Chipper Jones: Treasure on field, wealth of material off of it
When Chipper Jones retires, the Braves will lose a legend and we'll lose the rarely scene honest and open athlete. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(This is just one of several articles that will run in Sunday’s AJC special section on Chipper Jones. The section will be a collectors’ item so be sure to pick one up.)
Economics preclude me from following Chipper Jones into retirement. But there’s a side of me that wonders, “Now what?”
This column isn’t about Chipper Jones’ greatness as a baseball player (obvious). Or that he will end his Hall of Fame career with the same franchise that drafted him (reducing Todd Van Poppel to an amusing trivia question). Or that what we are witnessing in his final season seems pure fantasy: A 40-year-old athlete with creaky limbs manufacturing enough highlights to push his team into the playoffs.
Rather, this is about what really has set Chipper Jones apart: genuine, unfiltered, cold-slap honesty.
In the media, we tend to be drawn to the talkers. It’s simple: Our job is to tell stories, and it’s easier to paint pictures when locker-room voices are disseminating something more insightful than, “I hit a fastball.”
“Talkers” shouldn’t have a negative connotation. This isn’t about the turbo-lipped wonders who rarely stray far from a mirror or an agent. It’s not about the pre-packaged star who cares only about image and marketing. They sanitize every remark, orchestrate every public appearance. They’re like pretty yachts sitting in still waters.
Jones has had priorities beyond self-preservation. He says what he actually thinks, and what he thinks most often is correct. He arrived like a lot of young players, “thinking he had hung the moon,” Tom Glavine joked. He won a World Series as a rookie in 1995.
When the Braves didn’t win another title right away, it was Jones who said during the 1998 postseason what many others were thinking: “I think this business-type attitude hasn’t gotten the job done.”
And John Schuerholz probably spit up his coffee.
How many other athletes would have the courage to criticize the organization for not re-signing pitcher John Smoltz? “With all of the gambles that the Braves have taken on players, for a couple of million more dollars, you don’t gamble on John Smoltz …?” Jones said.
This time, it was Frank Wren’s turn to spit up his coffee.
Who else in spring training last year would call out critics for suggesting that Jones was playing only for the money? Quoting: “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.” (I resisted the temptation to drop my recorder and hug him.)
How many athletes, understanding the potential for misinterpretation, would declare that Jason Heyward needed to learn how to play with pain? The words: “[He] needs to realize [that] at 80 percent [he’s] a force. There are a bunch of his teammates that are out there playing with discomfort and not healthy.” (And soon, there was a brush fire.)
What player goes into his final spring training and makes waves? Jones criticizing performance-enhancing drug users, but admitted he thought about taking steroids earlier in his career. He shared a conversation with his father: “He said, ‘I can’t think of anything that would disappoint me more than finding out that you did something like that.’ I said, ‘Well, you don’t have to worry about that.’”
The Braves are losing a legend. The fans are losing a hero. I’m losing a reason to open my laptop.
Glavine said Jones matured after the early years. He developed into a leader.
“He probably rubbed some veteran guys the wrong way at the beginning, but I think we were all that way,” Glavine said. “Some veterans want to wring your neck, but the good players recognize that and [change]. I think it’s a natural progression. Also, mostly everything he said was true.”
Jones’ openness and honesty, he said said, “certainly puts him in a small group. Some guys say they’re accountable, but when they have a bad game suddenly they’re not around [for the media]. For a superstar to be accountable through good or bad is a rarity. It has served him well. You wish more guys would be like that.”
Henry Aaron said recently that Jones “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.”
That’s not the case here. I’m just hoping to have him for a few more stories.
By Jeff Schultz
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188 comments Add your comment
DTL3000
September 28th, 2012
11:22 am
I didn’t get around to seeing one of Chipper’s last games at Turner last time I was in Atlanta but maybe I’ll have the opportunity to catch one at Nationals stadium and maybe even at Camden Yards.
D man
September 28th, 2012
11:25 am
He came into the league winning a world series, hope he goes out the same way. Go BRAVES!!!
Bill
September 28th, 2012
11:25 am
agree Blake
Motocross Survivor
September 28th, 2012
11:26 am
I’m not a baseball fan, but played all the way through high school. You fanboys do amuse. Your heroes can do no wrong. For cripes sake he was just a baseball player. Getting a life might be a fine idea. Carry on.
Alphare
September 28th, 2012
11:27 am
Bill, this is not about first stone.
If my son cheated on his wife and had an illegitimate child as a result, I would kick his butt and ask him to get out of my face.
But I guess everybody has a different moral standard.
Jamaaliver
September 28th, 2012
11:28 am
Man I hope he’s an assistant coach, scout, advisor for the old ball team in the coming years.
gtkenz
September 28th, 2012
11:28 am
Do hero’s cheat on their wife and have illicit children? Maybe your hero’s do Mr. Schultz. Chipper is a great baseball player that has been paid a ton of money to entertain baseball fans, nothing more nothing less. Just a baseball player.
Maria
September 28th, 2012
11:32 am
Jeff-Thanks for the article-it was great.
Chipper-I can’t believe it has come down to a few games. It seems like yesterday you were up for the first time. Congrats on a great career and being a lifetime Brave!
Uncle billy-you are a true a** hole.
J Davis
September 28th, 2012
11:32 am
Really, Hero? What lives has he saved? Police, Fireman’s are hero’s.
In the moral department not much of a hero. How many more skeleton’s are out there. Maybe that is why he is getting a divorce again. More children made in wedlock???? How many baby mama’s does Chipper really have???
jj
September 28th, 2012
11:34 am
How many do you have J Davis?
DP
September 28th, 2012
11:38 am
Well done Jeff.
Uncle Billy, let’s look at how Chipper and Tiger handled their failures as husbands. Chipper has been forthright about it, even said recently unprompted recently that he had failed twice as a husband and wouldn’t marry again. Tiger disappeared, then appeared at an incredibly contrived press conference with an audience of friends/lackeys/enablers/sycophants in which he never really said what he did but said he would change. I don’t think he’s even acknowledged the issue since and he’s pretty much the same guy after that he was before, often ill behaved on the golf course and guarded off it with the press, speaking in cliches and making sure he never faces a tough question.
Despite his personal failings, Chipper is a stand up guy. Tiger is a thin skinned bully.
Maria
September 28th, 2012
11:38 am
Why don’t you all get off of chipper’s private life. He stepped up. I have never heard one complaint fom the parties involved-have you? I don’t think so. If you don’t like him-fine. I think the parties involved have moved on-why don’t you haters do the same?
GB's Hamburgers
September 28th, 2012
11:39 am
I was a Milwaukee Braves fan before they moved here. Chipper is in the group of Matthews, Aaron, Carty, Alou .. those guys. Probably make a good manager.
Maria
September 28th, 2012
11:40 am
J.davis-I believe this is a sports blog-not a morals blog.
It must be good to be you.
oldfart
September 28th, 2012
11:42 am
I detect a lot of jealousy from people who have never had ladies, painted or otherwise, throwing themselves at their um… feet. I know I’m one of them but I don’t hold it against a guy for being a normal guy or any off field antics that doesn’t affect their performance on the field. Anonymous blog comments always jump on human frailties and focus on the chaff rather than the wheat.
He has had a stellar career that has almost lived up to the minor league hype he generated. That is high praise considering the fact that the only player I have seen match their minor league hype over the long term was Hank Aaron. Even Hank stayed too long though and Chipper is doing it right by leaving a little on the table. Of course I also remember when Hank had to hold out of spring training to get a $100,000 contract.
RunninWithTheDawgs
September 28th, 2012
11:42 am
Anybody that says Chipper is the greatest Brave ever probably hasn’t been around long enough to remember Hank Aaron. Milo Hamilton had it down — “There’s a drive ! It’s way back ! This ball is outta here !” Yep…. Chipper has been one of the best no doubt, but to call him THE best is a pretty tall order. Another name that comes to mind is Warren Spahn and on and on………….
Notafan
September 28th, 2012
11:42 am
Larry’s hero status is astonishing. Good baseball player – maybe, but he cheated on his wife with a Hooter girl and got her pregnant. Seriously.
DP
September 28th, 2012
11:42 am
And by the way, can you idiots who write things like “hero’s and “skeleton’s” under however multiple aliases please learn some basic grammar, spelling and punctuation. If you’re going to spend your time posting on your mom’s computer from your mom’s basement one would think you’d at least pretend to be literate.
tjhook
September 28th, 2012
11:43 am
I will preface my blog by saying I am a military members with two tours to Iraq. I consider Chipper Jones a hero to the fans of baseball because he showed commitment on the field and to the organization. He switched positions at the team’s request, took a reduction in pay to make the payroll more agreeable to signing others. Was openly appreciative of his teammates and bosses but not a yes man. Visitors and casual baseball fans would say this about Chipper: good hitter, loyal to his team. Being loyal is a HEROIC term. He failed as a husband but not as a baseball superstar.
Atlanta fans, continue to say thank you to the man- I will.
tjhook
September 28th, 2012
11:44 am
military member *
JSS
September 28th, 2012
11:45 am
Nobody expects them to be “perfect.” They expect them not to be hypocrites…
D man
September 28th, 2012
11:45 am
Dreaming
It’s game 7 of the world series in Atlanta. The Braves trail the Rangers 3 to 2 in the 9th with two outs. Bourne reached base earlier on a walk. Up to the plate steps Chipper Jones the legend who will take possibly his final major league at bat. Years of experience flowing through his head. What pitch will he throw? Will he challenge me? Chipper steps into the box with that ussual swagger. The first pitch is taken fast ball on the outside corner. The fans on the edge of their seats look on with worried hope. The second pitch just off the plate ball 1. The third pitch seems in slow motion to the legend as he unleashes that smooth swing. A high slider is struck true as the ball heads deep toward the heavens. The crowd gasps as they hope for the possible unbelievable outcome. The center fielder turns and heads back toward the wall as if he has a bead on the ball. Chipper starts his final trot toward retirement. The ball seems to stay I the air forever as fans scream. The fielder has no more field to run on as he looks up and watches the most unprobable outcome ever. It’s gone and so is a legend. Larry (Chipper) Jones…
mike
September 28th, 2012
11:49 am
A hero? What do you call the soldier who gives his limbs or his life for our country? And does so without the accolades bestowed on an athlete? “HE” won a world series? I bet there are 24 other guys who might have had a hand in that. Although I think I do remember that series. Jones pitched, then ran to 3B to field the ball and then threw to himself at 1B. The guy really is amazing. When I was a kid I thought professional athletes were heroes. Then at about 16 I realized they are just guys like me who happen to play ball better than me and I stopped my worship of them. I see alot of people haven’t outgrown their celebrity worship.
Habersham Dawg
September 28th, 2012
11:51 am
When you fail those you love, how do you handle it. Do you blame them or yourself? I’ve never seen on TV nor have I read anywhere where Chipper blamed anyone other than himself for his failures. He does not look at his sons (any of them) as failures. He recognized his selfish actions as failures, but not the son caused by one, no. They are his sons.
Men fail. Men have feet of clay. Men also stand back up and carry on and try to do so with dignity. Chipper did these things. Is he a hero? Maybe not, but is he a damn fine man? I think so.
Alphare
September 28th, 2012
11:53 am
To be honest with all those who care, I don’t treat ball players or movie stars as heroes. I never worship them either, no matter how big their names are.
Unless they go out of their way to help others, or make a difference in others’ lives.
gtkenz
September 28th, 2012
11:58 am
Maria, I don’t know Chipper personally and doubt I ever will. However, the point I and so many others are trying to make is directed towards the writer of this article not Chipper. His personal failings are well documented. Journalists are paid to be objective, and clearly Mr. Schultz it distorting the facts and interjecting his own personal beliefs. Chipper Jones is neither honest nor a hero, that is a fact. Furthermore, you can bet your last dime that Chipper will sign another contract in 2013 with an AL team. That boy spends money as fast he makes it and with another divorce on the horizon, he’ll be broke before he’s 50. So HERO? I say not. Great Baseball Player? I say yes. HOFamer, second best switch hitter ever, top 25 defensive 3rd sacker, team leader, top 5 Brave of all-time, and world champion. That’s it. Schultz would have been better served if he had lauded Chipper as a baseball hero and great player to interview.
Marie
September 28th, 2012
11:58 am
Ok – all of you hypocrites – stop watching sports, spot listening to your favorite bands,
spot watching TV/movies with your favorite actors.
They are all more famous than you, they get paid more than you, people worship them.
How stupid to equate a soldier or police officer or fire fighter with an athlete (or actor or musician), Anyone with even the intelligence level of most of you people know THEY ARE THE HEROS.
We would not be here without them.
This is a SPORTS BLOG! We are talking sports! It’s just sports.
Chill out.
Alphare
September 28th, 2012
12:01 pm
Only once I asked a Pro player to sign an autograph for me. But my wife threw it away the next day. I guess we found each other for a reason.
who'd a thunk it
September 28th, 2012
12:02 pm
Man. Went to 1 Braves game this year when I got a free ticket and I didn’t realize I was watching Jesus himself playing. Wish I had paid more attention.
bulldogbubba
September 28th, 2012
12:02 pm
With writing of this article the question now is – Who will become the voice of this team? Who will be the leader?What will Frank Wren do to replace a “legend”? Will we go out and get a 3rd baseman to replace him.We haven’t got there yet but next year may be the start of some down years if we try to rebuild. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!
Dixie Chick
September 28th, 2012
12:03 pm
Although there have been some deeply disappointing times in Chipper’s personal life (oh, how I wish he’d never walked into a Hooter’s!), you have to hand it to him–no one has ever seriously doubted the integrity of his baseball life. That that is rare enough these days in a superstar as to be noteworthy is sad. Hat-tip to you, Chipper, for playing the game the way it ought to be played. We’ll miss you.
JB
September 28th, 2012
12:04 pm
Did i just really shed a tear?
Jaynie
September 28th, 2012
12:08 pm
Chipper’s a great ball player, but not a hero in my book. He certainly deserves accolades for his ball playing, but I don’t think a man who cheated on his wife and fathered an illegitmate child is a hero.
who'd a thunk it
September 28th, 2012
12:10 pm
Marie, it sounds like YOU need to chill. The point many people are making is that Schultz makes Jones sound like the best thing that ever happened to baseball and he has put him on a pedestal. You can see on this blog how people worship athletes and forgive them the same indiscretions that they would criticize and judge anyone else about. Some of us just don’t care about athletes but we are allowed to express our opinions even if you don’t agree with them. We don’t begrudge the money. We don’t begrudge the attention, we just think it is overkill.
HaHa
September 28th, 2012
12:13 pm
Chipper had a sordid affair while married to his first wife. He must be a good ole GOPer.
Jim
September 28th, 2012
12:13 pm
I met Chipper a few years ago in a freaky encounter. We talked for nearly two hours about nothing (cutting grass, doing yard work, and the best places to eat), Not a single time did he try the “you know who I am”. He is a true person, and a good man. I will miss him as a player and, for the briefest of moments a frendly conversation. Good luck Chipper in what ever the future holds for you.
tgraa
September 28th, 2012
12:15 pm
Chipper was lots of fun to watch, I have really enjoyed his career. I too think that Hero is a term that I use for people like my Dad who has always been there for me. I never have expected any athlete to be a perfect person but I have never set one on a pedestal. I do hope that his children look up to him as a hero, I know that is how I look up to my dad.
Hillbilly D
September 28th, 2012
12:18 pm
No doubt Chipper has put up some big numbers and is headed for the Hall of Fame, and deservedly so. It always did rub me the wrong way, though, that he said things in the paper that should’ve been confined to the clubhouse (see Heyward comments). Teammates should keep it in house and out of the paper, in my opinion. Sports writers love that, for obvious reasons, but some of us don’t.
JSS
September 28th, 2012
12:26 pm
@ Hillbilly D…
Nobody ever had the guts to say it to him (hey Chipper, time to try something different in your conditioning program) when he was spending 2004-2009 on the DL like tips on a booth…
Of course he can call Heyward out, he’s Chipper Jones! (Sound from Olympus)
YOUDONTGETIT
September 28th, 2012
12:31 pm
SPORTS HERO PEOPLE!!!!!!! THERE WAS NOTHING SAID ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE WAY HE PLAYED THE GAME AND WAS A SPORTS FIGURE THAT PEOPLE COULD LOOK TO TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS ON THE FIELD OR IN THE CLUB HOUSE!!!!!!
dean
September 28th, 2012
12:31 pm
Hillbilly,
Sometimes the public words are necessary because the private talk didn’t work.
Bill
September 28th, 2012
12:32 pm
Alphare..1st I’d hate to be your son. 2nd.. Chipper has never failed to support the lady are any of his 4 boys who he loves and spends time with often when not playing. 3rd he has said he screwed up many time and wish he could amend some of his wrongs. 4th who are we to judge.
Chippers is a believe..so you don’t have to worry about him. You need to worry about your own soul.
john
September 28th, 2012
12:32 pm
Obviously Mr. Schultz has never lost a loved one in war, or he wouldn’t throw around the term “hero” so loosely. While I love baseball and admire what Chipper has brought to the game, how about saving the word hero for those who really deserve it.
jeffrey d
September 28th, 2012
12:32 pm
Very well written, thank you, Jeff.
It’s goodbye for now but not goodbye forever. I think I remember Chipper saying after spending some time with his family he’d come back in some capacity. If I remember correctly, he said he’d start out like Glavine – announcing some home games for FoxSS – and maybe get into coaching.
That said, it sure is sad losing Chipper as a player.
dean
September 28th, 2012
12:33 pm
Nice. The 3 initial barbiturate is in the room.
dean
September 28th, 2012
12:34 pm
HaHa,
Bill Clinton wasn’t a GOP’er
Sid
September 28th, 2012
12:35 pm
the word “HERO” is surely tossed around a lot these days. A Fireman, Soldier, Policeman are deserving of this word.
jeffrey d
September 28th, 2012
12:36 pm
Man, Chipper wasn’t kidding about that “mother’s basement” comment. I’m glad he knows that most of us really appreciate all he’s done for this city and franchise, even though the loud and perfect minority focuses on a mistake he made.
Or some goobers here arguing about semantics, as if calling Chipper a “hero” means we’re building altars for him while simultaneously flipping off servicemen.
samuel
September 28th, 2012
12:37 pm
Jones’ transgressions are well-documented. Not judging, because none of us is perfect. The point is that he shouldn’t be called a “hero” with the above mentioned transgressions on his resume. He hit a baseball well and that’s it. Baseball was his chosen profession and he was successful and was rewarded accordingly. And to Chuck who said Jones and Tiger never hurt anyone. I want some of what you’re smoking. Hurting someone is not just physical.
BeachBum
September 28th, 2012
12:37 pm
Chipper Jones is an excellent baseball player, and is sure to enter the Hall of Fame one day. But, I think that calling him a “hero” is beyond the accolades due. Just my opinion. He has done nothing heroic. Playing professional sports is not heroic, it is a job, and he has excelled at it. The word hero is bantered around too easily these days.