Appreciate Chipper Jones while you still can — Aaron does
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Henry Aaron said he knew the Braves had made the right choice with Chipper Jones. (AJC photo)
(Updated: 2 p.m.)
Enjoy this season because it will be your last look.
Enjoy watching Chipper Jones because the chance to watch a first-ballot Hall of Famer – and if he’s not enshrined in his first year of eligibility, I’m surrendering my vote – just doesn’t come around very often.
Jones isn’t the best position player in Braves’ history. That’s only because there’s a guy named Henry Aaron ahead of him. Sometimes, being in second place is an honor — especially when the guy who is in first place is bowing in your direction.
“I remember when we took Chipper in the draft,” Aaron recalled Thursday. “There were a lot of people in the organization who thought we should take that pitcher [Todd Van Poppel]. But I saw star written all over Chipper, and I put my vote in. There were quite a few people involved in that decision. I can tell you this: Some are going to say now that they voted for Chipper, but I know they didn’t.”
These are how the fortunes of franchises can change.
In 1990, the Braves passed on Van Poppel, in part because he told the organization he wouldn’t sign with them. So they drafted Chipper Jones, who would go on to bat third for a World Series team as a rookie, win an MVP award and a batting title and amass seven All-Star selections. And counting. Van Poppel had an unspectacular, injury-plagued career that spanned six organizations (two of them twice) and ended eight years ago with a career ERA of 5.58 and less than four wins per season.
Jones got emotional, particularly when addressing teammates. (AP)
Jones’ career will start and end with the Braves. Enjoy him one final year. The Braves’ third baseman announced Thursday he will retire after this season. The decision was less a surprise than the timing, two weeks before the season opener. But Jones wanted to end speculation that might serve as a distraction for his team this season, particularly after some remarks he made last week to out-of-town reporters regarding his health were misinterpreted.
“There’s no set of circumstances that can persuade me to come back — no hedging,” Jones said, adding that he wanted to spend time with his family.
Believe it. He has been on the relative year-to-year plan for a while. But he was always prompted to come back because he believed he could still perform at a high level, he enjoyed playing with this current group of teammates and his desire to get back to another World Series still burned.
It wasn’t for the money, and here’s where we will address the loud and misguided ones.
Some fans have believed Jones should’ve retired long ago, suggesting his career extension was all about dollar signs. I believe Jones put it best last year when he said, “I still feel like I have something to offer, and the cynical fan can really kiss my ass. 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.”
Jones long has been under-appreciated. He deserves a statue outside of Turner Field — two if you want him batting both left- and right-handed.
Beyond the blur of statistical evidence, what he has brought to the team in leadership and help to young players can’t be measured. He has been an icon for the franchise and the city of Atlanta. We’ve had too few of those.
“I think many great players in Chipper’s era are under-appreciated, and the reason for that is the way the system is,” Aaron said. “Baseball is a lot different than it was 10, 15 years ago. People look at players, I guess, by the money they make. Chipper falls into that category of players who have not only meant a lot to the Braves but to the city. When you see a ballplayer like this come along and you watch him for 19 or 20 years, sometimes you don’t fully appreciate him until after he’s gone.”
Jones choked up at several times during Thursday’s news conference, particularly when he addressed his teammates.
“You kept me young, or at least as young as a 40-year-old man can be,” he said.
Jones knows the body is wearing down. Aaron, when asked to named Jones’ greatest attribute, said, “His determination. He has played through so many injuries.”
This will be your final chance to watch him and appreciate him. One player, one franchise, 23 years, 19 seasons. When it’s over, he deserves a bow.
By Jeff Schultz
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305 comments Add your comment
BOO BOO And TT
March 22nd, 2012
3:23 pm
LOL.. You are right Chop Chop, some of (you) are in your Mothers basement, the rest of us are at work bored…. You are also correct that it is indeed Wren’s fault, I don’t blame Larry for taking all of that money, he needed to pay his debt to all the Hooter girls and strippers that he owed over the years…..
kerryb
March 22nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Great column Jeff. You said it all. Chipper and Derek Jeter are the last of the players you will see play an entire career with one organization. Like Aaron said, we will miss him when he’s gone. I watched the Braves in the 80’s when they were sorry. I watched the incredible ride during the 90’s. I was sitting in the stands the night in April 1991 when Chipper Jones hit an opening night HR at Luther Williams field in Macon in his first A ball game for the Macon Braves. It was sad for me to think today that this is the last player of that great era in Braves baseball and he will now be gone. They are ALL gone, even Skip and Pete.
5150 UOAD
March 22nd, 2012
3:26 pm
JSS you are probably right. I would want her to wear the french maid uniform. LOL
kerryb
March 22nd, 2012
3:27 pm
All of you morons complaining about his contract extension ask yourself this. How many home town discounts did Chipper give the Braves during his prime so they could sign some big name player? Many, so shut your pie holes!!!!
LakeDawg
March 22nd, 2012
3:40 pm
Chipper is a first ballot HOFer. My appreciation for him has increased the past 3-4 years. I used to think that he wasn’t enough of a leader, but he was just a late bloomer as far as maturity is concerned. However, he has the numbers and he truly shined against the best competition. In his prime, it was suicidal to try to blow a fastball by him in the clutch. No matter who was pitching. That is still remembered in MLB and is the reason he receives so many walks, even to this day.
Bama Mike
March 22nd, 2012
3:46 pm
I looked at his top ten highlights. Nice but absent championships which is really what it is all about. He should retire now, enough already with the Chipper farewell tour. It takes away from the overall objective of getting back to the playoffs.
Bama Mike
March 22nd, 2012
3:47 pm
Frank more than reeimbursed him for any hometown discount these past 3 seasons.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
3:50 pm
Just don’t end on a police blotter… Win the lottery and hit the local Hooters, some folks say you can’t go wrong there!
Disclaimer…
That was in no way to opine that Hooters or its employees are for sale
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
3:54 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
You don’t think Suzuki is going to put his next 5 years in Seattle?
David
March 22nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Well said!, Chipper thanks for all the memories, it has been a fantastic ride watching your career from the start. Your have been a great face of the franchise for so many years. 1st Ballot, No Doubt!!
yo yo yo
March 22nd, 2012
4:26 pm
larry wants the whole year to be about him you dumb ass-holes…….
FAN
March 22nd, 2012
4:31 pm
I now know why Jefferson’s Monticello was so hard to build. I am making a Bird House of the octagon dome and damn it is difficult.
"Chef" Tim Dix
March 22nd, 2012
4:31 pm
And finally YUNEL can return to claim his rightful position.
5150 UOAD
March 22nd, 2012
4:36 pm
yo yo yo……………you MORON that is WHY Chipper ended the questions about his future. He will enjoy the Farewell tour but he wants the FUTURE off him and willing to take the heat for THE TEAM. He is NOT looking to be the focus. He is willing to TAKE the FOCUS and let the TEAM play.
Chipper will get most pitcher’s best because they don’t want to be in the record book for giving the last HR, GS, or Walk to a HoFer. It could be GREAT for the #4 hitter. Chipper will get the Fastballs or Walks.
"Chef" Tim Dix
March 22nd, 2012
4:38 pm
Did Noah Coslov refer to Chipper as “borderline great”?
Noah, I think I just heard your mother ask you to bring the laundry with you from the basement.
Dan Mohan
March 22nd, 2012
4:53 pm
He did it the right way, no PEDs, no “cream and the clear”, none of it. He has earned the respect and gratitude of the city. He is the one ballplayer I would not hesitate to tell my son to emulate.
Van Poppel should have fired his agent
March 22nd, 2012
4:56 pm
Best thing that happened to the Braves was Van Poppel and his agent telling everyone they wouldn’t sign with the Braves. Had they done their homework, they would have known the Braves had a lot of talent that was about to explode due to Bobby Cox’s home run as a GM. After he went back to managing the team and Schuerholtz took over the GM spot, it became a grand slam.
Way to go Chipper!
count_schemula
March 22nd, 2012
4:56 pm
Section 115L – I’m there.
Ken Stallings
March 22nd, 2012
5:18 pm
In the history of the Braves franchise (Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta), Chipper Jones is the third best position player in history.
1. Henry Aaron
2. Eddie Matthews
3. Chipper Jones
Immortal company! When the MLB Network’s Prime 9 series focused on the nine best third basemen in MLB history, two Braves were on the list. Chipper was fifth and Eddie Matthews was number two (only behind Mike Schmidt).
A first ballot HOF selection if there’s any justice in the world.
As I posted on the David O’Brien column, I hope his last season is one we can all look back on with fondness and pride. It would be nice to see him leave with everyone concluding there was more left in the tank!
old fart
March 22nd, 2012
5:21 pm
The Braves played their hearts out for Bobby during his last season. I suspect they will do the same for Chipper. What could well be a 81-81 team this year could become a 91-71 post season team with Chipper still around.
chris
March 22nd, 2012
5:21 pm
a class act and nothing but best wishes for his future.I hope the Braves are smart and bring him back as a hitting coach or front office advisor before too long. We need his heart …Jeff you said it best that icons like this are a rarity in Atlanta..we need to all take a moment and salute the best third baseman this franchise has ever had. Its sad to see him leave but it is time and I’m glad he’s doing it on his own terms. It was excruiciating to watch the Braves handle Glavine, Smoltz and even Maddux to a degree by allowing him to leave when he did. But thank goodness with number 10 that wont be the case.
Herschel Talker
March 22nd, 2012
5:25 pm
Schultzie:
Your column should have read as follows:
Jones knows the body is wearing down. Aaron, when asked to named Jones’ greatest attribute, said, “His determination. His ability to show up walking wounded and keep collecting a paycheck even though his salary is hindering Frank Wren’s ability to make moves. That silly old fool really should hang them up immediately and save the Braves $14 million.”
HT
chuck
March 22nd, 2012
5:30 pm
He didn’t play for the money? Did he turn it down? $14million more for the old bank account. That should hold for a few more years.
spoofproof
March 22nd, 2012
5:30 pm
Tony Gwynn is the only present-era player I can think of who started and finshed with the same team. Didn’t Chipper give back part of his salary one year when the Franchise was having money problems? I wonder if ol’ Chipper will be among the last of the great Franchise Players? During his prime I really enjoyed watching Chipper run. Dude could cover some ground…
reality
March 22nd, 2012
5:53 pm
I hope this season plays out the way Chip and the Braves would like – solid 120 games, 280 average, 20 HRs, 70 RBIs… But based on the reports from ST I would not wait for the last home game to pay homage to the man.
Frank Wren snoozed at winter meetings
March 22nd, 2012
5:56 pm
Chipper great work chokin 96 worldseries and 97 and 98 and 99 as he watch Yankees be team of the century.lol..Oh he have great fun with 44,000 fans watchin him retire as we end at 72-90 record..and we show his greatest hits..Of we better then Yankees and have won it after lead 2-0 in win at Yankee stadium in 96 His we better then Phillies and cards and what happen ooo no foot in mouth! First ballot No way like Dale Murphy he not ever be in Hall of fame!
Stinger2
March 22nd, 2012
5:57 pm
Jeff: To answer your question about Clusters: He spent the afternoon on MB`s blog with more of his usual bashing of Chipper. I responded three times appropriately.
Saints supporters, maintain ya’ll hopes up, the time of year is still early!!?
March 22nd, 2012
5:58 pm
[...] Chipper Jones is going out on his terms | Jeff Schultz [...]
dawg4life
March 22nd, 2012
6:00 pm
Zzzzzzzzzzz…..
pb
March 22nd, 2012
6:07 pm
Why do some of you bring up Hooters girls and Chipper? That was a long time ago, and think he has grown up a lot since then. Whether you like him personally or not, he is one of the best Braves ever, no doubt. And a leader on the team. They will miss him.
Disgusted
March 22nd, 2012
6:11 pm
We got lucky that Todd Van Poppell decided he did not want to sign with the Braves in 1990.
The second option in that draft turned out to be the best and we got the best player in ATL Braves history.
Smartest hitter in his generation & he worked his way into becomming a decent third baseman.
Chipper gave us his all, at least we have “One More Year”.
Disgusted
March 22nd, 2012
6:16 pm
“All of you morons complaining about his contract extension ask yourself this. How many home town discounts did Chipper give the Braves during his prime so they could sign some big name player? Many, so shut your pie holes!!!!”
Well said Kerryb.
Imagine if the Braves choose not to give him the extension, they would not have been happy anyway. When healthy these last two yrs he has still been good.
Still has a good OPS and OPB.
The Greatness Of Chipper Jones | Struck Out Swinging
March 22nd, 2012
6:18 pm
[...] Schultz says you should come out and enjoy Chipper’s last season. I know I will. I actually got a chance to speak with Jones briefly before a game late in the [...]
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
6:20 pm
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
11:00 am
Before I tear him down, I want to thank Larry “Chipper” Jones for his service as a Atlanta Braves player. Now, as Gerald Ford put it when Richard Nixon hit the bricks: “Our long national nightmare is (nearly) over!”
************************************************************************
Interesting his comments directed at you:
“I still feel like I have something to offer, and the cynical fan can really kiss my ass. 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.”
Marvin Mangrum
March 22nd, 2012
6:22 pm
You know, its good that being a stupid moron you can still post comments on this site, otherwise some days it would be rather empty. I can not imagine sitting at a bar drinking a cold something with some of you jerks. I do believe the best part of some of you ran down your Mamas leg. Only in America!S
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
6:25 pm
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
3:50 pm
Just don’t end on a police blotter… Win the lottery and hit the local Hooters, some folks say you can’t go wrong there!
*****************************************************************
Now I see the bitterness that devours you.
Disgusted
March 22nd, 2012
6:25 pm
“After reading these comments, I think his biggest mistake was not signing with a team where he’s more appreciated”
@Tecchman–Honestly, most of the real Braves fans appreciate Chipper from the bottom of their hearts.
Blogs like this will always attract trolls & fools who are not real Braves fans.
I don’t get why there is so much hate over the extension because at the time is was signed, it was a good gamble at the time. Had he not tore his ACL in 09, he would have been close to 20 HR and 100 RBI with good OPB, OPS, etc. He was starting to come around after a slow start.
And I still argue that he was good last yr. The numbers speak for themselves.
Even the yr he hit .248, he was still producing at a high rate. That was his last 30 HR yr.
My best post season moment on Chipper was the two HR game vs the Cubs in game 4 of that series. Hey, he tried to will us but it was not to be.
MitchC
March 22nd, 2012
6:39 pm
I will miss Chipper, but its good that, unlike many Braves greats who either are in the Hall, or going to be, that he will be a Brave for his entire career, and retire a Brave. So many.. (Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, even Aaron) cant say that.
Chipper’s number should be retired early next year. Dont wait.
As the old saying goes.. nothing lasts forever, and all good things must come to an end.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
7:05 pm
Sid…
And being a constant dweeb devours you, good luck with that! Harassing (unwanted or someone’s workplace is generally is called sexual harassment, ask Arthur Blank! And his verbal flip of the middle finger is no classier than than doing it literally! Heck of a role model! “Mr. Big Talk sure defied mother nature and father time, NOT!!! Enjoy the farewell tour!
#10 Cooperstown
March 22nd, 2012
7:18 pm
Low class people have to try and tear everyone down to their level.
Disgusted
March 22nd, 2012
7:25 pm
MitchC—You really have to sort of consider Smoltz a lifetime Brave because he was with Boston and STL for a very short cup of coffee at the end. And, it was the last yr of his career.
But Chipper is one hundred percent Braves through the entire minor and major league career.
I think that Eddie Matthews finished up somewhere else his last year too. I think it was Houston.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
7:32 pm
“Low class people have to try and tear everyone down to their level.”
You mean the Deer Hunter? The king of the pinch between cheek and his gums, the Pierson Legend (that is a heck of sign), the The Skool can imprint, the oblique zen master…. Ha ha, YEAH RIGHT!!!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
7:35 pm
FYI: Mathews played two more seasons and was on the World Champion 68 Tigers… P.S. He wasn’t too big to play first base when asked…`
Sonny Clusters
March 22nd, 2012
7:41 pm
We don’t even have to be posting here to merit some attention from little Stinger2. That boy must be lonely. We was wondering about the timing of this latest retirement but we understand they have it on video and it should take. We say retire his jersey and name something for him and wish him well. In all fairness Chipper has been a treat to watch for most of his career. We just got a little too much of him talking one way and acting another. There are countless examples. Now, we look forward to a new player over at third base and we hope he’ll have a career like Chipper. In the meantime, get ready for constant chatter and distraction from the season as he makes his farewell tour. Some fans in Atlanta haven’t seen anybody else over there at 3B but we have and one of them was TP and he was a MVP. Eddie Mathews was there, and Horner and Clete Boyer and Darrell Evans and some more. Not sure he was even the best 3B – but he was a very good one over a longer period of time. We have had some fun with him talking like a deer and using new words and talking about his “hammock” bone but all in all he’s just a ballplayer and a very good one. We marvel at the true fans that won’t allow anyone to criticize the team or its players and would rather be cheerleaders oh, golly, gee whillikers. Is that the right way to spell “whillikers”?
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
7:42 pm
JSS
What about Chipper is so personal for you? You do realize you are getting creepy don’t you?
Another Braves Fan
March 22nd, 2012
7:53 pm
Question to all those who want Chipper to retire today: if he retires, who takes his place?
He has been amazing for the braves, whether at hitting at the plate or making his trademark one-hand plays at third base. He has been a leader in the clubhouse and an absolute monster on the field. He is slowing down, but he’s the best option we have at 3B. Congrats to Chipper on an amazing career, and we will miss you at Turner Field!
TaylorVol
March 22nd, 2012
8:09 pm
Chipper is the best Atlanta Brave period. Hank Aaron is the best Milwaukee Brave ever. Chipper has been a leader on and off the field. I love his candor, and I’ve watched him for all of his 19 years. Believe me when I say this, we have been spoiled by having Chipper at SS and at 3rd base. He is without a doubt a first ballot hall of famer. He has even redone his contract on several occasions in an unselfish manner to help the team. Chipper, thanks for all you have done for this organization and for Braves Country! Frankly, the folks that don’t get this and don’t appreciate Chipper Jones, aren’t true Braves fans.
Chippy
March 22nd, 2012
8:11 pm
Chipper had the best command of the strike zone I have ever seen. He also I think stayed away from steroids during a time when many were taking them. But mainly the guy just almost never swung at a pitch out of the strike zone. he is a hall of famer.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
March 22nd, 2012
8:12 pm
so the $$ we save next year will go towards re-signing mccann for another contract or towards a lf??
phil
March 22nd, 2012
8:18 pm
Chipper will play next year.
Watch.