Chipper Jones gets hit in return and takes a swing at critics
Chipper Jones had a single in first spring game since his knee injury last August. (AP photo)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Seventeen years ago this spring, Chipper Jones turned to avoid a tag at first base in an otherwise meaningless exhibition and his knee buckled. He heard a pop. Then he heard a doctor say, “torn ACL.” At 21 years old, he wondered if his career was toast.
“Honestly, I was a lot more scared the first time this happened,” he said Sunday. “I didn’t know anything about the injury. I didn’t know if I could be the same player that I was before.”
Jones’ second attempt to come back from a reconstructed knee began in earnest Sunday. He played in a game for the first time since suffering a torn ACL last August. In an exhibition against the New York Mets, he went one for three (strikeout, single, flyout) as a designated hitter and even broke up a would-be double play at second base — with a cautious and “measured” slide.
“Once the season starts it will be, ‘Go after him.’ Right there, it was, ‘Don’t blow out [the knee in] the first game,’” he said, smiling.
Baby steps. Unlike when Jones was injured as a rookie, he is confident he can pull this off. It’s others who wonder.
When an athlete pushing 39 has reconstructive knee surgery, the tendency is to speak about them in past tense. Or worse. Some cynics not only question Jones physically, they wonder if money is his primary motivation. This accusation generally comes from the short-sighted, ignorant and disturbed segment of the populace that vents on sports talk radio and posts comments on blogs, all behind the comfort of anonymity.
When I asked Jones about the accusation, he laughed.
Then he swung away.
“If they think I’m doing this for the money, they obviously haven’t seen my bank account,” he said. “I’ve never played this game for money. Nor will I. My mind doesn’t work that way. I play this game because I love my teammates and they wanted me to come back.
“I still feel like I have something to offer, and the cynical fan can really kiss my ass. I really don’t care. There’s a bunch of true fans and the people who actually want to take the time to get to know me know who I am. The guy who sits in his mom’s basement and types on his mom’s computer, I couldn’t really care less about.”
Everybody else gets a big hug.
Jones has made over $141 million in his career, including $127 million in the last 10 years alone. To blow through that much cash would require dropping paychecks into a food processor or possibly just being your average former heavyweight champion.
Doing it for the money?
There are a lot of reasons to be cynical about pro sports today. Chipper Jones isn’t one of them.
In mid-June last year, when he was still hitting .230, retirement was imminent. His mother even cracked that he should sacrifice a chicken. But over the next several weeks, his timing returned, his legs felt stronger. In his last 19 games before suffering the injury, he hit .349 (22 for 63) with three homers, five doubles, nine walks and 12 RBIs.
“I just felt locked in,” he said. “Unfortunately it took a few months for that to happen, but better late than never. Then the injury hits and I’m in a new frame of mind. If the injury would’ve happened a month and a half earlier, I probably would’ve retired. Timing is everything.”
The closeness of last year’s Braves team also played a role in his decision to return. “If this was a team like we had four or five years ago, things might be different,” he said. “We all like hanging out together. That’s unusual in this day and age.”
The knee has flared up periodically in the spring. But so far there has been nothing that ice and a day off couldn’t cure.
“I just have to get to the point where I’m not Andre Dawson and have to drain it every day when I get to the park,” he said.
If the knee holds up, he believes playing 140 games is realistic. The real test comes when he plays in the field and is required to plant and pivot for a throw.
“It just feels good to be playing again,” he said.
And that’s not about money.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Previous posts from Braves’ camp
– Braves camp: Chipper’s return, Uggla’s debut, Cox’s spring ejection
– Braves hoping to recreate chemistry from 2010 season
– So what does Freddie Freeman (3 doubles) do for an encore?
– Digi-Blog goes to Braves’ spring training at Disney (they charge, I don’t)
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304 comments Add your comment
LTBF
February 27th, 2011
7:39 pm
Some real bad Chipper haters on Jeff’s blog. Chipper haters LIVE WITH IT Chipper is right up there with Hank Aaron as the greatest non-pitcher to ever play with the Braves
Headley Lamar
February 27th, 2011
7:40 pm
This accusation generally comes from the short-sighted, ignorant and disturbed segment of the populace that vents on sports talk radio and posts comments on blogs, all behind the comfort of anonymity.
Best line of the article Jeff.
I go to Spring Training every year and have seen Chipper many times up close. I always get a chuckle out of those who. anonymously of course, call him fragile and this and that knowing full well they wouldn’t say that to his face.
It would be Yes Sir Mr Jones real quick.
5150 UOAD
February 27th, 2011
7:40 pm
Big Earl
I could wake in the morning not having to Pee but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Headley Lamar
February 27th, 2011
7:43 pm
If Chipper was that Hooters waitress(he knocked up) he wouldn’t be getting rich off tips for his great play over the years
He did knock her up. He also was a man about it and admitted it and adopted the child as his own. That child lives with him and is treated no different.
Thats the difference. Chipper is a man and you’re not.
usskittyhawk63
February 27th, 2011
7:47 pm
LOL Chip Fires Back Glad to see you finally got enough of the anti chipper remarks on here way to go buddy glad to see you back good luck this year chip i got your back.
ChrisfromSacramento,CA
February 27th, 2011
7:47 pm
Thank you Chipper for all the memories I have of you and the Braves while I have grown into a young adult. Thank you Chipper for being a role model for my young boy. Shove it up the critics ass and help the Braves win it all.
Haters go play soccer because you could never hit or throw and get out of your moms basement.
"Chef" Tim Dix
February 27th, 2011
7:50 pm
If Schultzie wanted Chipper gone, he could make it happen. He wrote a column last week about former Governor Roy Barnes and now he’s been fired.
What? Not Roy?…Rod?…
Nevermind.
Sonny Clusters
February 27th, 2011
7:50 pm
What is a “true fan” . . . one that idolizes Chipper? Is a true fan and a casual fan the same thing? How about a radiator fan? This is laughable. We was hoping the AJC will find someone new to interview this season.
Ken Stallings
February 27th, 2011
7:53 pm
Beyond the entertaining answer, which was nice, the truth is that only a very few openly said Chipper was doing it to cash in on his contract. Frankly, those few are meaningless trolls.
More people are concerned about Chipper’s ability to hold up over the course of the season, especially given the number of games already missed. But, that is true of most 39 year old players because there are not but a few of them anyway!
One hopes Chipper is able to leave on his terms after this season and not on a bitter injury, which no one wanted to see happen.
81Dawg
February 27th, 2011
7:58 pm
Tell them Chipper. I can’t wait to see you back on the field. Good luck in ‘11. Go Braves.
5150 UOAD
February 27th, 2011
7:59 pm
Headley
So Chipper is a MAN because he did what he was supposed to do and be a DADDY to his child? HAHHAHA. Yea that makes him a MAN. So does standing up to urinate but it ain’t nothing to write home about.
Chipper is a nice guy and a good ball player, but he would never be in my top 20 3rd basemen. Sorry that is just how I feel. He is a Great guy to hunt and fish with.
LakeDawg
February 27th, 2011
8:05 pm
Who said Chipper was just playing for the money? I missed that. Stirring the pot again?
kurula
February 27th, 2011
8:12 pm
if chipper really loved money, he would trademark the phrase ”in this day and age”. but seriously, dude’s a hall of famer and has done a lot to make the braves the franchise they have become. the guy should be allowed to go out whenever he wants. on his terms. when he was winning his MVP award and taking the braves to the playoffs…again….no one wanted him to quit or accused him of being overpaid. he was a bargain (an MVP on that salary is unheard of ”in this day and age”) and will never try to ”jeter” this organization. play ’til the wheels fall off, hoss. you’ve earned it.
Boobi and Chipper Hater
February 27th, 2011
8:13 pm
These folks that gaggle over chipper are like MV7 fans… Too funny!
Braves Win
February 27th, 2011
8:14 pm
“I wonder what he means by true fans? Perhaps the ones that gloss over his child out of wedlock and 20+ errors? Right. Why don’t you just retire with your bank account and open a strip club… adulterer!”
Oh Maggie! I guess your the one who never made a mistake, or your sure sound that way. Your judgemental self and words only set you up for a big fall from the high pinnacle that you have set yourself upon.
Yes Chipper made mistakes. Yes he confessed that he committed adultery. But then he got up from the mess he made and went on not to make the same mistakes again.
That is something I personally can relate to. I have made many mistakes but I am forgiven never intending to make the same errors again.
Since you can point out other peoples mistakes so well, how did you not notice your own failures? Or maybe your just not as smart as you think you are becuase we are taught:
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Go Chip! We love ya! We all forgive ya! Well, except for Maggie.
dawg4u
February 27th, 2011
8:14 pm
I have been a Braves fan since they came to Atlanta from Milwaukee in ‘66. I have seen all the greats here and want to wish Chipper a great season in ‘11. I remember the first time he had that injury and we were all on pins and needles even though Chipper was only 21. I can understand the apprehension of feeling your career could be over at that young age. I know that you have been one of the only “one team guys” in this day and age and am glad that you have stuck with the Bravos for such a long time. Thanks for your service Chipper and kick some butt this year.
Thomas
February 27th, 2011
8:15 pm
Will they (Organization) treat Chipper to the same royal treatment they bestowed on Glavine and Smoltz at their time of departure?
5150 UOAD
February 27th, 2011
8:18 pm
But Chipper is no BOB HORNER. LOL
NCBravesFan
February 27th, 2011
8:23 pm
He said that? Wow – that is simply awesome! And so very refreshing. Good for you, Chipper.
Good luck on the comeback – the real fans of the Braves have your back!
Dawg Whisperer
February 27th, 2011
8:24 pm
I’m a part-time, fair-weather, hard to please baseball fan. I want championship baseball all the time from players that respect the game, their teammates and opponents, and the $30,000.00 year fan who helps to fund the million dollar players (that’s pretty much all of them) whether the player agrees with the fan’s perspective or not. It’s hard to identify with the regular working stiff when you make millions. I do, however, believe that Chipper would play this game for little or nothing.
Dr. Phil
February 27th, 2011
8:29 pm
I think that Chipper is more motivated for another WS ring than the big pay check. I hope that he gets it.
K2
February 27th, 2011
8:32 pm
That shot that Chipper took was completely uncalled for. I’ll have you know that we folks in our Mom’s basements are huge Chipper fans and who recognize that his superior wOBA skills greatly enhance the lineup!
It’s the all-caps, think-necked, hunt-and-peck computer users that are the cynical ones.
Playoffs!?!?
February 27th, 2011
8:36 pm
Here’s a good headline—-Chipper to critics: “Kiss my a**”
danny
February 27th, 2011
8:38 pm
just retire money goblin! he will be hurt by june with a sprained eyelash and continue with his one week on two week off method he used the entire past decade.
cdog
February 27th, 2011
8:41 pm
its just a matter of time.when the season starts, watch the mysterious injuries start to pile up.he need to give a younger, dependable player a chance to play. he’s only wasting his time and the braves also.he’ll be injured more that the games he will try and play
Karin Fulford a.k.a The First Mrs. Jones
February 27th, 2011
8:45 pm
I’ve seen that Bank Account Dear. All the way to the Bank !
jack bauer
February 27th, 2011
8:49 pm
Come on Chipper, you have been stealing money for the last few years. I’m not in it for the money………..really?
jack bauer
February 27th, 2011
8:52 pm
Hey Dawg Whisperer, ask Chipper to if hey will play this year for free.
bostonbravo
February 27th, 2011
8:55 pm
I agree with CECIL et al…go have a few 6 packs & a Jack or 3….just don’t do it so much when the season starts….you aren’t the Mick. (Turns out, “The Mick” wasn’t the “Mick” either.)
A-Ville Ranger
February 27th, 2011
9:09 pm
I’ll take a pass on kissing Larry’s ass but there’s little doubt in my mind the team would have been better off if he’d retired and freed that wad of cash to bring in another free agent. He’s tying up 15 million and odds are he’ll be effective in fewer than 60 games. He also took advantage of a weak manager to stay at 3rd when he should have moved to 1st base 4 years ago.
Chernoff
February 27th, 2011
9:14 pm
“disturbed segment of the populace that vents on sports talk radio ” That includes you, Chuck Oliver.
Scott Anderson
February 27th, 2011
9:23 pm
Larry can say whatever he wants.
what ball players starts spring training talking about water on his knee.
Your supposed to have worked that out the last 3 months and get ready to start the season. This crybaby needs to retire. He is just collecting a paycheck at this point. I thought when Bobby Cox let the molly coddling of Jones would stop.
Guess we dont have to worry as Larry will pull a hammy running to first base in spring training, talk about himeself in the third person, and collect his millions for hitting .250 with 20 home runs.
Go Braves !
Brett Favre was once a Falcon
February 27th, 2011
9:24 pm
Sonny Clusters is back! We was hopin’ you was okay.
TampaGator
February 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
Remarkable….
I have been a Braves fan probably longer than you have been alive…for many years in Atlanta (including going to games when there were only 2,000 or so (many times less) loyal fans at the old stadium and when such great names as Marty Perez was playing SS and Rowland Office was playing CF and Mike Lum was playing 1B….and Mickey Mahler was throwing one HR ball after another….and then experiencing the thrills of ‘91 and ‘95….and I still am a Braves fan now that I am retired in Tampa Bay…..not a Ray. So I think I have earned my right to express opinions on the Braves…and Mr. Jones….no matter what Chipper thinks about them.
I will take what David Justice and Tom Glavine did for Atlanta over what Chipper Jones has done for Altanta any day.
southern bell
February 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
Go get em Chip! Hope you prove all the haters wrong!
Eddie
February 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
Slimeball? Take that crap out of here. Probably written by one whose face looks like a plate of snails.
TampaGator
February 27th, 2011
9:30 pm
P.S…….I am excited that the Braves now have a manager who can “manage” during a game….and not just in the clubhouse. So far, it seems the new manager can do both. Maybe the Braves will have a shot at winning another WS title….now that “Mr. Prevention”…..that being Mr. Bobby Cox…is not “managing” the Braves anymore.
Scott Anderson
February 27th, 2011
9:31 pm
ps – he aint playing for the money as he has 100 million socked away.
Look at his bank account. That money was stolen.
So what is he playing for then ?
He is playing for nothing. For something to do. Get hurt quickly and watch the games from the bench.
How have the Braves carried this guy so long.
I been watching the Braves since the 70s . Nothing ever changes with them and their player selection. Especially holding on too long to has been players that cant run or jump anymore. Leave him at third. Thats a laugher.
Eddie
February 27th, 2011
9:37 pm
Tampa Gator? Go back to work. The onset of Alzeimer’s has obviously already begun. And don’t brag about Perez and Office. I watched the M-Braves of Aaron, Mathews and Spahn, as well as the ABraves since inception, buying season tickets for 15 years. How many years did you purchase season tix? Chipper is the greatest Atlanta Brave!
You give Tampa and the Gators a bad name.
Oregon Brave
February 27th, 2011
9:44 pm
Chipper will always be the Man on this team as long as he can put on the uni. My wife and I came down to Atlanta to watch the last two games of 2009. Around the 5th inning of the Sunday game the catcher was slow in getting his gear on so Chipper went behind the plate to warm up the pitcher. He sure as heck didn’t have to do that. How many players anywhere with his stature, his credentials volunteers to do labor that might be defined as “beneath” him? I like rooting for Chipper. But then, as often as not, I’ll scream at the TV when he matadors a hot grounder coming at him. I’m just happy he’s a Brave and not a . . . . Go Braves.
dap01
February 27th, 2011
9:49 pm
Chipper is not above critism. I am his biggest fan but he has been very average for a couple of years and not healthy for many years.
Have some class, Chipper, we pay your dumb A_ _ salary!
Scott Anderson
February 27th, 2011
9:54 pm
My wife and I came down to Atlanta to watch the last two games of 2009. Around the 5th inning of the Sunday game the catcher was slow in getting his gear on so Chipper went behind the plate to warm up the pitcher. He sure as heck didn’t have to do that. How many players anywhere with his stature, his credentials volunteers to do labor that might be defined as “beneath” him?
…………………………………………………….
Yeh it was the least he could do to play catch with the pitcher. Thats about the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
I am surprised he didnt pull a groin muscle while warming up the pitcher and go on the disabled list for a month. Well the groin on Larry is feeling better, I think I can play like maybe Sunday.
I love the way he tells everyone when he will play and takes it out of the Managers hands. Double groin pull running to first base is in the cards.
BravesfanCT
February 27th, 2011
10:02 pm
Oh baby, nice to have Chipper back and in a fighting mood. Chipper, if you are still checking out this blog, know that TONS of loyal fans are out there. Ignore the haters and critics, if they don’t understand and appreciate you by now, they never will. Thanks for your loyalty to the team and for pulling it out so that I can watch my favorite player for (at least) one more summer. See ya when you come to NYC vs. Mets.
REALLY???
February 27th, 2011
10:12 pm
REALLY, Chocolate Chipper?? For 14 years I have watched you lope down the first base line on routine grounders. I have watched you do a little “pirouette” on a ground ball down the third base line (I am suprised that the knee has lasted this long) I have watched other third basemen play and even young children in little league are coached to plant his base foot to throw to first or second. I have listen to Bobby Cox call you “sweet pea” from the dugout urging you to “hit one” only because he couldn’t manufacture a run. And all the while running good ballplayers out on a rail because they didn’t hustle. I guess you have to play pool with him to get away with that kind of lackluster performance day in and day out you give your fans.. I remember when you got your 15m a year contract and you compared it to eating chocolate chip cookies. (The guy in the stands who calls you “Chocolate Chipper” is me by the way) One or two million more the cookies loses its tastiness. These true fans you talk about are the ones that get the crap haressed out of them at true baseball parks. I wished you would finish out you career at Philly or New York or Boston to see how easy you have had it here in a city where people don’t know anything about sports except how to jump on a bandwagon. Don’t believe me? Listen any “sports station in Atl and you will see that it is a sad state. Chocolate Chipper, try living on a median income, now that is pressure and gives you the right to tell me to kiss your ass. With that said I hope you have a great season because I am a Braves fan. I buy shirts,hats and tickets. And I come to one of the most crime ridden parts of Atlanta to see My Braves play baseball. Professionals who I hope play good fundimental baseball. You are not one of those guys and you haven’t been your whole career. When I see a number 10 on a Braves shirt in stores I fart in its general direction and I do that because “I can kiss your ass”
Gwinnett Fred
February 27th, 2011
10:29 pm
Pretty easy to say you aren’t playing for the money when you already have the money!
I am a big Braves fan and have always appreciated Chippers huge contributions to all the Championship teams.
But again, it’s SO easy to say you aren’t playing for something you already have.
That said: He’s be lying thru his teeth if he says the HOF isn’t at least in the back of his mind – and notice how many milestones he should get playing this season:
10 hits for 2500
14 homers for 450
9 RBI for 1500
7 doubles for 500
And he could hit .200 this season in 500 at bats and STILL have a caraeer .300 average.
He may not admit playinf for money, but please don’t anoint him as a saint just yet – there are a few reasons he came back besides his teammates!
Bill
February 27th, 2011
10:30 pm
Thats what I like about Hose..He tells it like it is “kiss my A@@.” He is Mr. BRAVE ! A damn good player, A good person (he is human), Loves his job, teammates and his fans. Will make a great Coach are Mgr one day….Long live Chipper Jones. He will always be a Brave.
senorw64
February 27th, 2011
10:33 pm
Brockhouse wrote: Chipper only continues to play because of his ego. How many HOF’ers have amassed multiple seasons with 20+ errors? My guess is not many or none. That being said, he should be disqualified from the HOF for all his errors and sticking around well past his prime.
Michael Jack Schmidt 7 20 error seasons,
Wade Boggs 3 20 error seasons
Chipper 3 20 error seasons
ARod 2 20 error seasons
I didn’t take the time to look more.
JSS
February 27th, 2011
10:33 pm
“Braves vet still loves the game, says “the cynical fan can kiss my” (you know).”
He’d pull his gluteus maximus or his oblique either loosening his belt or bending over! Is there a DL for that too?
“To those who hate on Chipper, what does a player have to do to earn your respect?”
Move to first base, actually work at it instead of courting disaster and trying to pretend he’s 25 and his long forays on the disabled list don’t literally suck the life out of this team…
When he moved to left, I lauded him for finally seeing the light… Then he start his nagging and moaning about moving in the batting order to protect Sheffield… That is when I gave up on him… How many left fielders and first basemen have we run out there since Castilla, Galarraga, and Sheffield left town?
Please build your statue to Chipper. Make sure it has an ice pack and elastic wraps in the appropriate areas!!!
Topdog34
February 27th, 2011
10:40 pm
Chipper has never got his due in Atlanta. He is one of the best hitters in the game and a Future Hall of Famer. He can carry the Braves to another title
Trey
February 27th, 2011
10:55 pm
That’s what I’m talkin’ about Chipper!