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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
188 comments Add your comment
Buckeye
September 28th, 2012
9:49 am
First
Joe Falcon
September 28th, 2012
9:49 am
Well said, Jeffro!
Steve
September 28th, 2012
9:54 am
Great article! I will never understand or get the “fans” out there who bash Chipper. One of the all-time greats for sure!
Uncle Billy
September 28th, 2012
9:55 am
And father of an illegitimate child. You kept after Tiger for adultery why not Chipper? The are both will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Will you? No!
Victor
September 28th, 2012
9:57 am
I am not an English speaking native, but I am a died hard braves fan since 1978 and by far this is your best ever article. Thanks
Supersize that order, mutt
September 28th, 2012
9:58 am
I heard Chipper was Jewish. FIRE COACH PAUL JOHNSON (not Jewish)!!!
Mitch Kumstein
September 28th, 2012
9:59 am
The true testament to Chippers greatness is in the way other teams are and have honored him during his last visit to their ballparks. Even the stinking Mets showed great class in the way they handled his last trip through town.
I am a lifelong Braves fan (since ‘66) and he is by far my favorite Brave
Steve
September 28th, 2012
9:59 am
Uncle Billy I guess you are one of those in the basement on your mommys computer. Get a life.
GT Letterwinner
September 28th, 2012
10:00 am
Chipper has spoken his mind from day one. Sometimes with arrogance sometimes as a prophet but his Hall of Fame numbers certainly give him the room to speak. He has been a joy to watch.
dean
September 28th, 2012
10:05 am
Yep. It didn’t take long. 3rd post was the charm. You said it right, Steve.
Anyway, it’s going to be fun when Chipper comes back to the Braves in whatever capacity it will be. Ought to be some great quotes coming down the pike.
dean
September 28th, 2012
10:06 am
Whoops…..should have said “4th post”…..Uncle Billy’s.
Ostrich Racer
September 28th, 2012
10:09 am
Great piece, Jeff. Here’s a question I’ve always wondered about, but never seen answered: Was there ever any consideration to making him, officially, team captain?
Ekim56
September 28th, 2012
10:14 am
@Uncle Billy: Yes, he did. Yes, he admitted it and said he’s not proud of it. So what’s your point? Do you think that any conversation about Chipper Jones should mention that part of his life? I personally con’t care about his non-professional life. Or Tiger’s. (Actually in Tiger’s case, I don’t care about his professional life either.)
Tami
September 28th, 2012
10:15 am
LOVE your article, Jeff! This Braves team will be minus just ONE next season (albeit a MAJOR subtraction). When Beach gets back and he and Meds are going head-to-head in battle challenging each other on a Cy Young-award season, then you’ll have something to write about again. But…not sure you’re going to find a high-quality player with great, quotable antidotes to write about again for a long, long while — IF ever again. Chipper’s truly one of a kind!
Dizzle D
September 28th, 2012
10:21 am
@Uncle Billy…since you probably DO sit in your mom’s basement eating pizza rolls and trolling on everyone, I guess you never have known anything about life in general…by the way, Chipper takes care of his son and his mother as well as his other children. Get a life, if you had one you’d already know the pressures of being young and famous…
Steve
September 28th, 2012
10:22 am
“HUH??????” Could never get a Hooters waitress. Let alone any woman.
Jeff Schultz
September 28th, 2012
10:27 am
Huh??? — Keep it up. Give me a reason to ban you. … Already deleted a few comments.
KornDawg
September 28th, 2012
10:31 am
Don’t know what ya got ’til it’s gone, right? I’ve found I appreciate Chipper a lot more this season, I guess because I know it’s his last. I made it a point to get to his bobblehead game, and what a game it was! I’m glad my daughter got to see him, and I’m really glad that I got to see his entire career as a Brave. He’s definitely the greatest ATALANTA Brave, at least in my book he is. Thanks Chipper!
SD Braves Fan
September 28th, 2012
10:44 am
Thanks for all of the memories Chipper. A true class act. You will be sorely missed.
old man
September 28th, 2012
10:52 am
At the end of the season, MLB should retire “Crazy Train” so that it can never be used as anyone else’s walkup song ever again.
john jarrard
September 28th, 2012
10:54 am
Great article. Chipper will be greatly missed. He’s been one hellva ball player and leader for the Braves. Thank you Chipper for being who you are and not backing away from the truth,. Hope to see you in some leadership position with the Braves in the future. Have a great retirement! Long time Braves fan, john.
fuzzybee
September 28th, 2012
10:55 am
Chipper is a great ballplayer, a real personality, and a professional. He is not a role model and he is certainly NOT A HERO. I reserve that term for persons that have achieved something truly unique, selfless, and courageous. There aren’t many ballplayers that make the cut but Jackie Robinson comes to mind.
Alphare
September 28th, 2012
10:55 am
Jeff,
“the rarely scene honest and open athlete”.
I am not sure what you mean by honest. Chipper Jones is a hall of famer, a decent guy. But honest? I am not sure his former wife would agree with you.
Fred
September 28th, 2012
10:58 am
I’ve never been a huge Chipper fan but having said that, I recognize that he has been a major, major player for the Braves over the years. When friends would complain about his injuries, I would tell them that Chipper at 70%-80% is better than 95% of the players out there! I would love to see him as batting coach. Best wishes Chipper!
old man
September 28th, 2012
10:59 am
@ Alphare – congrats for your consistency. We can always count on you to be the turd in the punchbowl.
bluspot
September 28th, 2012
10:59 am
A very good player and represented the Braves well,but not a saint and not real sure he embraced Atlanta totally since he never lived here. Best wishes to him
Big Pappi
September 28th, 2012
10:59 am
Damn Good Brave. One of the best players of his era………but not the brightest bulb. His demeanor always rubbed me the wrong way.
Good Grief Charlie Brown
September 28th, 2012
10:59 am
EXCELLENT article Jeff…keep up the good work!
Chipper, we’ll see you in 5 years…at Cooperstown.
1eyedJack
September 28th, 2012
10:59 am
Not all of us can be a hero. Somebody has to stand on the curb and wave as they go by. I’m waving for YOU Chipper.
Bill
September 28th, 2012
11:00 am
Great job Jeff.
Yes, Chipper is a Legend..20 years he has been like family watching him play. I hope one day to see him back in dugout as mgr. God’s speed to a great player and person.
juice sourcer
September 28th, 2012
11:02 am
I live in Hilton Head and from Charleston and have been a huge sports fan forever, Been following baseball and the Braves for 30 years. This is a great article and says exactly what I feel. What a class act Chipper is and I love the fact that he says what he feels and is almost always right. I am in business and there are times everyday I want to say whats on my mind and cant because of the corporate culture….who will this upset, how will this be taken, etc. The braves will never be the same with Chipper gone.
1eyedJack
September 28th, 2012
11:04 am
Enter your comments here
Jason
September 28th, 2012
11:04 am
Jeff, I really enjoyed this column. I think it hasn’t really settled in that number 10 isn’t going to be standing at third base next season. I loved watching Chipper play the game – especially in person. He plays the game with an effortlessness that suggests his DNA is shot through with baseball. He’s just and old-school ball-player.
I wish it didn’t have to be said, but I don’t understand the people who wake up in the morning and want to destroy, or make fun, or criticize what other people create, be it a well-written column, or the long career of a pro ballplayer. It’s bad enough that you feel that way. Where I take umbrage is when certain commenters feel compelled to share with the world the level of vitriol and spite they have to keep hidden the rest of the day. If you’re going to criticize or tear people dow in this forum, at least put your first and last name so we know who to pray for.
markie mark
September 28th, 2012
11:05 am
For you Chipper critics….talk to me about, oh say, next June or July, when his bat is not in the lineup, even with creaky old knees…..
Poppi
September 28th, 2012
11:05 am
I had the pleasure of seeing Chipper, along with Lopez and Klesko come through Richmond. You just knew he was a hall of famer back in Triple AAA. Congrats Chipper on a stellar career and with staying your whole career with the Braves organization. In todays instagram society, it is a rare example of patience and a methodical work ethic paying off big time with a hall of fame career. Very fun to watch over the last 20 years. Thanks!
tj
September 28th, 2012
11:06 am
Hero, I think not. Baseball legend, I think yes. It takes a lot more than playing a ball game to be elevated to hero status in my book.
Sonny Clusters
September 28th, 2012
11:07 am
Well, we know he’s special. Sure, we said his bobblehead would get hurt bobbling and have to go on the DL, and we said there was something more to the sore toes than sore toes, but we also know he is and has been the best hitter to come through these parts, pardner. We said “pardner” because he and his dad, too, have become Texas, nee, Florida cowboys as evidenced by the Stetson hats and cowboy boots and a chew of tobacco and tattoos that signify something only to the deer hunters among us. We say send Chipper off with all the fanfare and hope that he ends his career with a newly acquired ring on his finger. Clusters don’t let ballplayers be our heroes but we can admire good athletic performance and we can see when somebody is better at his craft than most. Still, we all are flawed and it would depend on what your definition of “is” is as to whether we think the Braves have been entirely truthful with the fans as to championship baseball and star-quality players. There’s been some through here but precious few. We will miss Chipper, too, and we will always remember his Chipper’s Diary and some of those interviews about hammock bones and things that made him be Chipper Jones, baseball player. We hope he gets 5 hits tonight and writes a new Magna Carta.
b
September 28th, 2012
11:08 am
Thing about Chipper is that he is ALL MAN and it’s easy to respect him.
Josh Smith for 3
September 28th, 2012
11:08 am
He’s been in Atlanta since I started going to games at 6 years old. It’s gonna be weird not watching Chipper from here on out but he’s a player that I’ll be telling my kids about when I grow old. Thanks for the memories Chip and here’s to a few more before you leave.
BigDawg
September 28th, 2012
11:09 am
Honesty? That’s not his first wife said about his trips to Hooters!
Wayne stuck in AL
September 28th, 2012
11:11 am
I, too, will miss the mumbled interviews after each Braves’ post-season elimination.
JSS
September 28th, 2012
11:11 am
Well, well well… Larry Wayne Jones kicks back… Oh, he pulled an oblique doing it… We could never kiss your behind, it was on the DL…
I won’t get into his “honesty.” He’s got a couple of lawyers to seal that little statement in its proper perspective as other have pointed. I saw his first at-bat in Macon, and I was tempted to go to Pittsburgh to see you last and turn my back on him one final time!
Hail him as a hitter, hail him for his seasons as a Braves employee, then let him go about his life…
Chuck
September 28th, 2012
11:13 am
All you mama’s basement sniveling coward commenters that expect athletes like Chipper and Tiger to be perfect human beings are doomed to remain in that basement your whole life. For the most part, both have been sterling citizens that have never hurt anyone or broken any laws and given much to others.
Dr. Phil
September 28th, 2012
11:15 am
It is nice to see Chipper showing some emotion toward his fans. The respect that fans in other cities have shown Chipper is equally moving and a credit to baseball. He is definitely the best hitter of his era. He has been a major factor in the Braves’ success over the past 20 years. I hope that he does have another ring at the end of this season.
BUSTERBrave
September 28th, 2012
11:16 am
Good piece Jeff,as a fan since 1966,Chipper has become the all-time favorite player for the ATLANTA Braves, all due respect to Hank Aaron,who spent a great deal of his career as a Milwaukee Brave,but still beloved and respected for what he did for the Atlanta Braves. For the lowclass haters,you need to do your medication everyday…….
Bill
September 28th, 2012
11:17 am
stfu about Hooters etc…he who is without sin throw the first stone. I’ll bet everyone out there has something they don’t wont known. Does it make you feel good to cut down others?
Alphare
September 28th, 2012
11:17 am
old man,
I didn’t really want get into that either. But I cannot help since Jeff mentioned honest.
Chipper is the greatest Braves hitter since Aaron. He has my greatest respect. My personal hero he is not in some area.
Blake
September 28th, 2012
11:18 am
I love Chipper as much as anyone but let me put It In perspective…..For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? I HOPE CHIPPER JONES HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS….
RunninWithTheDawgs
September 28th, 2012
11:20 am
Chipper will surly be missed in the lineup, but I’ve got a feeling that after a long needed vacation he’ll be back with the Braves in some capacity. He may even be GM one day.
Mr. Shultz — I’m sure if they ever have a sportswriters hall of fame you’ll be voted in.
GO BRAVOS
JP
September 28th, 2012
11:20 am
I’m really glad Chipper’s swan song will be one in which he was relatively healthy and provided a lot of memorable moments that helped the Braves get to the postseason. He is the greatest Brave of all time, and his numbers as a switch hitter make him a sure-fire Hall of Famer. However, I can’t help but chuckle at the outrage over someone suggesting he’s still playing for money. I was at a celebrity golf tournament two or three years ago, and a certain former Braves manager actually said Chipper had decided to retire midway through the season back in either 2009 or 2010, but that his accountant talked him out of it. This obviously wasn’t a joke either, there was a lot of detail in the story about which particular road trip they were on when he made the decision, how he was going to announce it when they got home, etc. And I’m guessing his accountant, as his accountant, wasn’t saying to him “But Chipper, you love the game too much to retire now!”
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.
Tumbledown
September 28th, 2012
12:45 pm
The article mentions Chipper being a hero to his fans in the sports’ sense, not in the saving lives and fighting for our country sense (which certainly deserves the highest praise). Chipper is far from perfect. No doubt, the posters critical of Chipper and this article are far from perfect. Can we just celebrate the great baseball career of Chipper Jones? He has acknowledged his failings, and he has done so before the public. Have all of us done the same in our private worlds?
wake up HaHa
September 28th, 2012
12:46 pm
The present Pres has a 19 year old son and he wasn’t a GOP’er haha. Thats a fact.
jeffrey d
September 28th, 2012
12:47 pm
What Jeff said:
“Chipper Jones has been great for the Braves and the city of Atlanta.”
What the hairsplitters read:
“Chipper Jones is a god and I hate every single person in the military.”
jeffrey d
September 28th, 2012
12:49 pm
What some idiots read:
“An article about Chipper Jones?? This is a great opportunity to talk about bipartison politics!”
JSS
September 28th, 2012
12:50 pm
dean
September 28th, 2012
12:33 pm
“Nice. The 3 initial barbiturate is in the room.”
Ha ha, are you under the influence of “Chippers?”
Marie
September 28th, 2012
12:51 pm
YOUDONTGETIT – Amen!
Who’d a thunk it – Chipper is one of the great bb players ever-stats back that up.
What’s wrong with forgiveness, especially the way he handled his issues (as opposed to
Tiger)? And really, it’s not up to us to forgive or not forgive. Like the ballplayer or
don’t like him. No need for all the prefect people to spout their holiness.
GO BRAVES!
Oats Willey
September 28th, 2012
12:52 pm
Yeah before you all bust a nut in your pants, just remember some of his off field actions were questionable. It doesn’t take away from his on field greatness. Just know he is a baseball player, not a hero.
Marie
September 28th, 2012
12:52 pm
Jeffery d – Seriously!
Oats Willey
September 28th, 2012
12:53 pm
And vote for me for president….I’ll give you free pizza.
Braves Boi
September 28th, 2012
12:54 pm
BS. He’s no hero, he’s a baseball player. And, he’s a baseball player who has children with who knows how many women who are not his wife. Good at playing baseball? Sure. Good at being a man? Hell no!
Steve
September 28th, 2012
12:55 pm
He’s a great athlete, but I wouldn’t call anyone who plays a game a hero.
David
September 28th, 2012
12:56 pm
What Jeff wrote:
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.
He is not a hero he swings a wooden bat for a living, which he did very well. I still believed he used PEDs in the 90’s and early 2000’s. I’m sure he was not the only Brave who did. Still he only won 1 title. It would have been interesting if Cox got fired in ‘96, how many more titles they would have won with a better manager.
He second wife is also divorcing him, the AJC has not said anything since it was reported that divorce papers were filed.
Shelfish Chipper need 2 retrie now!
September 28th, 2012
12:58 pm
Mann some of U are dellusinal over Chiper. He was not that realy N E good. He should of retried a cuple of years a go.
Stinger2
September 28th, 2012
12:59 pm
Chipper Jones record speaks for itself. All have a right to express their ranking of
him in the Braves hierarchy. I prefer to say he was one of the best who gave it all in spite of many injuries. I appreciate Sonny Clusters post on this blog earlier today.
Bill
September 28th, 2012
1:00 pm
David they are trying to work things out..is that a crime?
Steve
September 28th, 2012
1:00 pm
I have been a die-hard Braves fan forever. The one constant these past 20 years has been Chipper Jones and he will be missed. My kids grew up in this era and he has been their hero. Until this past week, it had not set in that after they win the World Series, Chipper will no longer be putting on that Braves uniform. No matter what happens in the playoffs, I will never forget the celebration on Tuesday night after the walk-off home run. That home run was for Chipper. Good Luck Chipper! You will be missed. Go Braves!
Tucker
September 28th, 2012
1:01 pm
Chipper is the greatest ballplayer to practice his craft for an entire career in the City of Atlanta. Whatever persons may think about what he did outside baseball, they can never accuse him of being a pretender. He has always been as real as it gets. Enjoy the moment.
OHYEASH
September 28th, 2012
1:06 pm
please what makes him a legend? what makes him honest open athlete? PLEASE because he’s white?
Rollin on 23\"
September 28th, 2012
1:11 pm
If Chipper were black, would he receive this much love after fathering an illegitimate child?
Tumbledown
September 28th, 2012
1:13 pm
Here is a suggestion to all those people who are against celebrating Chipper’s career: Do something else. Turn your attention to something you feel is more important. Go out and support the local fire and police station. Spend time with your kids. Don’t waste precious time blasting away on a blog at people who might like to celebrate his baseball career.
Rollin on 23\\\"
September 28th, 2012
1:15 pm
We\’re not against celebrating his career…We are just pointing out he is not a super hero.
Reading comprehension must be a struggle for you.
Richard Gray
September 28th, 2012
1:16 pm
Chipper Jones was on the of finest ball player to ever wear ab Atlanta Braves jersey.He played through a lot of pain. He respected his game and teammates enough to put himself on the bench when he knew he wouldn’t perform at the level he knew he could. He was the hero of more games than can be counted from memory. Chip is my favorite ballplayer to ever suit up. I for one will miss seeing him in the batters’ box. He was magic. If Chipper reads through this blog, I hope he notes that at least one fan was so grateful to watch him play. Thank you Mr. Jones. Maybe we’ll share a deer camp one day! All the best to your and you’re future, -Richard Gray Holt, Jr.
BB
September 28th, 2012
1:17 pm
For all of those “haters”….maybe you’ll realize what the ATL had when he’s hung up the cleats.
Tumbledown
September 28th, 2012
1:17 pm
Thanks for your insult. Bless you, Rollin!
Bat Masterson
September 28th, 2012
1:18 pm
Nice column, Shultz. I really enjoyed reading it.
And the commentary, well it’s first drawer
Good grief
jeffrey d
September 28th, 2012
1:18 pm
We\’re not against celebrating his career…We are just pointing out he is not a super hero.
Reading comprehension must be a struggle for you
Nobody said “super hero”
blazerdawg
September 28th, 2012
1:18 pm
My young son’s favorite ballplayer – thanks for the effort and success Chipper.
Get that ring this last month!
Tumbledown
September 28th, 2012
1:19 pm
If Chipper were black, would he receive this much love after fathering an illegitimate child?
Is this really a comment I can construe as someone who wants to celebrate anything about Chipper?
Really?
September 28th, 2012
1:21 pm
Nice article schultzie. For a moment there I thought it was going to be about Hooter’s waitresses.
Brock
September 28th, 2012
1:22 pm
Here is a list of Sports Heroes. I would guess there are some that disagree with these since the list includes drunks, womanizers, HIV positive, lesbians, blacks and what have you. But if you can differentiate Sport Heros with heroes from the military,police, firefighters etc then you might understand what Jeff was writing about.
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/heroes.html
Tumbledown
September 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
Brock – Being partial to tennis, I would have included Arthur Ashe on that list. While not a perfect human (nobody is), he was a hero in a sports sense as well as much more.
konervatude
September 28th, 2012
1:29 pm
I is fur republikins evens tho I ams on every type of welfare offered. i likes to helps ric foks cuz i will be welfy whens i decid whut i want to do to mak munee. rollllllll tiiiiiiide
dean
September 28th, 2012
1:30 pm
Dang it, JSS. And didn’t I just say last week that I don’t get into the name-calling game? You flushed me out. For certain, though, your deductive skills are working fine!
I understand why you adhere to the Frank Zappa school of cynicism. I did too. I just got tired of being a downer. I hope for the best while hoping the worst (versus expecting the worst) doesn’t happen. Yes, I know that’s tough for ATL sports fans to do. The alternative is perpetual skepticism.
Bootleg
September 28th, 2012
1:30 pm
Look, we all agree that calling a man playing a boys game a hero is nuts; however, for the many young baseball fans that grew up watching him, they did/dont distinguish. He has been a great player and sure fire hall of famer, so lets leave it at that. If I was running a Major League Baseball franchise I would be recruiting him to be my hitting coach. Bad legs but that swing is dtill as sweet as it gets !!
HUH?????
September 28th, 2012
1:37 pm
“Keep it up. Give me a reason to ban you. … Already deleted a few comments.”
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
HaHa
September 28th, 2012
1:42 pm
I am a baseball fan, not a Braves fan. Lawrence has been a better than average player. He is no where near the best the Braves have ever had.
As a man, he is a cheating redneck and nothing to be proud of.
BabsinAtl
September 28th, 2012
1:42 pm
People, this is a sports blog. If you want to discuss politics or race bait, please find another forum to do so. This article does not equate Chipper to a “hero” in the real sense of the word. He is simply a baseball player that spent an entire career in Atlanta with the Braves. His stats and records as a baseball player will certainly put him in the HOF. His shortcomings as a man, husband or father are just that … his and whatever happened is between his family and his God. True fans will recognize his contributions to the city of Atlanta, to baseball, his teammates and to the fans. The rest of you …. please find something constructive to do with your time.
HUH?????
September 28th, 2012
1:47 pm
“If you want to discuss politics or race bait, please find another forum to do so.”
No one is race baiting.
BabsinAtl
September 28th, 2012
1:55 pm
Really? Did you miss this? Tumbledown
September 28th, 2012
1:19 pm
If Chipper were black, would he receive this much love after fathering an illegitimate child?
Ken Stallings
September 28th, 2012
1:55 pm
For me, the fact he’s done it (produced a Hall of Fame career) without PED’s while in the middle of the PED era, is the single most impressive thing, and why I respect him so much. If medical science could give the man a new set of knees, I am convinced he could play at a highly productive level for another five years and blow up the record book.
BabsinAtl
September 28th, 2012
1:56 pm
Or these? OHYEASH
September 28th, 2012
1:06 pm
please what makes him a legend? what makes him honest open athlete? PLEASE because he’s white?
LinkReport this comment.Rollin on 23\”
September 28th, 2012
1:11 pm
If Chipper were black, would he receive this much love after fathering an illegitimate child?
Ken Stallings
September 28th, 2012
2:00 pm
A few others have offered the same comment, but I want to add my own since I have also served several tours of duty in combat. A hero can earn the title in different ways. Chipper Jones is certainly not a battlefield hero. But, in terms of a baseball career, he certainly is one.
I am more than confident that Chipper Jones very much understands the difference. One only wishes a few dense-headed bloggers here could!
GOTT GAMBINO
September 28th, 2012
2:01 pm
Old Chippy is was over-rated… It never ceases to amaze me when he would at times stub his toe and then cry the blues so he could play left bench.. Good Riddance!!! Bring back Dale Murphy and Chuck Tanner.. Wake the dead lol
Sonny Clusters
September 28th, 2012
2:02 pm
Well, many posts later our little buddy shows up. We can’t make a post without some comment from him. We guess his approval is supposed to be better than the dismissive comments we’re accustomed to. In any case, stalking is stalking and like our ol’ buddy William F. Buckley, Jr. used to say, “We would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.” Well, that’s almost what WFBJ said. Now, as for Chipper being a hero . . . it’s okay with us if he’s your hero. He’s not ours and won’t be but we still think he can hit better than most anybody else who’s been through here. We did like to see Julio Franco with a bat, though, when they needed a runner moved over or brought in . . . but Julio is no Chipper and Chipper is no Neil Armstrong. We was wondering why none of the astronauts called themselves, “Chipper”?
BabsinAtl
September 28th, 2012
2:02 pm
Well said, Ken.
GOTTI GAMBINO
September 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
Old Chippy was soooo over-rated… It never ceases to amaze me when, on numberous occasions, stub his queen toe and then go wah-wah and not get out on the field. Thought he was built Ford tough. Good Riddance!! Bring back Dale Murphy, Otis Cokehead Nixon, and Sid Bream (just for the sake of doing that slide into home) That would right this ship
Tumbledown
September 28th, 2012
2:10 pm
BabsinAtl – Really? Did you miss this? Tumbledown
I think I pointed out the same posting as you. See my comment at 1:19. I think we are in agreement.
samuel
September 28th, 2012
2:15 pm
Chipper admitted his affair and illegitimate kid after it was posted all over the front pages. He did not voluntarily come forth after the deed and say to his worshipping followers “I cheated on my wife last night and I feel bad and I want to come clean before it hits the fan”.
BabsinAtl
September 28th, 2012
2:18 pm
@Samuel. Do you advertise your sins publicly?
Sonny Clusters
September 28th, 2012
2:19 pm
If we was to get tattooed (and we’re not going to) we would have to consider the Buck Commander tattoo that Chipper and LaRoach and a few others are sporting. Now, since we are not a Buck Commander and never will be invited to be one, we know we could not have the actual patented Buck Commander tattoo on our Popeye biceps but we think a good tattoo artist could come up with something similar for us without too much trouble. Then, we might get us some little bratwurst sausages and some seeds and some Double Bubble bubble gum and we might write our memoirs of all the places we’ve been where we enjoyed a good pizza and a good remote control tv. Clusters don’t get out all that much but we know a good Dairy Queen when we see it and we know the difference in a sports hero and a heroic individual. If Chipper does come back as a sports announcer like he once suggested we hope they pair him with Chip Caray because they have somewhat contrasting styles and would complement each other in the booth and permit the Braves to have the first Chip and Chipper broadcast team. That would be so confusing as to render the game meaningless. If a deer could talk . . .
BabsinAtl
September 28th, 2012
2:20 pm
@Tumbledown – yes we are!
HUH?????
September 28th, 2012
2:21 pm
samuel
Watch out! Jeff wants to ban me for posting something similar. Guess people can’t handle the truth.
BabsinAtl
September 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
HUH????
And some people can’t handle, or are jealous of, the successes of others and, therefore, spew hate. I thought we were on a sports blog, discussing and/or celebrating the “athletic” ability of Chipper Jones. I didn’t realize we were on a religious blog. It isn’t about “handling the truth.” It is simply realizing that we are all human, with our shortcomings and frailties just like everyone else. Bash him for his personal life if you must, or if it makes you feel superior, but that has to be a pretty miserable existence. GO BRAVES!
HUH?????
September 28th, 2012
2:28 pm
“And some people can’t handle, or are jealous of, the successes of others and, therefore, spew hate.”
Please point out ANY hate I’ve posted. Project much?
“I didn’t realize we were on a religious blog.”
You are seriously confused. I have said NOTHING about religion.
“Bash him for his personal life if you must”
Please point out any bashing that I’ve done. You obviously have a reading comprehension problem.
Brock
September 28th, 2012
2:29 pm
Tumbledown- True AA should be on that list. And I’ll throw Jimmy V in there as one of my heroes
BabsinAtl
September 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
HUH?????
You also said no one was race baiting, and I provided you with example(s). Perhaps the failure to comprehend what you read is your problem, and yours alone. I find it interesting that you never responded to that post either. I would love to debate you further. However, I am off to the Braves’ game tonight to cheer on my team! Good day to you sir…
Banned Poster
September 28th, 2012
2:48 pm
Awesome blog Jeff. I must say that this is definitely one of the best I have read from you. Chipper is an Atlanta legend and definitely one I will miss once it is all over in (hopefully) the next month.
As for the troll, Chipper made a mistake back in 1998 and got up like a man, held a press conference, took questions and admitted his mistake. He corrected the faults that led him down that path and paid the ultimate price – a broken relationship and very public humiliation. He is a better man now. While I like Tiger Woods, he never went through the same questioning and scrutiny that Chipper went through. Tiger has dodged all questions or anything from his infidelity, while Chipper owned up to it.
JSS
September 28th, 2012
2:52 pm
Look at Clusters going all ‘Firing Line!’ Clusters, they are going to say you’re part of the Eastern Establishment!
JSS
September 28th, 2012
2:55 pm
SInce when has religion equaled morality?
JSS
September 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
“Corrected faults?” When? Where? How?
Banned Poster
September 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
Bill @12:32pm……well said sir. Very well said.
HUH?????
September 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
“You also said no one was race baiting, and I provided you with example(s). Perhaps the failure to comprehend what you read is your problem, and yours alone. I find it interesting that you never responded to that post either. I would love to debate you further. However, I am off to the Braves’ game tonight to cheer on my team! Good day to you sir…”
I didn’t respond to your earlier post because I didn’t see any “race baiting” going on.
Also, again, please post any HATE that I’ve supposedly written.
Oh wait, you can’t.
HUH?????
September 28th, 2012
3:09 pm
“As for the troll, Chipper made a mistake back in 1998 and got up like a man, held a press conference, took questions and admitted his mistake. ”
I love it when folks contradict themselves in one single post. First, you call someone a name and then you act high and mighty.
“Tiger has dodged all questions or anything from his infidelity, while Chipper owned up to it.”
This isn’t a blog about Tiger, is it. No one is “bashing” Chipper. Merely pointing out that he isn’t this grand legend that some folks make him out to be. He’s a good ballplayer, not great, and he will end up in the HOF. He’s cost Atlanta a few players because of his salary.
Banned Poster
September 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
@JSS. Chipper and his first wife reconciled for awhile and went through counseling to try and make it work. Obviously that relationship didn’t work out and they both moved on. Chipper, however, didn’t just throw away the life of the young child he fathered. He could have easily sent him and the mother checks and moved on with his life, but he didn’t. He made them apart of his life and the son is treated no different than his other three kids. That is correcting his fault in my opinion. He became a man and owned up to his mistake. Now obviously this is not good for you and your high and mighty pedestal that you put everyone on. God forbid you have any skeletons in your closet. Hypocrite.
Banned Poster
September 28th, 2012
3:13 pm
“I love it when folks contradict themselves in one single post. First, you call someone a name and then you act high and mighty. ”
Not acting all high and mighty. Calling you what you are…..a troll.
Banned Poster
September 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
The hero label is obviously being bantered about in a baseball perspective. The fact some of you can’t comprehend that is mind boggling. Chipper is a hero to many of us Braves fans just as Murph and Hank were. Nothing wrong with that. Yes firefighters, soldiers, and policeman are heroes and are the most deserving of that title. But again, we are talking about baseball here.
Ron
September 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
Chipper has brought alot of those intangibles that you would hope any prospect in your organization would bring. Yes he was hurt a great deal and Yes he wasn’t always great during the post season but Chipper is a player you want to see and hear and read about during the baseball season. (I could care less about his personal trials, we all have them), next when 3rd is manned by someone else, everyone will think back and then and only then miss Chipper.
PMC
September 28th, 2012
3:27 pm
I’m going to really miss the feelings like i had the last Tuesday night. (no runs in the 8th, but we’ve got Chipper coming up in the 9th. You know he’s going to get on base….) sure enough double, move over, HR Walkoff… pass the champagne.
Man I hope he bookends this thing with another World Series victory.
JSS
September 28th, 2012
3:36 pm
No skeletons, my mistakes were in public… Therefore, no hypocrisy… Nice try… Correcting means more then trying, it means learning… Chipper got a second chance at marriage and blew it… Now, he’s sworn off marriage (supposedly)… It isn’t a pedestal, he’s never been placed any higher or lower than any other person… He’s been held by certain folks as a role model… These same people have come on these blogs decrying other men relentlessly for their martial (or relationship) failures… No, that is the hypocrisy… Said it when he was in A ball in Macon parading the Macon Mall trying to score every piece of underaged tail in the vicinity. Then 3 hours later passing the same girls with Karin Fulford, here would come Mr. Jones… We all shook our heads, same refrain: “This will not end well!” So enjoy your “hero” worship, the 2012 season and post-season has to end eventually!
David
September 28th, 2012
4:16 pm
Having loved baseball all my life living in the midwest with the Royals as the local team, I was thrilled to be relocated to Atlanta in 1994. Little did I know then – I would learn more about baseball from Bobby managing a National league team day-in day-out and witnessing the career of another great 3rd baseman in Chipper. One of my favorite memories is seeing Chipper talk with George Brett at the All Star game this summer. We are going to miss you Chipper !!
Sidslid
September 28th, 2012
4:57 pm
Before the infidelity, WSB ran an ask Chippet segment for kids at 7:15. One time a kid asked if you have to be a good student to play baseball. Chipper’s response: “You have to be able to count to four.”
Ann
September 28th, 2012
6:50 pm
@ bluspot Not sure what you mean by “not real sure he embraced Atlanta totally since he never lived here.” Chipper has lived in a metro Atlanta suburb for many years. I’ve read that he spends the off-season at this ranch, but in season, he lives here, which amounts to probably 7 months of the year. Sounds like a resident to me.
Regarding his personal life, he has stated that he got married too young the first time around. He did not have kids at the time. With the divorce rate at 50% off due to infidelity, sounds like there are many that have had similar bad choices. You folks who keep mentioning policemen, fireman, and soldiers as heroes, are they also no longer heroes if they have cheated on their husband or wife? I don’t put sports players on pedestals either and do not use the term hero lightly. Many sports persons, such as Chipper, though, do a tremendous amount for charity and that is commendable.
Ann
September 28th, 2012
6:53 pm
Typo correction – “his ranch” and “often due to infideilty” instead of “off”.
Ann
September 28th, 2012
6:59 pm
There are many people out there these days with 2 failed marriages. The extensive traveling involved in professional baseball makes it challenging to maintain a marriage, as you are often not there, day to day, to assist with the household, parenting, etc.
dude999
September 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
Chipper is a great player; NOT a hero. Our men and women who have served and are serving now in the armed services are heros. NOT some millionaire who hits and catches a white ball.
ylojkt
September 28th, 2012
7:32 pm
Chipper is a hero to me and my family, we will all miss him after this season and wish he could play for a few more.
Being in the military makes you no more of a hero than working at Kroger. It actually makes me think the guy at Kroger was smarter than the guy who enlisted in these times, knowing he would most likely be sent to a place he has no business being with a job that could get him killed, serving a master that is indifferent to his fate as long as the contracts keep making his companies richer. Many have served their fellow soldiers with great honor and sacrifice, and are good people, even heroes to many; but the sheer act of signing away your life when you already know that there will be no true purpose in your death or injury is not heroic in the least to me.
JAJA
September 28th, 2012
7:35 pm
While I appreciate Chipper as a baseball, can not forget some of his extra activities off the field and how he destroyed a marriage—-his own. He maybe a honest player, but was not as a husband.
Baako
September 28th, 2012
8:00 pm
This is my first blog(so please bear with me). I’ve never been a true Chipper fan, but I’m a lifelong Braves fan. I thought the Braves were stupid for re-signing Chipper and letting Andruw Jones walk(shows how much I know, huh). But Chipper has always been a consumate professional. He has been a clubhouse leader and a team player. The thing I think everyone that has brought up his personal life don’t realize is that although Chipper is a great ballplayer, he is a man. I don’t know about the “perfect” people on this blog, but I have had my own shortcomings as a person. The only difference is Chipper is in the public’s eye. When JS was talking about Chipper’s “honesty” he was talking about his honesty as a ballplayer, not his personal life. BUT, to me “honesty” is also defined as being able to stand up for your shortcomings. He may have failed as a husband(by his own admission, BTW) but he was honest enough not to blame others for what he did. I don’t know about y’all, but Chipper is RICH! If my broke a$$ can have women throwing themselves at me, I’m sure Chipper has 10x that amount throwing themselves at him. So what he had a child out of wedlock, so what he cheated on his wife, he didn’t cheat his fans(he showed up and performed night in and night out), and to be able to take blame for what he did… that makes him a stand up guy to me. Nobody’s perfect, and he didn’t cheat on you. And for those of you that are dogging him out for making mistakes, acting all high and mighty, pretending that you have NEVER sinned, keep in mind that God said “Judge not…” and remember that ANYTIME you go against God’s doctrines, YOU ARE COMMITTING A SIN! So judge on, perfect one
Rowsdower
September 28th, 2012
9:14 pm
Let’s leave the God stuff and the off the field life out of it. We are talking about one of the best players ever and an icon. What this man accomplished on a baseball field makes him a hero to a lot of people. No, he didn’t choose to join the military. He chose to be a baseball player. I admire those that choose to join the military…choose. It was their choice. They have had to fight unjust wars because an idiot wanted to avenge his daddy.
Chipper Jones should be honored in this space. Those of you that choose otherwise need to take your business elsewhere.
ylojkt
September 28th, 2012
10:16 pm
Agreed Rowsdower. Chipper was right, he shouldn’t give a rats posterior about many of you. Especially the goody two shoes judgmental “christians” on here.
GO CHIPPER! OUR HOMETOWN HERO!
rpollardrealtor
September 29th, 2012
1:26 am
Jeff,
I can honestly say, I can’t stand most of your articles because you do what you’re paid to do and write articles that stir up debate. Thankfully you got this one right. Great Article Jeff!
rpollardrealtor
September 29th, 2012
1:39 am
Rowsdower,
Avenge his daddy? It’s soo funny how people are so quick to forget 9/11 and to blame bush jr or bush sr. for 9/11 you are very naive.
ATL kid living in Arizona
September 29th, 2012
1:54 am
Does anyone know how difficult it is to switch hit? Anyone? If you ever played the game I challenge you to step out of the box and go to the other side. Now reverse everything you’ve ever been comfortable doing. Let’s do this and at the same time match wits with the best pitchers in baseball. On top of that give your team another dimension against certain pitchers in certain situations. Do this effectively for 20 years. It’s not easy folks – But Chipper made it look as if it were. Take pictures and remind yourself what a solid player this man is and has meant to the Braves. We love you and will miss you immensely Chipper!
Butler9
September 29th, 2012
11:09 am
Never really did care for Chipper Jones. Just seemed like the typical, uneducated, red-neck ballplayer. But in recent years he began to win me over. Maybe it was his consistent productivity despite his ongoing battle with injuries. Maybe I began to gain a greater appreciation of his low-key personality as compared to so many other atheletes who seem more interested in self-promotion and over-the-top celebrations for run-of-the-mill things like tackles and receptions. Maybe I began to notice more how highly-regarded he is by opposing players and coaches. Maybe it was all the comments I heard from his teammates, who had nothing but good things to say about him and his quiet leadership. Or, i dunno — maybe he just began feeling like an ‘old shoe’ or something. At any rate, he has won my grudging respect, for whatever that’s worth. It’s been fun to watch his sunset season, admire his ageless heroics, and know that we’re watching the passing of one the game’s truly great ballplayers. Bravo, Chipper Jones … you’ve done well and have made a city proud.
Just Saying..
September 29th, 2012
11:43 am
Jeff, ever think you’re so widely read because you share many of the bark-off (Beelzebub…) comment traits you admire in Jones?
Anyways, really nice piece.
Jim
September 30th, 2012
5:41 am
I thought early this year he should step aside so his pay could be used for a few decent players that could play everyday. He proved me wrong. He’s worth every penny.
Packer Ed
September 30th, 2012
8:24 am
This Brave fan of 55 years says we have not won the most championshsips but the Braves sure have had the greatest individual players in the major leagues. Aaron, Spahn, Smoltz, Mathews, Glavine, Maddux,and Chipper.
Who else should be added to the list?
PiersonBrave
October 5th, 2012
12:18 pm
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
——————————————————————————–
Wow! Some parent you are. Kick your own flesh and blood out of your relationship?
I guess that you would not want anything to do with your grandchild, also. Real mature and christian of you.
Some people make mistakes and deny (Clinton) Others make mistakes and own them (Chipper).
The chastity of some bloggers comment’s lead me to believe that they are without sin. Sigh, must be nice to be able to look down your long noses at the peons and riff raft of the world.