Chipper Jones goes on DL — can Braves win without him?
Chipper Jones missed his seventh straight start with calf injury suffered at Tampa Bay.
(Updated: 11:31 p.m.)
When the Braves returned home Friday night, they didn’t have the usual look of a team just one game out of first place.
Their egos: dented from being swept in a four-game series for the first time in three years. Chipper Jones’ left calf: a blistered-and-blood-engorged mess from taking a missile of a grounder just above the ankle. Freddie Freeman: still unsure whether to go with the new prescription goggles or new contacts for the dry eyes that caused blurry vision. Brian McCann and Matt Diaz: fluish (although Diaz strangely felt comforted that he was now coughing up “red and green” mucus).
But near the end of May, despite a five-game losing streak, the arrow still generally points north for a team that played 29 of its first 46 games on the road — except for one significant area. They’re not giving much of an impression they can win without Chipper Jones.
This is an important issue, and not because Jones missed the entire four-game series in Cincinnati, and the Braves were swept. Even before his injury and at a time when seemingly everybody else in the lineup was hitting, the team still struggled without Jones.
Jones went on the disabled list following Friday’s 7-4 loss to Washington. He still has significant pain in his left calf and the Braves decided it wasn’t worth it to force him back into the lineup this weekend. But this isn’t meant to be an examination of whether he is too brittle at the age of 40. What happened to him at Tampa Bay last week could’ve happened to a 20-year-old: He took a B.J. Upton ground ball off his calf and the leg swelled and mutated. (Jones said, “I’ve never been hit that hard, ever,” and he was told if his ankle area had not had not been “cushioned” by socks and his shoe, the grounder would’ve broken a bone.)
The issue is whether the Braves are too dependent on one player to be successful. They’ve now played 47 games. They’re 21-8 when Jones has started or made at least one plate appearance and 5-13 when he hasn’t played at all. Discounting late-game appearances, the Braves are 19-5 (.792) when Jones starts and 7-16 (.304) when he doesn’t.
A winning percentage drop-off without Jones would be expected. Just not 488 points.
Maybe the Braves are better equipped to manufacture runs with Michael Bourn’s speed at the top of the batting order. Maybe hitting coach Greg Walker has improved the club’s situational hitting. But the contrasting won-loss records are alarming, particularly since Jones is going to be out of the lineup every few games even when he’s “healthy,” just to protect his knees.
“When he comes back, I don’t think he’s going to miss six or seven games in a row again,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
But just in case, does the team still need to prove it can win without Jones?
“Yes. But I don’t think he’s going to miss six or seven in a row again,” Gonzalez said. “If he misses six, seven in a row, we’re in trouble. But any team is going to have a hard time surviving when a guy in the middle of their lineup misses [a number of] games. The Phillies, without [Ryan] Howard and [Chase] Utley, they’re kind of treading water.”
Players don’t seem overly concerned about the situation, although Bourn said, “You never want to depend on one guy, but Chipper is who he is, and we’re going to miss him when he’s not in there. After this year, you’re going to have to get used to it because he’s not going to be here.”
Jones is having a strong season. He is third on the club in batting average (.307) and RBIs (24). He believes his presence brings “a calming influence” to others.
But, he said, “If you’re asking me whether guys go up to the plate and think, ‘Chipper’s not in the game so I’ve got to step up,’ I don’t think that’s the case. I just think what’s happened lately is I’ve missed quite a few games, and some guys have kind of fallen out out of the trees that they were in offensively.”
He sat out Friday. He may be out again Saturday. The Braves need to start figuring out how to win without him.
By Jeff Schultz
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274 comments Add your comment
J-Man
May 25th, 2012
11:03 pm
None of the Beat writers called out Fredi G for not DH Chipper in that Tampa series.
But Larry Drew gets blasted and has a poll on him as to if he should stay or go……I just wanna canll hypocrisy
Bruce Benedict
May 25th, 2012
11:04 pm
Am I the only one that thinks games at Turner Field are nearly impossible to endure anymore, whether the time stinks or not? (They do). With all of the ridiculous dance music being played, idiots playing to the fan cam, and goobers running around dressed up as hammers and screwdrivers, it’s as if the game doesn’t even matter anymore. These aren’t professional baseball games anymore, they are nothing but sophomoric entertainment events that appeal only to ignorant rubes and little kids who couldn’t care less about what is happening on the field. These morons actually cheered Tim Hudson when he left the mound tonight. CHEERED! The man gave up 7 runs in 6 innings!!! I’m so sick of this pathetic organization and their worthless fans who don’t care squat about the history of this game and don’t respect it.
Felix
May 25th, 2012
11:04 pm
What will be Braves management’s response be to this unfolding disaster? A new pitcher? No. A new batter (who can actually hit)? I doubt it very much.
……….They’ll probably drop the price on the hot dogs again.
Frank Wren and J.S.
May 25th, 2012
11:11 pm
We took a real hard look at Braves personnel during the off season and determined that last Sept. was just a fluke and that we had a World Series quality team. So there was no need to make any changes (except Durbin and Franscisco of course).
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
11:25 pm
“sonny”–Kindly converse about baseball instead of your opening comments or any such.
“sos”– Diaz IS clutch, has been his whole career.
So, now the Braves wear red on Fridays, too, huh? Apparently each MLB team has two uniforms each for home and road, one of the many indictments against the Selig Administration. They need to wear the gray ones on the road.
Bring back Jose Constanza, and have a speed lineup. Charlie Manuel, clearly the best manager in the division, knows Utley and Howard are out (another reason why we don’t need Minor right now as much) and has gone for a speed-heavy lineup with Rollins, Victorino, and Pierre. Their record is immaterial; what you do with your God-given mind, talent, etc. is infinitely more important. Philadelphia’s doing pretty well with what it has.
In response to the Jair “experiment” being false, the man’s a proven pitcher, folks. He’s just injured. Is he close at all to returning? Don’t ask the Atlanta Braves or their announcers, who are quick to say someone’s okay when he’s not, and no, I’m not primarily disappointed out of seeing players as commodities.
Again, might as well have kept Lowe since they’re paying 2/3 of his salary. You do the math. If you pay 2/3, you might as well get 3/3 instead of 0/3 of his services. This is the reverse of the Mike Hampton trade….sort of. (That’s another Schuerholz special. That man did well in ‘91 and also in getting McGriff, Maddux, and Galarraga, but he had some bad ones to his name, i.e. running Glavine and Justice out. Yeah, Justice had gotten borderline unbearable in his Halle Berry days, but trading him shouldn’t have been the primary option.)
Mlb.com has got to be the worst sports site of them all. Try clicking on a player’s stats, and you get tons of obscure options but then can’t actually get statistics to pull up. How ridiculous, disorganized, and incompetent.
Sign Josh Hamilton. Yeah, make a move for Oswalt, too. By the way, the Pujols homer off Lidge in Game 5 did a number on the Astros’ WS chances. Oswalt went from being in position to pitch three times in the fall classic to just twice. Phil Garner’s refusal to use Lidge in Game 6 hurt Lidge far more than the homer did, though.
This team, the announcers, etc. need to step up the professionalism and drop the excuses. Chip Caray once gave me a bit of an attitude on the postgame show (ignorantly…he backed off when he realized he misunderstood me). They mostly make excuses for losses, and you hear a lot about the wind knocking carrying opposing homers out. I’ve heard nothing about the wind keeping opposing would-be homers in the park. The overall gamday experience at Turner Field is pretty bad also…too much emphasis on the big screen.
Jeff Schultz
May 25th, 2012
11:26 pm
Folks — Braves announced after the game that Chipper Jones will go on the disabled list. Will update column shortly.
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
11:35 pm
Let’s get Constanza back in the lineup, Teheran back in the rotation, and overall professionalism back also.
I think Tim Hudson is in more discomfort than he lets on and is the grittiest player we have.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
11:38 pm
So Mr Schultz, what do they do now??? And to everybody else, i have been screaming this for the past 3 seasons and its just about to get ugglier. Chipper is finished, this is what happens to old guys in the league.
It was time for them to make a move last year but management screwed the pooch as usual. Awful pithing staff with a bi-polar lineup…wait, this whole team is bi-polar even management!
Folks, there is still room for the Washington National bandwagen! ATLANTA SUCKS IN EVERYTHING THAT DEALS WITH SPORTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
11:43 pm
The Phillies have Utley and Howard out and are going with a speed approach, which is wise. Heyward is hit-or-miss, so let’s try more speed in his stead.
“sonny”– Kindly stick to baseball over the other.
Juan Francisco was a fine find. In limited action he is nearly the home-run leader on this team.
Mlb.com is a sorry site; uploading individuals’ statistics is rather difficult and presented in obtuse fashion.
Make a move for Josh Hamilton this offseason; he just happens to be the game’s best player and a free agent.
Turner Field would do well to bolster its atmosphere to that of a baseball game, and fans would do well to act civilly. Some guy at a recent game complained that Eric O’Flaherty wasn’t that animated en route to the team bus. Fans tend to have an insatiable list of obscure requests for players, even during their job duties, and then act like the players are the selfish ones, i.e. the lady writing about her son not getting autographs on his birthday. (Grow up, lady.) Most kids don’t even say “Thank you”. Many adults don’t, either, and act like player salaries trump the necessity of decency. No, they don’t.
The Hawks should sign Allen Iverson. The league’s incompetent commissioner appears to have blackballed him from the league; the league needs to do so to Stern, who has sabotaged the league’s credibility for years.
Matt Diaz IS clutch.
Gene
May 25th, 2012
11:46 pm
I attended two of the games in Cincinnati. Prior to the games, the starters were doing a little dance on the field that did involve fanny patting and fist bumping. After having their butts handed to them by Cinci in the first game, you would think that the pregame dancing would have ceased. From watching those four losses, it is clear that Francisco is a liability. Jones will continue to miss games, so Fredi should play Prado or find someone who can at least field. The Braves’ announcers can make excuses for Heyward and Freeman, but if they don’t start to hit, the Braves will be on the golf course in Oct. Speaking of announcers, the Braves have the worst announcers I know of. Sometimes I listen to the Dodgers, just to hear Vin Scully. When Scully came up, in 1950, his goal was to describe the game so a listener would not know his team affiliation. Sutton and Powell should try to emulate Scully, and cut out the bad comedy, but that takes preparation and work. Things are not looking good. This team will have to be a contender without Jones and stop conceding games in Chipper’s absence.
STRETCH
May 25th, 2012
11:48 pm
The Braves cut the lead to 4-3 before Zimmerman’s bases-loaded double off Tim Hudson in the seventh.
So, im trying to figure out why was he still in the game???!!!!
Ronald Millsaps
May 25th, 2012
11:58 pm
Back to Iverson, watched some footage of one of my favorite sports memories of all time–the fourth quarter of Game 2 Sixers-Raptors 2001 playoffs–where Iverson scored 19 straight points in the fourth and 54 for the game—and that “legendary” coach Lenny Wilkens didn’t even double him.
Wilkens vs. Larry Brown was a mismatch and a half, and not in favor of Coach Lenny. Brown and Rick Carlisle are the two best coaches this sport has seen in the last thirty years and maybe much longer.
Iverson’s also the best Sixer of all time. Barkley and “The Doctor” were great but not quite in this man’s league. I still love his quote in response to how Tyronne Lue “cooled” him off in Game 1: (chuckles, swings head) “He was holdin’ me the whole time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
nashvillewill
May 25th, 2012
11:58 pm
Braves are likely to be swept at home by Nationals. Surely Nats will be favored in next two, given the pitching matchups. And I don’t see anyone stepping up in key situations, especially not the middle of the lineup. Pastornicky actually plays with more enthusiasm than the other guys. I say move him up to the 3-hole, as Freeman is woeful. I guess leave McCann in cleanup for now. Release the dead weight on this team – Wilson, Hinske, Diaz, Francisco – and bring up some young guys with energy and desire. Give Uggla 3 or 4 games off. Bring up the three best hitters in Gwinnett regardless of position. Send Heyward down. Do Something! This team is falling off the cliff. And, when your starting pitcher has lost it and is danger of giving up the game in the 7th inning, change pitchers. I could not believe FG left him in.
Mister Frisky
May 26th, 2012
12:19 am
This team sure looks a lot like last years team.That’s right,it is last years team.That explains everything.
Don McMahon
May 26th, 2012
1:43 am
Don McMahon
May 26th, 2012
1:40 am
I agree with Clusters: too much hugging and too early. Hugging should be reserved for winning the game. And, not really intense prolonged hugging then. Looks bad. Can’t see players like Aaron, Musial, Gibson, Mays, and Banks hugging.
You can catch the flu hugging. You can hurt your eyes hugging. And, it looks bad. Popeye could hurt someone hugging. And, groins should not touch in baseball hugging. We are getting too many pulled groins and leg muscle injured, and hugging may be the culprit.
We are also getting too many “got to tip our cap: comments and this may be the result of ticking off the other team when they see us hugging too early.
And, too much spitting too. We are going to spit while hugging and it will be on a fellow hugger, sometimes known as the huggee, or on his shoes.
Let’s clean up our hugging acts. Only behind closed doors in the lockerroom after a win. Hell, I was expecting Uggla or FF to hug the drunk who ran on the field.
Nationals drop Braves as Chien-Ming Wang wins season debut – ESPN | Danta Report
May 26th, 2012
3:19 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
hop
May 26th, 2012
5:05 am
the braves are through and so is chipper jones!
JSS
May 26th, 2012
5:41 am
Clusters wins the over and under contest again on Chipper going on the DL!!! Congrads DQ one!!!
bob
May 26th, 2012
6:42 am
It all starts with the MANAGER. Did you see the Washington manager Pull their peacher in the 5th up 4-1? Our MANAGER would Never do it. Difference between winning and losing.
Lil' Barry Bailout
May 26th, 2012
6:43 am
I guess 162 games last year wasn’t enough to convince Frank Wren that the team really did need better hitters.
bob
May 26th, 2012
7:05 am
CLEAN CUT- Look at Cincy and Washington ( clean cut) look at the Braves. They look like they can’t or won’t shave. Starts with the MANAGER, no control, and has to GO. I thought they were America,s Team.
1eyedJack
May 26th, 2012
7:27 am
Is there any doubt now that Chipper is the heart and soul of this team?
Komagawa
May 26th, 2012
7:42 am
we must always keep in mindie , “what the players, and Freddie in the clubhouse and what they say to the media are slightly different. This is a matter of course for the reporters, and it is their job to sift through this and that then add their opinion. This truism doesn’t go without saying. It needs to be repeated, over and over, esp. when this kind of sensitive topic comes up. The team a weakness, and it is apparent, it is part of the Braves identity for this season. That said, we should just accept it like sunshine and rain, and move on.
DawgDad
May 26th, 2012
7:52 am
No, the Braves have NOT proven they can win without Chipper. Couldn’t expect too much this week with Freeman, McCann, and Chipper all out; the real issue is whether or not this team can perform over the long haul and make the playoffs. Too many shortcomings in the roster. Phillies have played all year without Utley and Howard, and how far back are they?
The Braves are back to where they were before they signed Garrett Anderson. They need to move Prado back to third base (they really should have left him on second base) and thus they need a productive everyday left fielder. Somehow, I have zero confidence in Wren addressing this effectively.
The moral of this story is don’t pay 40-year olds $15 million per, and don’t RELY on a catcher to anchor your lineup. What you get from Jones and McCann should be gravy, not the meat.
Packer Ed
May 26th, 2012
7:56 am
Maybe the Atlanta Braves should purchase lottery tickets. If they win the Braves will have needed cash to compete.
Anybody have any other ideas?
Flash
May 26th, 2012
7:59 am
They better learn how since this is his last year.
Packer Ed
May 26th, 2012
7:59 am
Just think, only 7 weeks until football training camp opens and about 8-9 weeks from the first exhibition football game.
I can hardly wait, turn out the lights, the Braves may be finished forever. The Atlanta Braves are a Triple A ball club at best.
NO O
May 26th, 2012
8:29 am
The Braves stuck with a team who showed they are what they are last year. They still have NO consistant offense. NO Speed, NO clutch hitting and instead of finding a everyday 3rd baseman they stuck with Chipper who has proven the last few years he WILL NOT play more than 80 games. The down hill run is just beginning
jerry
May 26th, 2012
8:34 am
Not only is “Homer” Simpson an announcer, he is also a doctor. He knew exactly how bad McCann felt and stated that McCann was not in baseball shape………….just before McCann threw out a runner trying to steal second. Perhaps he should stick to telling us exactly why Minor is having control problems or exactly why Heyward is missing the curve ball……or perhaps he should stick to telling us what is happening on the field, (minus his predictions), and please leave out the excuses for Braves’ failures. Or even better, maybe I should learn to use the mute button.
No Flag Since Lemke
May 26th, 2012
8:38 am
Let me understand this. Last year everybody was on our manager for overworking the bullpen. This morning we should string Fredi up for not pulling our best pitcher in the fifth. Which is it?
J-Bone
May 26th, 2012
8:38 am
Somebody has got to step up! Where is Freeman, Heyward, Uggla, Mcann? They have disappeared!!! This is pathetic! They are relying on a 40 year old hall of famer, but he cant do it all by himself. What are they gonna do next year when Chipper is not around at all? When Chipper walks away, the Braves are done.
Spud Webb
May 26th, 2012
8:42 am
Sad for Chipper….but we’ve all known this season would go like this, hurt, not hurt, hurt, not hurt…still gotta win without him. It’s a long season and the Braves will rebound, with or without gimp.
Tim
May 26th, 2012
8:47 am
Check the pitching stats. Braves are well into the lower half of the national league. 6th loss in a row comes today – Minor is pitching. He’s not major league material. As for Chipper, it’s sad to see a great player struggling with injuries. If it continues (and it probably will), look for him to hang it up by the all-star break.
robert todd
May 26th, 2012
9:14 am
Chipper will stay all year, he will not walk away from 12 million bucks.And Minor should be in Rome!!!!!!!
1eyedJack
May 26th, 2012
9:18 am
Time to bring up Andrelton Simmons and see if he can play 3B?
drew
May 26th, 2012
9:27 am
What a dumb question…
No, the Braves will lose 162 games next year as Chipper is retiring.
It’s called a TEAM for a reason.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
9:56 am
What the Braves should pursue is a manager and a pitching coach. ‘Course we all know that until we get an owner who cares a tinkers damn, this ain’t gonna happen. Both Fredi Cox and Roger McCox know they’re safe as long as Liberty has the conn.
STRETCH
May 26th, 2012
9:57 am
A few things,
1st of all, why were you leaving Hudson in the game after he walks a pitcher?!!! Fredi says, “I figured it was Huddy’s game to win or lose.” What????
2nd, Folks this thing is starting to go down hill now. How does a team NOT be serious about finding a replacement for a guy that hasnt played more than 120 games the last 4 years? But every freakin year stock up on pitching. Pitching that is OVERRATED!
3rd, They brought back the same exact team that folded down the stretch last season, so what do we expect? And you cant keep “Tipping your cap” when its cleary the personel not focusing when they are at the plate. That lineup is full of a bunch of chokers.
My point; the Braves scored what 8 runs in 4 games in Cincy while last night the Rockies put up 6 and won.
And last night the Nats(with all their injuries) kept coming to the plate and making it happen with RISP while the Braves continue to walk up to the plate and whiff, pop up, or ground out when its time to cash in.
And Wren will sit on his arse and say “We like our team.” Well people, dont believe the hype cause I DONT!!!
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
10:00 am
Stretch, me neither!
mcdavidastro
May 26th, 2012
10:09 am
DL is where Chipper has lived for most of the last five years. Works out to 300,000 per game played. He won’t play with an ingrown toe nail.
STRETCH
May 26th, 2012
10:13 am
Ebenezer,
Check out these stats as a team:
BA – .180
Runs/game – 2.4
ERA – 5.81
Run Diff. -11
Longest losing streak since last 6 games of 2011
Guess Wren and company doesnt see the trend.
Sideline Dude
May 26th, 2012
10:21 am
Surprise, surprise, Chipper on the DL. Say it ain’t so. What a hanger-on.
When's the Braves future 3rd baseman gonna be ready?
May 26th, 2012
10:29 am
Anybody see pics of Chippers bruise? Heard it was very disgusting.
Chip critics are a bunch of jackoffs
May 26th, 2012
10:41 am
All you puss’ wouldn’t be able to stand, much less play a game if you had Chippers injury.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
10:42 am
Stretch,
“We’re fine, just fine!”
-Fredi Cox
Is anybody beginning to see why the Marlins REALLY @#$%canned him! Bourn is hotter than a $2 gun. So what does Fredi Cox do. Sit him to ‘rest’ him! Took him over a week and he still ain’t got his stroke back. The fat @#$%^&* ain’t got a clue!
Ydoes it hurt when I p
May 26th, 2012
10:47 am
All things even out in the end. This is a sub-par team on paper with a sub-par coach. We are who they think we are…..the team that folded up last year. Its sad too, because assa long time Braves fan who saw hank, Knucksie and fat boy Horner play, Chipper is one of my favorites of all time. Ted T, where are ya when we need ya?
Bobbymahlon
May 26th, 2012
10:48 am
with the range Simmons has you would never bring him up and move him to third.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
May 26th, 2012
10:49 am
Coaches, ‘cept for Roger McCox are fine. It’s the manager that sux!
extremus
May 26th, 2012
10:56 am
I can’t name the exact instances (I’m pretty sure one was against the Cardinals), but earlier in the season I heard the Braves announcers talk like they were almost giddy that the Braves were “catching somebody at the ‘right time’”, meaning when one or more of their stars were out of the lineup due to injuries or whatever. I’m sure they didn’t mean it in any malicious way toward those teams or players, but as I heard those statements I remember pausing and hoping the tables wouldn’t be turned at some point.
What goes around comes around, and now teams are catching the BRAVES at the “right time”.
While the season is by no means “over” (yet), this team’s lack of depth has been exposed big-time. Prado and Bourn are certainly doing their part to generate what offense they can, but neither is really a guy who can put a team on his back and carry them through a situation like this. Freeman’s eyes (and his average and production) haven’t been anywhere near the same since the Colorado series. McCann, who has the flu, was literally wobbly behind the plate last night after having to emergency-replace an injured David Ross in the second inning. Matt Diaz has the flu. Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla are looking more and more like their 2011 selves (which is a BAD thing). Chipper Jones has been out of the lineup for several days and is now going on the DL. Johnny Venters is leaving the ball up and simply isn’t the pitcher we saw last season. Delgado can’t shake the “one bad inning/grand slam” syndrome, and today Minor will be trying to avoid his 6th or 7th straight loss. Heck, even Beachy and Hudson have lost both of their past decisions. To quote the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium tarp, “When It Rains It Pours”.
If the Braves somehow weather this “Perfect Storm” of injuries, illnesses, and just plain losing without falling completely out of the divisional race, they’ll be very fortunate. And who knows, if that happens they might become this year’s St. Louis Cardinals who get healthy and hot at just the right time. But for now at least, a lot of folks (myself included) are beginning to wonder whether this is a bump in the road or if the wheels are falling off yet another Braves season.
andrew
May 26th, 2012
11:07 am
The Braves are the same old Braves! They keep you interested until they start sucking!!! They have too many weak links on this team to win. Jack Wilson is a BUM! Juan Fransico is a BUM! Jason Heyward has never lived up to his hype….therefore he is a BUM! WE NEED TO MAKE SOME TRADES THIS YEAR TO WIN!!!! Come on Wren get off of your wallet and make some moves!!!!!!!!