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
Vinny
March 22nd, 2012
10:51 am
Finally!
ConeDawg
March 22nd, 2012
10:52 am
We will miss you, Chipper. Thanks for the memories!
sadtechy
March 22nd, 2012
10:53 am
First Ballot HOF!!!
Nothing But The Truth
March 22nd, 2012
10:54 am
Especially in this sports town, where we don’t get many athletes who show that they only want to be here and actually reach their potential on the field/court.
I’ve been critical of him over the years, but he always had my respect.
Greene Hornet
March 22nd, 2012
10:58 am
Great player and I have massive respect for players who tough it our for better or worse at one team. You have to admit, you don’t see that anymore, especially if that player was as great as Chipper was. Thanks for the memories Chipper and give us one more good season this year! Go Braves!!!!
PMC
March 22nd, 2012
10:59 am
He could have extended the career for quite a while if he were a DH in the American League.
The great ones are so few. One of the best Switch Hitters ever. One of the best 3rd basemen ever all around and he’s our guy.
The saddest thing may be that he’s one of the last links to the old great Braves teams of the 1990’s.
Amazing career, won’t be the same with him not at 3rd base and 3rd in the lineup or demolishing the Mets.
Thanks Chipper.
meh
March 22nd, 2012
11:00 am
gonna miss ya, Chipper.
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!”
Herschel Talker
March 22nd, 2012
11:03 am
JSS:
Well said. Chipper has been a rock for us, but his time has long since passed. He really needs to retire today.
HT
jvillebil
March 22nd, 2012
11:03 am
Rare that we see a player committed long term to one organization and then retire. He’s brought us many great moments. Thanks Chipper
Hail Munson
March 22nd, 2012
11:04 am
I want to be at his last game in NY against the Mets. I wonder if the Mets fans will applaud while booing him, kind of like what you do for an actor who has played the villain exceptionally well.
SimpleDawg
March 22nd, 2012
11:04 am
Chipper is a Damn Good Brave.
He has played the game the right way and for the right reasons. He is a unique person and player, and we have all been fortunate that he has always been an Atlanta Brave.
Thanks Chipper.
To those who constantly criticize him…… Well I hope you treat those around you better, because most of you seem mighty miserable.
Rothschild
March 22nd, 2012
11:06 am
A friend has bought tix already for the last game. Bet it sells out today.
Rothschild
March 22nd, 2012
11:08 am
JSS and HT, trolls of a feather. Two trolls in a pod.
Nebraska Brave
March 22nd, 2012
11:10 am
It has been a great run for Hoss. Playing for the money, NO. He played the last few years because he loves the game, wanted to see if the Braves could squeak out another World Series. To those who think he played for the money the last few years. Imagine trying to let go of your careers – picking up that last garbage can, greeting that last WalMart Customer, cleaning that last toilet. Oh never mind you’ll never understand as Chipper was lucky (good) enough to play a sport, do what every, or most, kids dream of. My son’s a good ball player and at 17 he wants to make it to the next level (college) and play ball, not for a scholarship, but because he loves playing.
I remember so many times when Chipper would be “struggling” and then he would go on a tear and hit 10 homers in 2 or so weeks. It was a sight to see.
Chipper You will be missed. Thanks for the Memories.
FunkyBobbyJ
March 22nd, 2012
11:12 am
Again – thank you Todd Van Poppel where ever you are!!!
Dr. Phil
March 22nd, 2012
11:14 am
Admittedly, Chipper is a great baseball player and one of the best hitters since Ted Williams. I agree with Jeff’’s assessment of Chipper, but I would add Eddie Matthews to Chipper and Hank. Matthews didn’t hit for great average, but he hit an awful lot of clutch homeruns in Milwaukee, and who could forget the homer off of Sandy Koufax in Atlanta Stadium. Matthews was a great leader and team player. Chipper is making the right decision. I hope that he and the Braves send him out with a good season.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
11:15 am
Rothschild
March 22nd, 2012
11:08 am
“JSS and HT, trolls of a feather. Two trolls in a pod.”
There are people spitting coffee and soda all over keyboards in AJC blogdom at that statement! Where can they send you the bill?
Lou Filerman
March 22nd, 2012
11:16 am
Jeff, what are the odds that Hank Aaron comes to Chipper’s jersey retirement? I mean seriously he hasn’t showed up to any the last few years.
Daily Stinger
March 22nd, 2012
11:16 am
Unbelievable production throughout Chipper’s HOF career. There is no doubt that when he’s healthy he can still contribute and have a big impact on this team. Despite that I still have a hard time justifying Chipper playing about 120 games (if we’re lucky) for ~$14 million. It sure would have been nice to have half that amount to spend on a LF to bolster our line-up.
Todd Van Poppel
March 22nd, 2012
11:17 am
A year late and $14 million short.
It’s sad when an athlete wears out his welcome. Take Schultz with you! Yall two together would rack up at Hooters!!!
Todd Van Poppel
March 22nd, 2012
11:21 am
“He loves the game and has a desire to win. His motives end there.”
Doesn’t matter Schultzie. He has hamstrung this team the past two years with his salary and INJURIES.
Jared
March 22nd, 2012
11:24 am
Great! Now the whole year is gonna be Chipper this, Chipper that-give him a gold third base and kick him to the curb.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
11:26 am
Eddie Matthews was the best 3rd baseman ever to put on the Tomahawk! Clete Boyer was the best 3rd baseman fielding wise to play in this town. He did on that minefield masquerading as a major league baseball field at Fulton Co. Stadium… I’ve said it before, between 1997 to 2002, Chipper was one of the greats, but in the past 9 seasons excluding his .364 season at the plate, it has been just sad to watch for the most part…
WinOne4theChipper!
March 22nd, 2012
11:28 am
Win one of the Chipper!!!!! You will be missed. I hope to see you return next year as our hitting coach, if not as our manager. You may not have any previous head coaching experience but you have on the job training and have coached a number of our players with their hitting. You got me interested again in Braves baseball 19 years ago while I was still in the Marine Corps and I enjoyed bragging about you to my fellow Marines(especially to our New York Mets Marines!)
I hope we can send you out as a 2012 World Series Champion and I hope our front office will make any necessary additions to our roster this year in order to make that happen. You deserve to have only the very best year as you ride off into the sunset, although we will never allow you to leave us completely. You are the “Atlanta Braves” and we need you back to guide the Braves to many more World Series titles!
God bless you! You are a class act and a role model to not only today’s and future MLB players but also to our children who look up to you as a MLB player of integrity.
Thank you for your many years of Braves baseball and for restoring hope among us fans!
Geo. from Augusta(Chipper fan for life!)
dave
March 22nd, 2012
11:29 am
AMEN, JS … AMEN
DePort
March 22nd, 2012
11:33 am
Thank you … finally someone sticking up for Chipper!
SSIgator
March 22nd, 2012
11:34 am
Now that the final act of the Cox era is coming to a close, maybe the Braves can finally dump their motto: “The Atlanta Braves – Do Less With More”
Archie
March 22nd, 2012
11:36 am
He has kind of a Ted Williams thing going on with the local fans. He always has this way of rubbing fans the wrong way. Whether it’s his brutal honesty, cockiness or selfishness, fans can call it whatever they want. You can like or dislike the guy all you want, but the bottom line is he’s the best “Atlanta” Brave of all time. Aaron and Matthews had their best years in Milwaukee. Dale Murphey will always be a fan favorite, but his career doesn’t add up to Chipper’s. The Hawks and Falcons don’t have anybody who matches up to him either, so he’s the best pro athlete this town has ever seen!
Sneakers O'Toole
March 22nd, 2012
11:36 am
Greatest ATLANTA Brave and my favorite all-time athlete. Gonna miss you Hoss.
Lets go out with a bang. How about 25/90/295 and a WS title.
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
11:37 am
It’s been all about him for the last couple of years. He’s an old prima donna, reminds me of Madonna fighting for relativity as her arse continues to sag.
Jeff
March 22nd, 2012
11:38 am
I can’t wait to see how the NY Mets fan react to him this season. I have a sneaking suspicion he might get some cheers of respect from them this year.
Ryan
March 22nd, 2012
11:38 am
As much as I liked Glavine, Smoltz, Maddux and multiple other Braves – Chipper is my favorite ball player of all time. Played 19 great seasons for the Braves and played honestly through one of the most turbulent times in baseball history.
Good Grief
March 22nd, 2012
11:41 am
Hitting Coach Chipper Jones… that has a nice ring to it. It’s always sad when a good player announces their intention to retire. And just think. We’ll have a few years where Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz, and Chipper all go into Cooperstown back-to-back-to-back. As a lifelong Braves fan, that makes you happy.
Not Soon Enough!!!!!!
March 22nd, 2012
11:41 am
Gimper Jones – the Disabled Veteran – will retire!!!!! Oh boo-hoo!!!! Not soon enough to suit me. Him being a 1st ballot Hall of Fame’er means nothing to me and nothing to the current team…..Honest????? If he was honest he wouldn’t be around to take the money – from a team that could well spend it in other areas!!!!! He is no Saint Bobby……go ahead and leave now!!! This team is going no where anyway and certainly not with you hobbling/limping around at 3rd Base – Good Bye and Good Riddance!!!!!!
Trojan
March 22nd, 2012
11:42 am
Jeff: You are right. Chipper under appreciated.
Billy
March 22nd, 2012
11:42 am
JSS what a idiot, your nightmare has just started are did 3 years ago.
Chipper is all Class..I have enjoyed all 19 years. Has he ever made mistakes yes but who hadn’t..God Bless Chipper Jones and thanks..Mr Brave!
Ted M
March 22nd, 2012
11:43 am
It was a good idea to announce it early on.
He is a first ballot Hall of Famer.
I wish I could say he has a good shot at going out like Tony La Russa.
hooter honey
March 22nd, 2012
11:46 am
I’ll miss you, Larry!
BFanAlways
March 22nd, 2012
11:47 am
He is 1st Class! Perfect example of a player playing for love of the game!
Bill
March 22nd, 2012
11:47 am
Hate to see Chipper go but maybe he will be our next manager..Happy trails.
garcia
March 22nd, 2012
11:47 am
What a special career. He is a first vote HOF’er…no doubt. I can hear the chants: Laahhrry, Laahhrry during his speech in Cooperstown.
No steroids, no excuses. That is the definition of a real man. Thank you Larry. I still recall the disappointment I felt when Van Poppel advised the Braves not to draft him. At the time, I felt rejected and dejected. I thought the Braves had hit a new low. Little did I know that it was the turning point of the franchise that would begin an unprecedented winning tradition in Atlanta.
You don’t always get what you want; you get what you need.
emmysmom
March 22nd, 2012
11:48 am
Chipper, you will be missed by so very many. But welcome to the HOF!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
11:50 am
“Mr. Brave?” As long as Dale Murphy and Henry Aaron are alive, Jones will never be “Mr. Brave!” “All class?” And do you think Pabst Blue Ribbon is fine Milwaukee brewing at its best too? Billy, were you hitting the PBR when you put that sentence together?
DePlane
March 22nd, 2012
11:51 am
Why announce this now? If you’re not done yet….and presumably you have a year to play…then play and stow it until after the season. This smacks of attention seeking. Last I looked you’re getting paid big bucks this year…so go out and win.
To me, overpaid self-agrandizing atheletes are a dime a dozen…and I really don’t want to hear about how great you were before you even retire. Now go play ball and prove you’re not here just to collect a check.
Bill
March 22nd, 2012
11:52 am
~~~~~Win for 10~~~~~
1eyedJack
March 22nd, 2012
11:55 am
Should make Sonny Clusters happy.
BJ
March 22nd, 2012
11:59 am
DEPLANE……..well said…..ditto………….
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
11:59 am
Herschel Talker
March 22nd, 2012
11:03 am
JSS:
Well said. Chipper has been a rock for us, but his time has long since passed. He really needs to retire today.
******************************************************************
He’s doing it right but doing it right now is the 16th most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
“The first time Braves manager Bobby Cox saw Chipper Jones, he knew he was going to be a star. ‘That face,’ Cox said. ‘He has that face.’ It is the face of a baseball lifer, a guy who was born to play the game. A baseball lifer doesn’t necessarily mean playing until you’re 45, then managing or coaching the rest of your life. It also means playing the game properly, doing what you’re told, doing what’s best for the team, adjusting constantly and, of course, winning.” – ESPN Columnist Tim Kurkjian in ESPN The Magazine (August 3, 2005)
Lastly, think about what he is worth in the dugout and the locker room to the younger players. He’s a Brittanica of baseball knowledge. It’s in his heart, he knows it’s time. He has played his butt off in a Braves uniform, Don’t know what bug is up JSS’s butt for Chipper but unless he can hit for a higher %, or field better I suggest he take a back seat on his Chipper attack.
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:03 pm
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
11:15 am
Rothschild
March 22nd, 2012
11:08 am
“JSS and HT, trolls of a feather. Two trolls in a pod.”
There are people spitting coffee and soda all over keyboards in AJC blogdom at that statement! Where can they send you the bill?
*****************************************************
You never fail to remind that you are a legend in your own mind.
Bravesincebirth
March 22nd, 2012
12:03 pm
JSS and HT you are 2 of the biggest douche bags I have ever seen and not very well informed either you said it has been sad to watch Chipper over the last 9 years, in which his stats are .331 batting avg, 23 hr avg, and 81 rbi avg. Use those computers in your parents basements to do some research jerkoffs.
Braves Fan
March 22nd, 2012
12:04 pm
One thing that will never be associated with Chipper is steroids. All those other guys like Arod etc are tainted.
Thanks for all the great memories, Chipper. My favorite is 99 when he was the great MET killer.
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:04 pm
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
11:37 am
It’s been all about him for the last couple of years. He’s an old prima donna, reminds me of Madonna fighting for relativity as her arse continues to sag.
************************************************
This wan’t me.
Braves Fan
March 22nd, 2012
12:05 pm
Greatest Braves hitters of all time.
1: Hank Aaron
2: Chipper Jones
3: Dale Murphy
4: Eddie Matthews
5: Fred McGriff
Billy
March 22nd, 2012
12:12 pm
JSS, it obvious you have never been are worked around Chipper, Dale are Hank. I have and all three are 1st class–” Mr. Braves”.
Keep your PBR, I don’t drink.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
12:13 pm
@ Sid…
And you never fail to remind us why “Fearless Leader” could tell everyone to kiss his behind while failing to back his big talk! Reggie Jackson might have been “Mr. October” but Chipper never failed to show us after his MVP season that he was a hell of “Mr. August (because in September and October, he’d be watching the celebration)!” What was that little call out he made to Phillies down the stretch last year? Come on, remind us what all of the great leadership of Mr. Jones?
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:14 pm
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
11:26 am
Eddie Matthews was the best 3rd baseman ever to put on the Tomahawk!
*************************************************************
The stats don’t agree with you.
Bravesincebirth
March 22nd, 2012
12:16 pm
That should say 301 batting avg.
Techman
March 22nd, 2012
12:19 pm
The negativity towards Chipper kills me. He is still arguably the most productive offensive player on the team. Yes, he is getting old and the body is breaking down. Having said that, he still plays in roughly the same # of games McCann does, our best player and puts up very similar #’s. He has changed positions for this team and taken less $$ to play here. What else do you want from the guy?
I’ll definitely miss seeing him after this year.
mike
March 22nd, 2012
12:21 pm
Schultz, do you consider cheating on your wife honest? Just askin’
ajc sports fan
March 22nd, 2012
12:21 pm
Fix the wheeling on your network. My computer is going crazy wheeling only on ajc.com.
Say What Again
March 22nd, 2012
12:25 pm
Will miss #10. Just an incredible eye at the plate. Glad he was able to finish with the Braves. Just hope his help holds up so he can go out like (I’m sure) he wants too.
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:26 pm
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
12:13 pm
@ Sid…
And you never fail to remind us why “Fearless Leader” could tell everyone to kiss his behind while failing to back his big talk! Reggie Jackson might have been “Mr. October” but Chipper never failed to show us after his MVP season that he was a hell of “Mr. August (because in September and October, he’d be watching the celebration)!” What was that little call out he made to Phillies down the stretch last year? Come on, remind us what all of the great leadership of Mr. Jones?
**************************************************
I’m not your puppet nor do you have an audience.
Larvell Blanks
March 22nd, 2012
12:27 pm
I suspect that the desire to keep his career average respectably over .300 played some role in his decision. A full season of .220 or so would drop it right to .300. Mantle’s last couple of seasons dropped his average down to .298.
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:29 pm
“But he has played for the right reasons and the Braves owe much of their success to him.”
**********************************************
Couldn’t agree more Jeff.
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:30 pm
“The first time Braves manager Bobby Cox saw (Chipper) Jones, he knew he was going to be a star. ‘That face,’ Cox said. ‘He has that face.’ It is the face of a baseball lifer, a guy who was born to play the game. A baseball lifer doesn’t necessarily mean playing until you’re 45, then managing or coaching the rest of your life. It also means playing the game properly, doing what you’re told, doing what’s best for the team, adjusting constantly and, of course, winning.” – ESPN Columnist Tim Kurkjian in ESPN The Magazine (August 3, 2005)
mike
March 22nd, 2012
12:30 pm
He made this announcement now because he wants a big deal made about him every time he steps onto the field. He wants to wallow in all the celebratory screams and you folks will afford him just that. What an ego. How come giant egos are acceptable when you’re an athlete, music star, actor, etc.? Like John Kruk would say, “He’s just a ballplayer”. He is not a hero just because he can hit a baseball. Celebrity worship at its finest.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
12:30 pm
Sorry Billy, been around all of them (not brag, just fact) and Chipper has never been in their league in the community or in the field (but he one hell of a five year run)… Chipper was a hell of a Mall troll when he was in Macon trying to get some tail! It would be different if I said the man “never had any talent.” He did, but he is (and has been) done! He has no one to blame for the wreck that his body became but Chipper Jones… He never took conditioning seriously (and it did not require performance enhancers), he thought he could just call Daddy and roll into the cage and hit his way out of anything… I got to see Carl Yastzemski and play they last two season, those men were way older than Chipper but they gave more and tried more than Mr. Jones has in the last nine… Like I said, that is the sad part… He never took a step towards playing first base when it could have helped the team. People keep bringing up when he gave up money (just deferred) when Castilla and Sheffield came to town, well he sure made up for it when he was MIA during those lost years between 2004-2007! He cleaned the house out!
Belcher
March 22nd, 2012
12:33 pm
Get out NOW Chipper. Don’t be a Mickey Mantle!!!!
Fred
March 22nd, 2012
12:34 pm
After reading some of these comments it is clear that those that can – play, and those that can’t – criticize!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
12:37 pm
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:26 pm
JSS
“I’m not your puppet nor do you have an audience.”
_________________________________________________________________________________
Then stop running your chops like Chipper did through his proxies in the media! He (and you) are big *** talkers when he was telling his detractors how was going to prove father time wrong! Guess what? He sure showed the universe his big stones. Well, when he wasn’t on the shelf putting a dip in his mouth!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
12:41 pm
Carl Yastzemski and “Al Kaline”
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:42 pm
mike
March 22nd, 2012
12:30 pm
He made this announcement now because he wants a big deal made about him every time he steps onto the field. He wants to wallow in all the celebratory screams and you folks will afford him just that. What an ego. How come giant egos are acceptable when you’re an athlete, music star, actor, etc.? Like John Kruk would say, “He’s just a ballplayer”. He is not a hero just because he can hit a baseball. Celebrity worship at its finest.
*********************************************
Wow, Mike…………….you think all that up by yourself? Oh yeah, John Kruk helped you.
Three Jack
March 22nd, 2012
12:46 pm
Thank you Todd Van Poppel! If not for your puerile, misguided arrogance, Chipper would never have played for the Braves.
Three Jack
March 22nd, 2012
12:46 pm
Thank you Todd Van Poppel! If not for your puerile, misguided arrogance, Chipper would never have played for the Braves.
Techman
March 22nd, 2012
12:50 pm
It’s unfortunate that I have to go to the ESPN comments to read positive comments regarding one of the greatest braves of all time. Fans like most of you on here are the reason this city doesn’t deserve a successful team.
rugburn
March 22nd, 2012
12:50 pm
chipper hasn’t hustled on a regular basis since his rookie year. he drops his head and trots to first on his many rollers to 2nd base. many times he has been thrown out even when the play was botched.worse thing is that he taught many others to be lollygaggers. andruw, javy, marcus, etc. why hustle when your leader doesn’t? i’m not saying he hasn’t been a good player, he’s just not the role model that he’s portrayed to be.
bob bobble ball
March 22nd, 2012
12:50 pm
No one can argue with his stats or his abilities, but I find fault with his commitment, specifically his failure to adopt the regimen required to stay in playing shape as he aged. Sports, despite the obsession over career stats, will always be about “what have you done for me lately?” and lately Chipper hasn’t done much, and this relates to his failure to train in the off season and refrain from the second helping of steak and potatoes. In the past I have cheered for him as loudly as anyone here, but over the last few years I have lost a little respect for him as I watch his waist line increase in inverse proportion to his performance, which makes me question, is his dedication to the game/team or to a fat payday?
Bill Arnold
March 22nd, 2012
12:50 pm
I tell you what told me a lot about Chipper Jones. He lost a wife because of a terrible mistake but he was man enough to make a proper home for that illegible child.
Techman
March 22nd, 2012
12:56 pm
:Sigh:
As I said before, his stats are on par with the best hitters on the team, and that includes McCann & Uggla. He plays in as many games as McCann but no one seems to notice that.
The guy is 40 years old!! How many people in baseball are playing at age 40??? Also, for you mentioning his body breaking down, I can only assume you’re still in your twenties because that’s what your body does when you hit your mid-30’s. I’m impressed that he has maintained the level of success he has had for this long.
Good Grief
March 22nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Not Soon Enough!!!! @ 11:41 -
If you have such a low opinion of the team and the player then why are you even bothering to comment? Maybe Chipper stayed around too long…but it was his decision to make, not yours. It’s sad (to me, at least) to see so many people willing to just toss others aside when they outlive their perceived usefulness to that person’s desires.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
1:02 pm
Chipper broke down at 32! He’s played more than 128 games twice since he hit that age… it just doesn’t hold water (the he’s mid 30s-forty)! Bob BB hit the ball on the trademark…
Tomahawkin
March 22nd, 2012
1:03 pm
They Should Just Go Ahead and retire his number 10 this year…during the Last home series, And have a Huge Pre-Game Party Celebrating the career of the legendary #10
Son of the South
March 22nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Thank You Todd Van Poppel! Without you, we wouldn’t have had Chipper for all of these years.
EDIMGIAFAD
March 22nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Yes Chipper is all class and he better be a 1st ballot shoo-in or else something is terribly wrong. I just hope he has a solid season and prevents the “$14 million/ego/can’t let go” talk from surfacing. Say what you will, he could have easily moved on to other teams for more money but Chipper is loyal and that’s something you cannot say about many pro athletes today
Mark's for the Braves
March 22nd, 2012
1:08 pm
It is so sad to hear this. I knew it was coming. Make Chipper a coach in 2013 and sign David Wright to a long term deal at 3B!
Shaun
March 22nd, 2012
1:13 pm
Chipper had the 14th most Wins Above Replacement (according to FanGraphs) from 2008-2011. Sure he wasn’t a star any longer but he still provided plenty of value in recent years.
I’m glad those who think he’s basically been worthless in recent years are not in the Braves’ front office, not that people like that would ever have a shot of making it there.
Techman
March 22nd, 2012
1:13 pm
He’s basically played the equivalent of a catcher over the last few years, save his season ending injuries. The more I dig into his career stats, the dumber you naysayers look. He had an OPS over 1.000 from 2006-2008, averaging 124 games/year. He’s been on par with the best hitters on the team the last few years.
After reading these comments, I think his biggest mistake was not signing with a team where he’s more appreciated.
Tami
March 22nd, 2012
1:24 pm
It’ll be tough on Opening Day 2012 when the starting lineup for the Braves is announced, and “playing 3rd Base, #10 Chipper Jones!” is NOT said. The Game, not just Braves’ fans, will truly miss Chipper. Thanks for your dedication and selflessness, Chipper. Enjoy your final season, and may it truly be a happy and memorable one for you as it will be for me.
Tami
March 22nd, 2012
1:24 pm
It’ll be tough on Opening Day 2013 when the starting lineup for the Braves is announced, and “playing 3rd Base, #10 Chipper Jones!” is NOT said. The Game, not just Braves’ fans, will truly miss Chipper. Thanks for your dedication and selflessness, Chipper. Enjoy your final season, and may it truly be a happy and memorable one for you as it will be for me.
Tami
March 22nd, 2012
1:26 pm
Sorry, folks. I edited my comment, but my original AND my edited comment somehow showed up. The 1:24 P.M. comment is the one intended for display.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
1:26 pm
His biggest mistake was not signing with an AL team and becoming a switch hitting Edgar Martinez… Ro-oh, the Sabermetrics are here! Still trying figure out Wade Boggs got to 3,000 hits and Chipper Jones didn’t? It ain’t that hard and Boggs got a later start!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
1:29 pm
It ain’t that hard, he’s been out of the line-up enough for most of us to be too use to him not being around!
steve whitmire
March 22nd, 2012
1:32 pm
HE’LL BE MISSED, by this lifelong Braves fan at least, I’m looking forward to watching him play this last season
Mike
March 22nd, 2012
1:34 pm
Will seeing him play, for sure! I still have Chipper’s and Ryan Klesko’s rookie baseball cards. Can we, at minimum, pencil him in only when we play the Mets?
STRETCH
March 22nd, 2012
1:38 pm
Angels Looking For Starting Pitching Depth
By Mike Axisa [March 22 at 11:46am CST]
Despite having a strong front four of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, C.J. Wilson, and Ervin Santana, the Angels are looking for starting pitching depth according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. They are focusing on out of options or non-roster players in camp with other clubs, not bigger names like John Lannan.
Garrett Richards, Brad Mills, and Jerome Williams are currently competing for the fifth starter’s job, though Williams is battling a hamstring problem. As our out of options list shows, there aren’t many teams out there with extra starters who could match up for a trade.
NEWSFLASH: Ok Wren, go ahead and dabble and see what you can get. Theyve got Izturis, Trumbo at 3rd now and some depth in the OF.
This would be the best time to get a look at LF if Prado is going to slide into 3rd next season.
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2012
1:38 pm
FOLKS — Just completely rewrote column with comments from Henry Aaron. So hook back to the top and tell me what you think.
Will get to any questions, shortly.
Thanks
J
Dale Murphy
March 22nd, 2012
1:40 pm
When Chip had the kid a few years back, did he use protection and then it just broke? Or did he just have a fun roll-in-the-hay without ye ole’ raincoat?
JB
March 22nd, 2012
1:42 pm
The people bashing Chipper on here today I assume have never accomplished anything. Just blowhards saying look at me. Just his mere talent to earn say 120 million dollars is enough for those losers on here to sit on the back of the bus. How much have they made by 40?…. Thought so…..Good job Chipper.
5150 UOAD
March 22nd, 2012
1:42 pm
The Hooters closest to his HOMES are hiring for the day Chipper plays his last game. With ALL the Free Time what hill Chipper HUNT when Deer Season is over? LOL
He was a Fun Player to watch. He will be missed in the ATL. I am sure the Farewell tour Will be Nice, but the Other teams Pitchers will go after him hoping not to be a Record in the Books against CHIPPER.
cursive
March 22nd, 2012
1:43 pm
I will be @ Turner Field hopefully a fair amount this season and will stand and cheer every time Chipper comes to bat. One of the all time greats. Thanks for everything Chipper!
kbb
March 22nd, 2012
1:45 pm
Thank God! Shame on the mediocre ATL press for allowing this guy to hang on for years and go out on “his terms”. In sports nobody goes out on their terms. Do you think Emmitt Smith wanted to play for the lowly Cardinals, do you think that Willie Mays wanted to stumble around for the Mets? Michael Jordan in a Wizards uniform? The media and the easily satisfied fanbase allowed Chipper to decay at 3rd as if we couldn’t get his .270 and 17 HRs from some Cuban defector.
5150 UOAD
March 22nd, 2012
1:45 pm
JB….I just had to poke a LIL fun but he was a GREAT player to watch on the field. the Times have changed and Player Personal lives are open to the public unlike in the past.
DePort
March 22nd, 2012
1:47 pm
Did you really say it aint that hard to get 3000 hits? Really? … Did you ever do it? … That wins the DUMBEST comment in the history of the WORLD!!!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
1:49 pm
JB
March 22nd, 2012
1:42 pm
“How much have they made by 40?”
Enough to laugh at your Mitt Thought-bot comment! They sent Michael Milken to jail for about the same amount of money as Chipper stole between 04 and today! Thanks again Chipper
dean
March 22nd, 2012
1:49 pm
Thanks Jeff.
I’m bummed out at the news but appreciate Chipper going ahead and ending speculation. Those who say he announced now for selfish reasons must live miserable lives.
(No offense whatsoever, but I sure would have like to have read Mr. Bisher’s take on Chipper hanging up his spurs.)
Gary
March 22nd, 2012
1:50 pm
I cant imagine a more knowledgeable or effective hitting coach than Chipper and would love to see him in that role. Perhaps this announcement will give the Chipper haters less ammo to crack on him all season, despite the fact he has been one of the most consistent and effective hitters in baseball and not a bad defensive 3rd baseman. Most of the injuries he has sustained is by busting his arse every day for the Braves and playing 110%. So what he needs to rest more, we should be darn glad he still plays. We have plenty of young, great infield prospects that can get some extra playing time by giving Chip a day off every now and then. Thanks for the memories Larry Wayne Jones, Jr!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
1:52 pm
No genius, it is “not hard” to figure out how “Wade Boggs” got to “3000 hits” and “Chipper Jones” didn’t! Ha ha, wow AJC Blogger prime time players are out today!!! Well, they are trying to Sabermetric Jones into the greatest hitter of the last half century of MLB!
Kevin
March 22nd, 2012
1:59 pm
I never seen so many classless posts about Chipper “needing to retire sooner” or “it took him long enough”.
Chipper has done so much for the city of Atlanta on and off the field. He could’ve left in the early 2000’s for a ton of money in New York. He moved from 3B to LF in 2002 to make the team better. He took numerous pay cuts during his tenure so the team could afford to bring in more talent or retain the players we already had.
Chipper is still one of the best 3B in the NL today and will go down as one of the best switch hitters to ever play the game. Chipper gave us fans 19 years of greatness to watch from the beginning of his career until today. Now let’s support him and the rest of the Braves this year and hope that Chipper goes into retirement with one more ring on his finger.
Go Braves and thank you Chipper for being a role model for generations!
Paul From Milton
March 22nd, 2012
2:02 pm
I can’t understand why people have to go negative on this. I guess it makes a small person feel bigger. Can’t we just appreciate one of the greatest baseball players ever? Can’t we just appreciate a player whose poster was in more kids bedrooms around the Southeast than any other? Can’t we just appreciate the fact that after 19 years more #10 jerseys are seen at Turner Field than any other? We’ll probably never see another Brave like this in our lifetime. You have one more season to watch Hall of Fame greatness. And then you small people won’t have Chipper to misguidedly and ignorantly kick around any longer.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:13 pm
Hey Paul, that’ll look great on the Bulova (the official timepiece of the Atlanta Braves) as they give it to him on his appreciation day…
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:17 pm
When will they broadcast the last “Chipper’s Notebook?” I need to make sure Gwinnett and Hall counties are well stocked vicodin, oxycotin, and kleenex that day! You know, since it will be the End of the World!
Big Lou
March 22nd, 2012
2:17 pm
Great column, Jeff. You have done a great service today for us fans. I especially loved the Hank Aaron pieces.
Chipper, you will be truly missed. I hope to see you coaching with the Braves someday. You were truly something special.
__
JSS
You are a worthless, typing jockey, trolling, POS. While you hit away at your stained-filled keyboard, disrespecting somebody who has done more in a year of his life than your whole existence; you are just wasting oxygen while you inhale, which could be utilized a more productive member of society. You are nothing but the manure left from a dog’s backside that dries out in the summer sun, cracking and withering away into nothingness–grass feed. All you do is post on these boards to get attention, trying to make sense of you useless life, but at the end of the day, you’re just a nobody. You will not be missed. You will not be remembered.
Heck, I’m about to forget about you right now.
GO BRAVES!
mike
March 22nd, 2012
2:22 pm
Don’t know why you folks think that just because somebody doesn’t go all gaga and drool on themselves over Chipper Jones that they haven’t accomplished anything in their own right. Some people just don’t idolize celebs. To each his own.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:24 pm
“We’ll probably never see another Brave like this in our lifetime.”
What? This is baseball! In my lifetime Aaron, Mathews, Niekro, Murphy, Maddox, Glavine, Smoltz, and yes the Jones (Chipper and the enigma Andruw) have graced ballparks wearing the Braves many ugly uniforms in that time… Don’t worry, that is the beauty of baseball, somebody is out there to make say “great ball player!”
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:27 pm
@ Big Lou…
Was that cathartic? Breathe out now… Ha ha, he’s still leaving!!!
@JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:27 pm
” I’ve said it before, between 1997 to 2002, Chipper was one of the greats, but in the past 9 seasons excluding his .364 season at the plate, it has been just sad to watch for the most part…”
If you have to qualify statements like the one above, “Excluding his .364 season”, you are clearly the idiot in your mom’s basement Chipper was referring to.
yawn
March 22nd, 2012
2:28 pm
Sorry Schultz. I don’t share your opinion that I should “bow” to Jones. He is not my superior except on the baseball field and that does not require a “bow”. I won’t be at any games this year unless I am given a ticket from someone. And I also won’t consider it a loss if I don’t see him this year.
@JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:29 pm
Oh, BTW, JSS, maybe it’s time for you to retire too. Like from this blog.
An inmate at a correctional facility
March 22nd, 2012
2:31 pm
Bye. Should have retired 3 years ago. Unless he changes his mind (like he did in 2010)…we wont have to worry about paying $14 mil (if he were to reach his max game incentives this year, guaranteeing another year of Chipper stealing money) for an over the hill, broken down, cant stay healthy, the range of a snail playing third base in 2013.
With Lowe’s $10 mil (the Indians are paying $5 mil of Lowe’s $15 mil salary) and Chipper’s $14 mil coming off the books at the end of this season….that will give the Braves at least $24 mil to improve our offense during the off season.
‘
We are going to have a long 2012 season. Jurrjens, Hanson and Hudson have injury issues. Teheran and Delgado are Triple A pitchers who are very hittable at the Major League level. Our middle relief is going to get taxed….because they will be eating up a lot of innings in the middle of the game.
A “bright” spot is that it looks like Kimbrel, Venters and O’Flaherty wont have to worry about being overworked in 2012. There wont be a lot of leads to protect.
Other than Bourn, Uggla and McCann (if he can stay healthy)….our offense is going to SUCK!!!!!!!!!
We’re going to lose Bourn after this season to free agency…so that will mean we’ll have another $7 mil to add to the $24 mil that will be freed up at the end of 2012.
JoshTown
March 22nd, 2012
2:31 pm
Wonderfully written, Jeff! Give em’ hell Chipper!
MetsH8r
March 22nd, 2012
2:31 pm
Thanks for an awesome career Chipper! You have definitely earned the right and honor to be mentioned alongside Aaron and Matthews.
While we’re talking about retirement…with Chipper being the last holdover from the 90s Braves, can we FINALLY retire the Tomahawk Chop as well. It had a great role for those 90s teams and the fans. It had its day. Now it’s annoying and irrelevant, and has been so for years.
Seriously, look at the new throwback jerseys this year – no tomahawk. I think we’re on to something there. Let’s close the book on that generation of Braves and look ahead to the great things to come.
hooter honey
March 22nd, 2012
2:34 pm
Bob Horner is a better tipper!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:38 pm
at ain’t blogger enough to use a user name…
“you are clearly the idiot in your mom’s basement Chipper was referring to.”
Was that before or after he made his annual disabled list visit or made his “post-season guarantee” to the Phillies?
Patrick
March 22nd, 2012
2:39 pm
Chipper you will be missed
I knew this annoucement would come and sooner rather than later. But I’m sad to know that this year will be the final season where I’ll be able to watch one of the best players every to play the game. I really love the pride Chipper has for being an Atlanta Brave. I think that is my most favorite thing about him.
Chipper you are one of my favorite Atlanta Braves. I will miss you.
I’ve always been that if you’re a baseball fan, that you must go to Cooperstown at least once in your life. I think when he goes in would be a great time to go!
Thank you Chipper!
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:41 pm
“Oh, BTW, JSS, maybe it’s time for you to retire too. Like from this blog.”
I’ll retire when Chipper gets to 500 homeruns and 3,000 hits promise! Ha ha, the greatest hitter of the last 50 years!!!
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Oh, JSS … You haven fallen into the abyss.
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2012
2:45 pm
Lou: “‘Jeff, what are the odds that Hank Aaron comes to Chipper’s jersey retirement? I mean seriously he hasn’t showed up to any the last few years.”
< < He was at Cox tribute. Visual evidence: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/images/2010/10/02/QVJskWvB.jpg
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:48 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
The day he walks out of the locker room for the last time will be bittersweet.. Bitter because he was the gift that kept on giving in terms of Clusters material… Sweet because this team can make the choices and the moves to finally get itself righted. If not, heads will (and should) roll! They’ve been hamstrung by him (Lowe, KK, and other poor choices)…
Larvell Blanks
March 22nd, 2012
2:48 pm
I’ve said it before, between 1997 to 2002, Chipper was one of the greats, but in the past 9 seasons excluding his .364 season at the plate, it has been just sad to watch for the most part…
Yeah, the “past 9 seasons” have been pretty sad, if you exclude 2006, 2007, and 2008, in each of which his OPS was over 1.000, which is almost Pujols territory. And 2005, when it was .968. And 2003, when it was .920. Although, to be fair, maybe you were talking in dog years.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:52 pm
@ jeff Schultz…
I’ve been pretty tame, you know I could have linked up that Mexican Day of the Dead picture of Mr. Jones that I found in Guadlajara! Now that’s pretty much sums it up!
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2012
2:54 pm
Big Lou — Thanks.
yeahsure
March 22nd, 2012
2:55 pm
Chipper a Primadonna? LOL. I hope that was a joke. He has never demanded the spotlight. Went about this business as a professional and has mentored young hitters for a decade.
Let him take a year off, then bring him back as hitting coach!!!
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2012
2:55 pm
Joshtown — Thank you, sir.
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2012
2:58 pm
JSS — “The day he walks out of the locker room for the last time will be bittersweet.. Bitter because he was the gift that kept on giving in terms of Clusters material… Sweet because this team can make the choices and the moves to finally get itself righted. If not, heads will (and should) roll! They’ve been hamstrung by him (Lowe, KK, and other poor choices)…”
<< 1) Totally with you on the Clusters’ part of your comment. This will be like talkshow hosts losing Nixon (not that Chipper is Nixon, but you get my drift). … 2) Yes, one “benefit” of this is getting Jones’ salary space. But as you noted, that only means something if you can sign player(s) who give you what Chipper gave you both on and off the field. Salary space just gives a team options, doesn’t guarantee success.
FAN
March 22nd, 2012
2:59 pm
http://atlantahaulitallinc.com/Bird_Houses.php
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
2:59 pm
Larvell, how many at bats did have in 04, 05, 06? You guys always run that one out there… Pujois had nearly 120-175 more at bats during that appearances! I won’t even get into plate appearances! Chipper just was MIA!
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2012
2:59 pm
JSS — Oh, and yes — you’ve been relatively tame (but always entertaining).
JAFO
March 22nd, 2012
3:00 pm
And so has our offense…the abyss. Unwatchable. Completely inept. Zeroes after zeroes sprinkle in a run here and there to check the bulbs in the scoreboard.
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2012
3:00 pm
Speaking of which, where is Mr. Sonny Clusters? Buying drinks, perhaps?
JAFO
March 22nd, 2012
3:02 pm
That must have helped. 4-4.
5150 UOAD
March 22nd, 2012
3:04 pm
I am going to go knock boots with a Hooters Girl to cure my depression of this announcement.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
3:04 pm
Like I said, if they fail after salary relief, that is on them! But sorry for all of his lovers, but he is not a bottle of 1900 Bordeaux that is now ready to be consumed because it has reached its prime! He’s cooking sherry!
Carole
March 22nd, 2012
3:08 pm
Thank you Chipper. We will all miss you. Enjoy your new life.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
3:08 pm
We really may need to check at the local DQs and make sure Clusters has taken to the Ice Cream machine again! It might get ugly!
5150 UOAD
March 22nd, 2012
3:09 pm
JSS I can cook but do you know a Cleaning Sherry?
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
3:17 pm
@ POAD…
That sounds like a GBI sting on Craigs List!
gdawginkalamazoo
March 22nd, 2012
3:17 pm
Thank God he didn’t “Favre” it up! At least I don’t think he will. He sounded sincere.
BOO BOO And TT
March 22nd, 2012
3:19 pm
You people (rednecks) are out of your mind, Larry did accomplish a lot and I’m pleased that he at least had enough respect for my city to play his entire career here, but seriously, people like JSS and HT are CORRECT… Chipper hasn’t done ANYTHING since winning the batting title a few years ago… John Rocker was right when he said that players such as Chipper got away with doing whatever they wanted to do… It’s true!!! Larry should had retired at least three (3) years ago!!!!!!! He has done nothing but prevent us from making big moves during his off season due to his massive contract!!! He has recently been the Joe Johnson of the Braves…. Meanwhile, he hasn’t produced, he sits out most of the games (even when he isn’t truly injured), he chews that nasty redneck tobacco, and we got to constantly sit and watch his redneck father as he sits at the stadium.
Chop Chop
March 22nd, 2012
3:19 pm
Most of the cynical folks in their mothers’ basements using their mothers’ computers would have been fine if Chipper hadn’t signed that big contract extension. Then again, Wren is the guy who put it in front of him. I blame him. Chipper would have been a fool not to take that money. Let’s hope he goes out with a bang and not as The Gimper.
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.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
8:23 pm
The only person being creepy is you… I saw Jones spend his every off hour hanging around a shopping Mall (Macon Mall to be exact) trying impose his will on some stupid North Macon private school debutantes in front of our store. He was as sleazy Eugene Talmadge in a room of South GA Blue Dogs. I don’t expect a 19 year old to be a man and know when to zip it up… But hey, he could have been honest, most of ‘em would have stay given it up… He didn’t care, he trolled around Wesleyan acting like Karin Walford was the only one (and she didn’t have a clue)… But he was wearing FPD, MDS, Tatnall, and River North out like Tiger Woods (those are private schools in Macon) literally! He carried that same aw shucks boy next door crap all the way to Atlanta. Unfortunately he left a trail of carnage behind him… But hey, He didn’t care what he has doing… I don’t put athletes or celebrities on a pedestal… But hey, if you’re ass, just be honest with it!
I don’t care how far he can hit a baseball, nor that he can’t move to his left or right (and when he does disaster generally follows)! It is the Halll of Fame, not the Hall of Goodness or kindness… Some of are trying to make him a saint, he is as flawed as Bonds (he’s only missing the needles! So sure, celebrate what he was from 1995 to 2002 on the baseball field, it was a darn great run! But his mess of career since the Giants tore their manhood out in Fall of 02 is just the shell of what he did in 1998…
Zing
March 22nd, 2012
8:37 pm
You nailed it, Jeff. Chipper is one of those superstar guys that only come along once in a looooong while. I’ll miss seeing him play.
Mike S
March 22nd, 2012
8:53 pm
JSS- you still working at that same store in the Macon Mall? That’s what I thought.
Assclowns like you should be banned from the Internet all together.
STH
March 22nd, 2012
9:08 pm
A fitting tribute Sonny. Well done.
Billy
March 22nd, 2012
9:15 pm
I for one will miss watching Larry Wayne Jones in a Braves uniform after this season. I’m as guilty as anybody for dogging the man about his injuries in the past few years, but ballplayers with talent like that don’t come along very often and players who stay with one team their whole careers are quickly becoming an historical anachronism we should all admire. Anybody who wants to focus on the man’s past reputation off the field for being a hound dog is missing the point. If monogamy and political correctness were prerequisites for a place in Cooperstown, Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb would be part of history’s trash heap. Like one blogger wrote earlier, it’s the Hall of Fame not the hall of goodness. Don’t denigrate a great (and steroid free) career by trying to sanctify or demonize the man, just smile, remember all those booming line drives and say thanks for the memories.
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
9:37 pm
@ Mike S…
You and your Chipper acolytes wish everyone that was “assclown” (great language, kind of like like your sleazy hero)… Sorry Bubba, moved on to bigger and better things and places and things! And who are you Al Gore? At least Al was funny! What’s your excuse PBR cooler locked up again? Call Billy, he doesn’t drink, maybe he can use his fake ID to score you some brew?
busterbrave
March 22nd, 2012
10:09 pm
The cynical fan who sits in their mothers’s basement,and types on their mother’s computer can KISS MY ASS !! Chipper,i think you put it as well as anyone could put it,and the majority of Braves fans agree whole hardly with you !!! take note; JSS, DEPLANE,BJ,JARED,SIG,TODD VAN POOPEL,DAILLY STINGER,SSGATOR, and the most appropriately named, NOT SOON ENOUGH. just to add a little something from me and my fellow Chipper jones’s Fans SUCK IT !!!!!!
NC
March 22nd, 2012
10:27 pm
Just watched Chipper’s retirement speech and Curt Schilling said some great things about Chipper. I felt very proud of Chipper and the respect he is being given in the media. To me that is how you measure a hometown hero. Did he represent our city and our way of life in a positive manner? In many ways, Chipper truly represents the southern way of living. He did his work and didn’t make too big of a deal about it. Some people (myself at times) mistook his lack of rah-rah as a lack of leadership. Now, I think Chipper really reflected the way that Bobby managed. They both played the game the right way. I’m going to miss watching Chipper and I hope he is either manager or at least the Braves hitting coach within the next ten years.
Shakey
March 22nd, 2012
10:28 pm
Bought my tickets for the last game of the season right after I heard the news. Thanks, Chipper.
perk
March 22nd, 2012
10:49 pm
helluva ball player!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 22nd, 2012
10:55 pm
Bring him back as hitting coach for life. Please.
Atown
March 22nd, 2012
11:02 pm
For a first ballot HOFer Chipper’s gotta be one of the more under-appreciated players in the game. As someone that has followed him from the day he was drafted, I think I speak for a lot of 20 and 30 somethings when I say this is a sad day and the signaling of the end of a golden era for the Braves. He was our Aaron, Murphy and the next generation’s JHey (hopefully).
di
March 22nd, 2012
11:09 pm
love him or hate him – the man could hit a single with his eyes closed if we needed it. We enjoyed a few seasons of his career where he single handedly destroyed the mets. He showed up in big games and if you read or listen to post games he knew the game inside and out. He’s an HOF just as Glavine, just as Smoltz, and just as Maddux. It will be a long time before we talk about HOF’s again so savor the moments.
Arnold Ziffel
March 22nd, 2012
11:19 pm
Chipper was more than fairly compensated for his contributions to the Braves. And no Chipper, I live in my own house and use my own computer and iPad .
LOL
March 22nd, 2012
11:23 pm
Dale Murphy?!!! – LOL!
That’s hilarious.
No offense…..growing up in Atlanta seen the Murph play many seasons………..and what a player but you guys are cracking me up comparing him to Chipper Jones. Maybe you guys just don’t understand so I’ll just use the one argument that will sum up everything I was going to write:
Chipper – 1st ballot HOF!!!!!!! Save your breath boys.
tree rollins
March 23rd, 2012
12:17 am
$14M for a .270 hitter and 18 home runs – the Chipper’s a bargain!
tree rollins
March 23rd, 2012
12:21 am
Glad we’re paying him for what he used to be rather than what he is- we can afford it! Heck, we didn’t need any free agents with that money – we got all the hitters we need right here.
tree rollins
March 23rd, 2012
12:24 am
I still say let’s bring Phil Neikro back for one more season to say goodbye to the league – but I think $10M ought to be enough for Phil. We don’t want to get crazy with the money!
tree rollins
March 23rd, 2012
12:30 am
I fell down in my basement Chipper and I can’t get up – can you help me?? I’ll throw a couple $M at you if you’ll help me out. What’s that you say – your knees hurt too much to bend over? Don’t worry about it – I’ll find somebody else to help.
mace224
March 23rd, 2012
3:06 am
He hit .364 at the age of 36. Mantle was on his last legs then.
mace224
March 23rd, 2012
3:30 am
Chipper, I hope you go out with another MVP season. I love the critics comments, while the true baseball experts laud the contributions you’ve made, not only to this organization, but to baseball in general. A lot of youngsters all across the country became Brave fans because of you. Overpaid? You can’t put a price on memories.
clay
March 23rd, 2012
3:58 am
Just don’t see how anyone could say anything bad about Chipper. What he has done for this organization is crazy. If he was worried about the money then he would play for another season since the team has an option on him. I have grown up watching Chipper. He is the only original brave left. It will be sad to watch him go, but atleast we have all year to enjoy him one last time. Let’s send him out on a high note fellas.
dhal22
March 23rd, 2012
4:01 am
I’ve said it for 15+ years and I’ll say it again. Todd Van Poppel, thank you so much for your immature decision 20 years ago. I have never forgotten your maneuverings with the University of Texas and Olympic baseball threats and never will. How great it was to see you fail so utterly all those years ago. You went from one of the highest rated prospects ever to being forced to remind even your closest neighbor that you used to play baseball. How was that career with the Athletics that you wanted so bad? Because of that we ended up with one of the greatest players ever, one day to be immortalized in the HOF. At least the end is near for you. Once Chipper retires, your name will disappear off our radar screen and you can go back to utter obscurity like the rest of us. While I’m thinking about it, check your bank account, make sure you have rent money covered for next month. Have a nice life.
creekman
March 23rd, 2012
7:44 am
Thanks Chipper for all the years you gave it your all for the Braves. I for one will miss seeing the #10 over on the corner. Both of my sons got to grow up watching you and of course you becoming their favorite player and they both wore the #10 in youth ball every year. Here’s to you staying healthy your last year and going out with a bang. We hope you will be a Braves coach for years to come.
Email Profiling Is Wrong
March 23rd, 2012
8:43 am
“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.”
Here’s an unsolicited opinion for you Schultz – this article – otherwise very well done – could have done without you’re dredging up this rant from your exclusive interview with Jones.
I thought your words otherwise set the table pretty well for Chipper Jones’ final season. He is a great player and first ballot HoF’er who spent his entire career as an Atlanta Brave.
Revisiting his churlish remarks just reminds me (I guess I qualify as a basement-dwelling mama’s boy) why I have mixed feelings about the revered Mr. Jones.
And oh, by the way, those of us who don’t smell Chanel No 5 after Chipper’s left the stall buy Braves tickets too. Yo don’t have to like us Chipper, but a paying customer is a paying customer.
Congratulations Chipper Jones. You are, undeniably, an all-time great (baseball player).
blue
March 23rd, 2012
8:55 am
JSS…I’m sure you post some of your tripe just to feel self important, because you can’t really validate your statements by the numbers. For instance, you claim that after 2002, other than his .364 season, it was “hard to watch”. Here you go…but don’t let facts and numbers get in the way of your point. 2003: .305BA, 27HR, 106RBI, 2006: .324, 26, 86, 2007: 337, 29, 102. 2008: 364, 22, 75. Also, from 1998 to 2008, the guy had ONE season where his OBP was less than .400. Come on, JSS…validate your point with some numbers that indicate that for every season after 2002 he was “hard to watch”. Dolt…
Ignore the Haters
March 23rd, 2012
9:10 am
People like J S S and the others on here are prime examples of jealousy. When they were in Little League they were terrible. Could not catch a fly ball let alone hit a baseball. They could not get their own kids, if they are old enough, to make it for them so there is much hatred in them.
They have yet to appreciate someone that hd a great career so they instead of being happy for them they want to be bitter and knock them down. Chipper has to laugh at people like you because he made it and you did not. Bitter little people!
Thanks Chipper for the many years of service to the Braves. There are many more fans that appreciate you than are jealous of you. JSS, go back to your rock you crawled out of!
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
9:45 am
I doubt that we will see very much out of Chipper this season, he almost seems closer to 50 than 40. And when he strikes out looking with the bases loaded, or doesn’t even get out of his crouch when a grounder goes by, we will all think about what that $14M could have done for the Braves this season.
He was a gas to watch for his first dozen years, but the last few just seem like the typical story of a great player hanging around too long.
Thanks for the memories, Chip.
Larvell Blanks
March 23rd, 2012
9:55 am
Larvell, how many at bats did have in 04, 05, 06? You guys always run that one out there… Pujois had nearly 120-175 more at bats during that appearances! I won’t even get into plate appearances! Chipper just was MIA!
Well, first off, nobody is saying Chipper is as good as Pujols, but that’s hardly a slur, since you’d have a debate choosing between Pujols and Gehrig. (And Pujols is eight years younger, so I’d expect him to have fewer injuries). I was simply responding to your comment that the past 9 seasons have been “sad to watch” by showing that many of them have not been. If your point is simply that he missed games, and that’s sad, then you’re not going to get much disagreement. But I don’t think that was your point, since it’s kind of like saying “the sky is blue.”
And I was focusing on 2006-2008 as really good years, not 2004 (2005 was good, certainly not sad in terms of production when he was not injured). In 2006-2008, he had 477, 600, and 534 plate appearances — yes, he missed games, but not as many as you want to think, and when he was playing he was at the top of his game. Indeed, he was top 20 in MVP voting all three years, notwithstanding his missed games. I am not overtaken by sadness at that level of production.
Now for the past three years, I don’t think you’d get much disagreement that they have been pretty sad, particularly given how much of our budget he occupies.
13 Thoughts Headed into the Weekend | Nathan Beaver
March 23rd, 2012
10:34 am
[...] role he’s taken on in the last couple of years that has really endeared him to me (go HERE for another great [...]
bananajacket
March 23rd, 2012
10:58 am
JSS, are you serious about seeing Chipper “spending his every off hour”…? You don’t just sound bitter but very much like a stalker. Really hard to believe someone would post so much personal negativity on a blog. You are entitled to your opinions but, bless your heart, leave some space for others. Same advice for other haters.
Braves Fan
March 23rd, 2012
11:16 am
Bobby is gone.
Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz are gone.
Chipper is going.
Just doesn’t seem real without all of them.
JSS
March 23rd, 2012
11:17 am
Banana…
When a man (Jones) spends from 1PM to 9PM loitering in front of series of stores. Then you tell me who is the stalker? I did my job, unfortunately, you and your type don’t seem to understand that point… But hey, most of you sloppy seconds…
Skeezix
March 23rd, 2012
11:30 am
If you don’t understand and appreciate Chipper’s place in not only Braves history, but all of MLB history–then you just don’t know a heck of a lot about baseball.
Olde fan
March 23rd, 2012
11:31 am
Every successful team has one “golden” player, and Chipper has been that since day one. He’s been “Our Boy”. I feel like I know him, it’s been so long. The team won’t be the same without him. We are going to miss him more than we think. Thanks, Chipper, it has indeed been golden.
JSS
March 23rd, 2012
12:04 pm
“Come on, JSS…validate your point with some numbers that indicate that for every season after 2002 he was “hard to watch (?). Dolt (Use that when you learn how use a question mark)…”
When only play an average of .70% of all games for 7 of your last 10 years played. It is sad to watch.
When your defensive appearances drop in your last eight seasons to 126 out of 162, 101 out of 162, 105 out of 162, 126 out of 162, 115 out of 162, 133 out of 162, 89 out of 162, 116 out of 162 games, it is sad to watch.
That Chipper Jones finished in top 20 in MVP voting in a year where he missed more than 50 games played is an indictment of the Baseball Writers who voted for him…
The saddest thing about the Sabermatic freaks, you’ve forgotten that it is a two way game in the National League… You only at games, you never look to see if he started, just pinch hit, or pinch run (laughing because it Jones that I’m talking about)…
JSS
March 23rd, 2012
12:12 pm
I appreciate that he was novelty… He was a switch hitter and the third best one in the history of the game… And due to the Braves insistence to play Jeff Blauser at shortstop, he got to play third and establish himself there in the post Mike Schmidt/ pre Scott Rollen period of National League third basemen… But that Chipper Jones has only been a shell of that player since midway thru 2004. Of course the revisionist and Sabermatic freaks will say otherwise, but it is that, and no more…
Dawglasville
March 23rd, 2012
1:07 pm
I am proud of Chipper. I gained more respect for him on the backside of his career. At first he reminded me of Piaza. Great hitter, couldn’t field his position. In the debate of Jones vs Jones I always fell on the side of Andruw because he took great pride in his defense. I was also a huge Smoltz fan, so when he got on Chipper’s case I felt it was justified. That said, I appreciate the fact that he took less money and that he went to LF for the team. Mac won’t do it. I appreciate the fact that he worked harder on his defense. He was a much better third baseman when he came back from the outfield. You guys who hate Chipper and Bobby can steam over it when they enter Cooperstown on the first try.
SSIgator
March 23rd, 2012
1:25 pm
JSS -
Maybe you should save your breath. I used to think that the hard-core KoolAid drinkers were only on the UGA football sites. Turns out there are a whole bunch of them on the “I Love Chipper” train (very similar to the “I Love Mark Richt” train) as well. Logic or facts will not change them or convince them otherwise.
St Simons - we're on Island time
March 23rd, 2012
1:40 pm
He won’t be able to pull up that 0.091 avg when the game is on the line
by coming back for jus one year%^& OOPS broke a nail – out for 15 wks
Mako
March 23rd, 2012
1:51 pm
I’ve busted on Jones for the last couple of years, I will not continue since this is his last year. No more Chumper or Slipper comments. The hardest part for so many fans is realizing that the Jones we have today is not the same Jones of 1999 or the early 2000’s, age and time do take a toll.
GB
March 23rd, 2012
2:15 pm
JSS SHUT UP YOU DONT KNOW NOTHING ALL THOSE BIG WORDS AND YOU STILL DUMB CHIPPER JUST WON THE BATTING TITLE TWO YEARS AGO WHAT TH HELL ARE YOU TALKING BOUT YOU TOO MAKO
Grantland Rice
March 23rd, 2012
2:17 pm
My favorite memory of Chipper is how he has always been able to stick it the Mets. Hope he does it again his final year.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
March 23rd, 2012
3:08 pm
Chiper needed 2 go along time a go. He hurt the devlopmental of the young palyers that will take his place. Chipper is way 2 shelfish and has hurt this team.
JASon
March 23rd, 2012
5:26 pm
Chipper Jones is a piece of crap.
He is a great hitter but kills the team with his attitude and horrible motivational skills. He’s so negative. I believe Chipper is one of the main reasons this team sucks every September and, when applicable, October. The only other reasons is bobby cox, and thank god once they are both gone we can actually build the team’s mental strength, because lord knows the talent is there.
Jim S.
March 23rd, 2012
5:27 pm
Thanks to Chipper for a Hall of Fame career and the fact that he’s played all of his years with our hometown team. It is rarely seen these days. I’ll catch extra home games this year with my boys in hopes of seeing Chipper hit just a few more times. Here’s hoping he goes out with at least a 20/75/.280 year. Either way, he’s most appreciated.
CECIL UPSHAW
March 23rd, 2012
6:35 pm
My only gripe with larry was that HE could have prolonged his career & more than likely had less injuries IF he’d worked hired a trainner in the offseason!! HOF…NOT a doubt!! BETTER STATS had he trained in the offseason……….WITHOUT QUESTION!!!
Orlandobrave
March 23rd, 2012
6:39 pm
That picture up-top says it all. I hope Chipper has a good year, if not, a first time hall-of-famer.
Go Braves, I bet Chipper is a hitting coach soon…
Much cash
March 23rd, 2012
8:36 pm
I will visit the hall of fame once. When Larry makes his speech
Gregg Allman
March 23rd, 2012
8:38 pm
Chipper and me ate some cracklin cornbread, pinto beans with ham chunks and some onion one time.
Nativebird
March 23rd, 2012
9:14 pm
2nd Best Brave position player ever. In terms of all time, all Braves players…here it is:
1. Hank Aaron ( please…there is no question).
2. Greg Maddux. That’s right, 355 wins are you freaking kidding me…in the HEART of the offensive steriod era of baseball! That kind of performance is like 19th century christy Mathewson type stuff. Just incredible and wholly under-recognized.
3. Warren Spahn- yes mostly in Milwaukee but who cares….top 2 greatest left hAnders of all time and a freaking iron- man.
4. Chipper Jones. 2nd best greatest pure switch hitter that ever lived.
5. Tie between Eddie Matthews and Phil Niekro. The epitome of the 3rd base slugger and a quintessential 300 game winner on flat out horrible otherwise team’s.
Whopper Dawg
March 23rd, 2012
10:51 pm
Well said, Jeff. It is one of my pleasures of life to watch Chipper play baseball for the Braves.
Eric C.
March 23rd, 2012
11:10 pm
Nativebird, not sure how you can leave Dale Murphy off of that list. Just like Maddux dominated in an offensive era, Murphy was a slugger’s slugger in the offensive dearth of a pitching era.
There were many games when Murphy was the only reason to watch the Braves in the mid 80s. I HATE that Dale Murphy never played in a WS…one of the classiest people to ever put on a MLB uniform…too bad he wasn’t on the roster for 1991.
JSS
March 24th, 2012
7:42 am
October 3rd (go look at the schedule)… To paraphrase Morgan Freeman from the film ‘Glory:’ Tell ya’ Momma and Poppa, it’s the Jubilee!
Lawman
March 24th, 2012
9:01 am
Everyone has made bad decisions/choices in their lives at one time or another, none of us are perfect or without fault. So, why do these mental midgets/morons who have to make negative comments about another’s past mistake need to keep raking up trash when the past is behind someone and they have learned from their errors.
We are talking about a man who has played a game he loves and for one community/team that he respects. He has restructered his contract to benefit the organization, changed positions without complaint, played with injuries, mentored young and upcoming teammates, put up HOF numbers and does not the money.
No athlete is a god, even though some think differently, but Chipper is an example of a ball player who loves the game, plays hard and is all for the team. Chipper, thanks for the memories and showing us what a true professional is – the mental midgets who spout their venom need to get a life and learn what their faults are and learn from them as well.
larry(notLARRY)
March 24th, 2012
9:19 am
Is it JSS or ASS
Swing for the Fence
March 24th, 2012
10:05 am
It has been many grand years and a joy to watch Chipper. He plays for the love of the game and that sets him apart.
Chris
March 24th, 2012
10:25 am
2 seasons too late.
Chris
March 24th, 2012
10:27 am
“He plays for the love of the game and that sets him apart.”
Don’t kid yourself. The last 2 seasons he played to get every penny he could prior to hanging it up. 1 championship across 2 decades, much of the time with the best pitching staff in baseball.
Sideline Dude
March 24th, 2012
11:19 am
He was to be appreciated 10 years ago. That’s when he should have retired. Now, he’s just a hanger-on. Chipper – Don’t wait until this season is over & you’ve only been able to play half of the games, RETIRE NOW.
Sid
March 24th, 2012
11:52 am
JSS
March 23rd, 2012
12:12 pm
I appreciate that he was novelty… He was a switch hitter and the third best one in the history of the game…
***************************************************
I think your oldtimers is kicking in.
NEEDS TO LEAVE NOW!!!!!!
March 24th, 2012
12:21 pm
Once again – THE GIMPER JONES – THE DISABLED VETERAN – is headed to the slice and dice table……he can’t stay healthy, he can’t play….he can only HOBBLE off into the sunset….what a freaking waste of a roster spot and the money we have to pay him….RETIRE NOW GIMPER – you worthless piece of baseball memorabilia………….
Sid
March 24th, 2012
12:58 pm
NEEDS TO LEAVE NOW!!!!!!
March 24th, 2012
12:21 pm
*****************************************************
Disabled Veteran? You think our fighting men and women of this country are a joke? You are the worthless piece of _ _ _ _….!!
JSS
March 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
Is is “larry” or “slarry?”
JSS
March 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
Hey Sid…
Have a great day dreamers!!!
I won the pool at the English Beat concert last night! Larry Wayne just set a new record! He’s starting the brand new season on the DL!!! You don’t even have to start the final countdown at 162 this time!!! Go Chipper, and take the orthopedist with you!!!
bulldogbubba
March 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
Clusters – Do you have StinkyWintes ready to go at 3rd?
JSS
March 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Hey, here’s some good news! Chipper can do a Minor League Rehab retirement tour as well! Get ready Rome or Gwinnett, he’s coming to a stadium near you, scoop up those tix at State Farm or Cool Ray!!!
JSS
March 24th, 2012
2:21 pm
@ Lawman…
Don’t let redundancy hit you on the way to the witness stand…
G
March 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
I guess we should appreciate him on the DL again?
Sonny Clusters
March 24th, 2012
5:52 pm
We was all ready to give up on the Henry Grady statue idea and what does Chipper do? He goes on the DL! Of course, nobody knew what was happening when he announced his retirement but we was thinking that was smart because announcing a bad knee in spring training (was it the hole he stepped in while deer hunting?) could be very unpopular. We think this is very unfair for Prado who has to move again but it shows what a great team player he is. We was thinking this improves the defense but so would HGS. The Braves other answer would be rookies at ss and 3b and that would be dangerous. Does it seem odd that nobody was prepared for this? Coming off an EPIC Collapse must be hard on everybody.
jeff
March 24th, 2012
6:21 pm
As many accolades as Chipper Jones has amassed over the past 20 yrs, he could never Eclipse the Greatest Third Baseman in Braves History; Eddie Mathews.
ATL kid living in Arizona
March 24th, 2012
7:10 pm
I had a business trip to New York once and it was a travel day. I was travling through Flushing, NY and passed by Shea stadium. On a whim, I decided to see if those love to hate Mets were in town. Wouldn’t you know that they were and they were playing the Bravos. Of course I had to grab my Braves hat out of my suitcase in the parking lot and bought an upper deck seat behind home plate. Wouldn’t you know it, when number 10 came to the plate, all the LARRY ….LARRY chanting started. I got up from my seat and started doing orchestra motions like I was conducting the Atlanta Symphony. They all told me to sit down and shut up. Mr. Jones did his thing and belted a double driving in some key runs in a Braves victory on the road. I winked at a Mets blowhard and said – “That’s why you guys can’t stand him! But it’s also why you have to respect him!” What can a guy say after that – he shook his head and agreed.
Thanks Chipper. You are a hell of a player and will be sorely missed by Atlanta fans AND baseball fans far and wide!
Mako
March 24th, 2012
7:42 pm
Sorry, but I can’t resist, I know I said no more negative comments about Jones……but this is just screaming for my Achy Breaky Jones comment!
Stinger2
March 25th, 2012
4:39 am
Clusters: I thought you were finished with your negative and silly nonsense comments about Chipper and the Braves at least on this blog. I see now that you are continuing to rant on and on with the same old references such as Henry Grady monument, etc. If you are going to continue, at least come up with some new silliness and legitimate comments /complaints about the Braves.
Chris
March 25th, 2012
8:44 am
More milking by the former superstar….all the while, naive worshippers reflect on days gone by. Hard to believe he’s hung on to get the very last penny possible as praise still rains down.
cloudodust
March 25th, 2012
8:47 am
JS, I think this is a good piece. It’s hard to walk away from the game you love, but for Chipper, I think he’s timing it out about right for the Braves benefit as well as his. Chipper is on the money about who he deems, the cynical fan.
Chris
March 25th, 2012
9:58 am
“Chipper is on the money “…..yeah, you’re certainly right about that…….
L Hutson
March 25th, 2012
10:04 am
Vinny, time to leave your Mom’s basement and get a life…As a Met’s fan even with all the destruction #10 has put on my team…I can appreciate what he means to the Braves, MLB and the ATL…He’s earned the right to end his career as he sees fit…
Larry
March 25th, 2012
10:24 am
You idiots that bash Chipper…are more useless than I have words for. The simple facts escape you. He is STILL one of the most feared hitters in the league. Whether it be a single, double, or the admitted declining HR, pitchers have a ton of respect for the man. There are few 3rd basemen that handle the hot shot to left, bare-hand throw to first OR second…and playing hurt may have been his downfall. You’ll never get it and who cares?
Blob Horner
March 25th, 2012
10:46 am
Enter your comments here
Sid
March 25th, 2012
10:58 am
JSS
March 22nd, 2012
12:37 pm
Sid
March 22nd, 2012
12:26 pm
JSS
“I’m not your puppet nor do you have an audience.”
_________________________________________________________________________________
Then stop running your chops like Chipper did through his proxies in the media! He (and you) are big *** talkers when he was telling his detractors how was going to prove father time wrong! Guess what? He sure showed the universe his big stones. Well, when he wasn’t on the shelf putting a dip in his mouth!
******************************************************************
I hope you understand JSS that your response is just stupid man. It makes you
read like your a mental patient. Frankly, it seems like you are jealous of Chipper Jones.
You are pissed at your own deficiencies, quit raggin’ and naggin’ on a good ballplayer.
Sid
March 25th, 2012
11:02 am
JSS
March 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
Hey Sid…
I won the pool at the English Beat concert last night! Larry Wayne just set a new record! He’s starting the brand new season on the DL!!! You don’t even have to start the final countdown at 162 this time!!! Go Chipper, and take the orthopedist with you!!! Have a great day dreamers!!!
***********************************************************
I hope you understand JSS that your response is just stupid man. It makes you
read like your a mental patient. Frankly, it seems like you are jealous of Chipper Jones.
You are pissed at your own deficiencies, quit raggin’ and naggin’ on a good ballplayer.
***************************************
Somebody take his computer away.
DePlane
March 25th, 2012
11:38 am
Idjits, everyone is entitled to their own opinion…remember? Even you…yeah you.
I never said I don’t appreciate Chipper for what he’s brought to the Braves over the years. But the oft injured player who wants the adulation for an entire year before he retires never sits well with me. He is still getting paid right? So shutup and play and when you actually retire I’ll give you your accolades. If you can’t play, then retire and I’ll give you your accolades. But don’t treat me like I’m supposed to drink the kool-aid when you ain’t doing nothing yet this season.
Sid…jealous? What are you smokin’? We can rag on whoever we want, it’s a free country right?
You appear to be one of those loyalists who will attack anyone if they have an opinion different from yours. Well have at it…and enjoy…your entitled…just like I’m entitled to voice my own opinion. But don’t be generalizing because somebody doesn’t hero worship your hero. Nuff said.
Scott
March 25th, 2012
12:29 pm
Thank you, Chipper, for a great career.
Atlanta is proud of you and we will see you in the Hall of Fame.
Have a fun final season, you deserve it.
GO BRAVES !
Blob Horner
March 25th, 2012
12:37 pm
Seeing these two Braves Icons side by side draws to mind the salient parallels between them. They were both the best of their generation at their position, maybe top two franchise position players in Braves history(only Matthews enters into the debate), their career stats are remarkably similar, Hanks power numbers and longevity higher, Chippers obp a bit higher, but both all-time elite numbers. Both saw their late career and team results flag, perhaps due to some casual training habits(Hank smoked, chipper went hunting), and both saw their fan base follow a concurrent drop-off. Both had strong opinions that may have alienated some of their fan base, some of it not as introspective as the decerning fan may have expected. I’m not convinced that either had the type of personalities that inspire teammates to a higher level, the 6th tool of the great player, but few players were that complete package. The other parallel is that they will both be missed and revered once they are long gone.
Chris
March 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
“I’m not convinced that either had the type of personalities that inspire teammates to a higher level…”
This is one of the most insightful comments yet. 1 championship over 2 decades, much of the time with the best pitching staff in baseball. That’s classified as a “NUFF said!”
Atlanta Stadium
March 25th, 2012
1:56 pm
Ed Mathews will always be known as the Braves best third baseman, and forever {damn} Paul Richards for sending him to Houston.
Sonny Clusters
March 25th, 2012
2:07 pm
Stinger2, are you preaching somewhere today? Or just on this blog? You remind us of a nosy neighbor . . . one that peeks through the window at you when you get home. You may be sick and probably should get some help. While you’re out, stop by Walmart and buy yourself a Braves tee shirt so we can tell you’re a “true” fan. Silly little man.
Stinger2
March 25th, 2012
3:27 pm
Clusters: I did not preach but I did go to SS and Church. Now that I am back let meset the record straight:
I have no problem with you or anyone else having your opinion about the Braves. My concern
is about how you use your comical wit to continue posting the same disparaging or negative nellie remarks without anything new to add. Everyone incluing Mark B. and Jeff S. know you do not like Chipper and Fredi. So what is your point in continuing to post the same thing? Find something new you do not like about the Braves. By the way, if Chipper were your son, would you like to see other people posting what you post about him?
Sonny Clusters
March 25th, 2012
6:19 pm
Silly little man. We might say the same about you . . . always posting the same thing and always posting about us. Go find a hobby. Read a good book. Stay out of our business. Silly, silly, little man.
JSS
March 25th, 2012
8:42 pm
Blob…
Don’t let Wally Berger get in the way of your warped Chipper reality… It is Aaron, Mathews, maybe Jones, Berger, and Murphy… Those three are interchangeable… But without Murphy, the Braves are somewhere else playing like the hockey teams… He and the emergence of 1991 team saved the franchise!
JSS
March 25th, 2012
8:56 pm
“By the way, if Chipper were your son, would you like to see other people posting what you post about him?”
Larry Wayne Sr is a grown man, he better be worrying about his social security, medicare, and trying to keep his grandkids insulated from their Pop’s past deeds…
JSS
March 25th, 2012
9:03 pm
“You are pissed at your own deficiencies, quit raggin’ and naggin’ on a good ballplayer.”
October 3, 2012 can’t get here soon enough for me… The best part about Chipper and his supporters are that the louder they cry about people telling the truth about his decline, the more money I generally get from their silly bets about his mythical abilities! Sid, it just hurts you immensely that you keep putting your faith in him defying the fact that his time is up!!! D-O-N-E!!!
bulldogbubba
March 25th, 2012
11:27 pm
Clusters and Stinger2 – In the words of that famous philosopher Rodney King- Can’t we all get along?
Stinger2
March 26th, 2012
4:58 am
bulldogbubba: I can get along with anyone and I am not mad at Clusters. As I have said many times, he has a right to his opinions like everyone else does.
The reason I question him about his comments is that he uses his wit to make negative points about Chipper, Fredi and the organization in general with the same old stuff such as deer, Henry Grady monument, Chippers` injuries, etc. He has made all of us on Mark Bradley and Jeff Schults` blogs (he does not comment on DOB blogs) aware that he does not like Chipper.All I am saying is that it would be great to hear something different from Clusters. He could (if he would) use his wit to say something positive. If he does not see anything positive , then at least find something new negative to say.
IceColdATLien
March 26th, 2012
5:44 am
He took a lot of heat cuz of the stupid things he did (illegitimate kid/cheating on first wife) and the some of his arrogant ways (who could possibly be as good as he was at such a young age and NOT be cocky? I mean, dude named his son Shea cuz of how much he owned the Mets in their own digs… that may be the most cocky, but not ignorant or mean-spirited, thing I’ve ever heard of a player doing or saying… except maybe T.O.’s “I love me some me!”… which is just one of the best cockyism of all time), but he has truly become an icon of the team and the town itself.
One thing that this article should have mentioned more (at all) was that he was smack in the middle of the roided-out era when those punks Sosa, McGwire, ARod, etc. were gettin’ all the national media love, but Chip really didn’t cuz he didn’t have those ridiculous years of ridiculous numbers. Well, now that all those media hacks who showered praise on the roided-ones have one last chance this year to shower the praise on Chip that he should’ve gotten back then. If you were to take away those punk players (and even the ones who were obviously juiced but never got caught), then Chip would have at least one more MVP and several more All-Star selections. Don’t get me wrong, then guy’s stupid rich, had a great time the past twenty years playing ball for a living, so I’m not exactly feeling bad for the dude… but every media jerk in every town the Braves go to this year should not only publicly give a mea culpa on their hometown radio/tv stations for not recognizing the greatness that was Chipper Jones for all those years cuz they were so enamored with Sosas and Giambis, but they should each go up to Chipper and apologize to him. That might sound a little crazy to some of y’all, but he deserves the love and they owe it to him for not giving it up to him at the time.
And if those bozos don’t make Chip a first-ballot guy… even WITH those cheaters included in the mix… then I’ll never consider the voters with any respect ever again. If you take into account that he did what he did the right way (the natural way) then he shouldn’t even need to be voted in… they should just personally escort him into the hall as one of the absolute best of his era… and generally one of the best of any era, really. Even with what the injuries robbed him of, he’s still in the top few switch guys ever. Sure he didn’t win but one ring, but there’s just so much to be said for him being a centerpiece of the most consistently winning franchise in the game. Maybe if they didn’t have to compete with so many cheaters, they’d have had at least two more rings. Sorry for the rant, but I just f’in hate cheaters and it really galls me that the media doesn’t spend more time placing focus on the guys from that era who didn’t roid out. Let’s be honest, for all the hard work Jones has put in over the years, let’s just say he’s never had the physique of a guy doing roids… and he was still bombing 45 homers a year. Just silly…
JSS
March 26th, 2012
12:50 pm
Stinger2 would never get Lenny Bruce, Heny Youngman, or Nichols and May! You’re among genius! Clusters has grown exponentially from the early Francoeur/Parkview stuff! Now go back to sleep!
Chris
March 26th, 2012
4:35 pm
Taking up a roster spot again and jeopardizing the club’s ability to make any kind of run. All to get the very last penny he can get.
Keith
March 26th, 2012
6:34 pm
As Chipper said All of you in your mother’s basement can kiss his and mine asses.
JSS
March 26th, 2012
11:32 pm
Keith
March 26th, 2012
6:34 pm
No thanks, you both probably have same staph infection from the same training table! 10/03/2012 LFCJD!!! Ticker tape!!!
The Duke of Flatbush
March 27th, 2012
9:59 pm
Chipper is one of the best all around third baseman of the modern era. To say anything less would be inaccurate. He has been a Brave for as long as I have been in Atlanta and will be missed when he finally hangs them up.
Ignore the trolls-they want you attention cuz they don’t get any from the ladies.
Don
March 28th, 2012
9:13 am
No question Chipper has been a great, great hitter – even better than he has been given credit for being – because he was so great against the best pitchers – and in close games – and in the late innings of close games.
But when you refer to him being the BEST “PLAYER” relating to any comparison- you should be saying the best “HITTER” or the “BEST HITTING PLAYER”.
Chipper has never been a great DEFENSIVE third baseman – below average – range is limited – and range is made even worse by playing too shallow in unnecessary situations.
In talking about Chipper and making comparisnons, you seem to forget or ignore the fact that a baseball player must play defense half of the time.
I am not saying that he does not belong in the hall of fame – just that you seem to consider and make comparisons based only on his great offensive skills.
JSS
March 28th, 2012
2:14 pm
“Ignore the trolls-they want you attention cuz they don’t get any from the ladies.”
, man that is as weak Chipper trying to go his left, right, in on a bunt…
Ha ha ha ha
See, Don made an reasonable argument…
Hy Ronatt
March 28th, 2012
11:18 pm
I will appreciate him more when he’s gone.
Jojo
March 29th, 2012
8:13 pm
Thanks Chipper, for the memories! And for staying true to the Braves and the city of Atlanta. You are one in 14 million!!!!