! We need to get this win but it’s gonna be hard to overcome this 4 run hole we are in!
Urban Meyer
June 27th, 2010
5:30 pm
Not young enough to play everyday! Time for Chipper and Bobby to both retire!
Techman
June 27th, 2010
5:47 pm
No Fire Frank Wren, I get no royalties. I just feel bad for the guy because he undeservedly gets crapped on. After today, if you’re going to crap on KK, I think the same needs to be done to Hanson.
But allow me to say neither should be crapped on. They’re both doing pretty good jobs.
dawg4u
June 27th, 2010
6:40 pm
The line on Furman Bisher was great. It brought back memories of growing up. I was 10 years old in 1964 and Furman was sports editor of the Journal even then. His columns on the Masters, UGA, GT and the Braves and Falcons were always right on plus he always had a column on Thanksgiving citing all the many things he was thankful for. The column he wrote after his mother died made me cry. Furman is truly a legend in sports here in Atlanta and so glad he is still “right on.”
Idot
June 27th, 2010
7:07 pm
I believe that Chipper is juiced up…………..on Geritol.
I think that he finally took my advice, and he is taking his regular doseage of the magic elixir everyday.
10-4
June 27th, 2010
8:24 pm
Ok, Jeff , lets hear that article about how Hanson is a bum and needs to be let go. He’s been pitching poorly lately, time to focus your Kawakami hate on him.
rugburn
June 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
as of today’s stats, kk has a better era than hanson.who do we put in in the bullpen now. kk has pitched some very good games. hanson’s record is better only because of better run support. he hasn’t pitched better. also there is only about .1 difference to lowe’s. so… do we have good pitching or bad?
Techman
June 27th, 2010
10:52 pm
I’m not about to say Hanson’s not a better pitcher than Lowe/KK. My argument is KK is not as bad as people on here make him. Now that one of the sainted pitcher’s #’s are a little worse than KK, I hope that will help people realize KK ain’t that bad.
If you look at the strikeouts, Hanson still has the stuff. I think he’s just having issues with his placement.
is30303
June 28th, 2010
1:19 am
Where is the “Hanson Experiment is over” or the “Heyward Experiment is over” blog??
a follow up to the “KK will go 0 – 24″ blog should be “Hanson will never win a game for the rest of his career” or ” Heyward is the next Francour”
or better yet, write about how the Braves beats up on weak teams . . .
Leave the Braves Blogs to DOB
SimpleDawg
June 28th, 2010
7:14 am
The Bullpen almost recorded a gave….as in gave it away, instead of a save.
When a guy hits the ball, one of 2 things happen…1 good, 1 bad.
When a guy walks….he’s on base 100% of the time.
Throw a damn strike…especially to a guy batting under.180 !
TommyJack
June 28th, 2010
8:22 am
Hey Jeff: Is the entire staff taking snow days? Good grief, man.
Prado>KJ
June 28th, 2010
10:57 am
Wow “joe” you posted that same stupid comment on every story. Again, how many games have you butchered in MLB? Oh yeah, that’s right you have no experience! So stop acting like it!!!
Ted Striker
June 28th, 2010
2:35 pm
Classy move by Jones’ teammates.
DawgDad
June 28th, 2010
2:38 pm
Cox keeps saying Hansen’s mechanics aren’t messed up but I’m not buying that. He pitches like a light pole – an upright spin with no back bend at all. His pitches are all up and straight. I’m suspecting he needs more back and lower body in his motion to get a down angle on his pitches and he might be dropping his shoulder or elbow a bit, too.
Last couple of games about the only pitches he’s thrown below the belt have been breaking balls.
Joe Don't Go Squad
June 28th, 2010
3:23 pm
http://joe_dont_go.WebStarts.com/index.html
Jimbo
June 28th, 2010
3:50 pm
Here’s your Strasburg 2010 Tour stop prediction for Atlanta: http://TwitPWR.com/Lcr/
Delbert D.
June 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
““All of the moons lined up right there.”
Chipper is channeling Yogi Berra.
tt44
June 28th, 2010
4:51 pm
Fellas, I dont like the team prankin like they do… when they leave someone alone! Like “no hit” Mcclouth, leaving him in the dug out,,shoot we lost 9 in a row….I mean, its funny but,,,ill advised say me! And, now with chipper, left alone…I am worried here we go again…because yesterday the Braves played just as pittiful, just like they did in 9game loosing streak! Am I superstitious? YEP! I am, be that as it may….thats just a fact…I have even noticed when Chipper has the short hair cut, he hits better! lol! Believe it or not!!Check it out! Matter of fact…Escobar homers tongight! Believe it or not! Know why? Just because! Go Braves, (chipper get a haircut! )
tt44
June 28th, 2010
4:57 pm
One more thing….MY GOODNESS BOBBY, YOU ARE NOT GOOD AT MAKING PITCHING DECISONS! I COULD’VE COACHED MADDUX, GLAVINE, SMOLTZ, AVERY TO A WORLD SERIES AND WON MORE THAN ONE! YOUR PITCHING THERIES ARE AWFUL! YEP, WHY EVEN MAKE THE CHANGE, UNLESS LOWE SAID HE COULDNT GO…AND WHY IN THE WORLD WASNT B.WAGNER BROUGHT IN WHEN IT WAS 4-2…HECK, WHY WAIT…DANG IT…..IF YOU WANNA DO SOMETHING BESIDES HAVE A SO SO SEASON, LET SOMEONE ELSE MAKE THOSE PITCHING DECISIONS!!!!
tt44
June 28th, 2010
4:58 pm
AND kk TOOO ON PITCHING
tt44
June 28th, 2010
4:59 pm
I MEAN kk ON THE 4-3 GAME, DONE GOT MY BP UP WHERE I CANT THINK STRAIGHT! LOL…….
Baldemar Huerta
July 10th, 2010
12:01 pm
Yep, back spasms really make you feel young.