Chipper Jones on his non-announcement: ‘In good time’
Chipper cheeses it up with Matt Ryan before the game. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Chipper Jones met the media after the Braves beat Tampa Bay on Wednesday, and the man who prides himself on making statements of substance was apologetic about his inability to provide more clarity about the state of his retirement. “The only thing that’s frustrating,” he said, “is that y’all are asking questions I’m not ready to answer.”
Then this: “Everybody knows I’ve been contemplating this for a long time, but I’m not ready to commit. And, pardon my French, but I’ll wait until I’m damn good and ready to answer questions.”
Negotiations with the Braves remain ongoing, though it’s unclear about exactly what. Said Jones: “I hold the cards. That’s what any player wants — to go out on his own terms. I’d like to be given the courtesy to talk out things with the organization, and when I get those answers I’ll be able to answer your questions.”
Why the holdup? “We’re on this,” Jones said. “We’re trying to do this as expeditiously as possible. The last thing I want is to be a distraction. [His teammates] have to understand I’m in a little bit of a pickle here. But, in good time.”
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79 comments Add your comment
No Cox AND no Chipper? Is the world coming to an end? | Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
10:49 pm
[...] has announced his retirement. Chipper stands to announce his any day now. (After Wednesday’s game he said: “In good time.”) Yes, there’s symmetry there. As general manager, Cox drafted Jones No. 1 overall in June [...]
Mike Jay
June 16th, 2010
10:49 pm
Matt could be his younger brother in that picture.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2010
10:49 pm
There is a resemblance, is there not?
tr
June 16th, 2010
11:13 pm
What if… Chipper’s negotiating to retire as a player and become Bobby’s successor???
Gary Heckman
June 16th, 2010
11:16 pm
For crying out loud, give the guy some time. For years and years he has been gracious enough to speak with the media, day in and day out. Don’t you think we at LEAST owe him some space?
Red Brooks
June 16th, 2010
11:17 pm
Chipper’s game has gone down since the, let’s call it “Barry Bonds” era.
Red Brooks
June 16th, 2010
11:18 pm
Gary,
For the money he makes he gave up his space!
labo2000
June 16th, 2010
11:25 pm
I’m telling you tr, I’ve been thinking the exact same thing.
Watching him on the bench, I could definitely see him being a coach or manager of some kind. Might he be angling for a player-coach role to finish out the season, with a promotion to follow??
JRW7
June 16th, 2010
11:26 pm
Does Chipper realize he is not the player he use to be And sitting on a $28 contract is not good for the TEAM?
Gary Heckman
June 16th, 2010
11:27 pm
Red – Wow!
“let’s call it “Barry Bonds” era.”?
That is a pretty stong insinuation. Care to say what is really on your mind?
JRW7
June 16th, 2010
11:28 pm
Excuse me , I mean $28 million.
Gary Heckman
June 16th, 2010
11:34 pm
JRW7 – I think he does realize both that he is not the player he once was, AND the amount of money left on his contract is not good for the team. I think that is why he is doing what he is doing.
nola braves fan
June 16th, 2010
11:35 pm
you always make sense of this crazy world bradley. what are the negotiating? buyout? re-structure of this year’s $ so they can go get a trade piece? It just am missing something here, why does he “hold all the cards”?
Tweets that mention Chipper Jones on his non-announcement: 'In good time' | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
June 16th, 2010
11:37 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AJC , ajc sports editor, Courtney (Co), Steve Peresman, Joe McGowan and others. Joe McGowan said: RT @ajcsportseditor: Chipper Jones addresses retirement speculation: http://bit.ly/cjP10G [...]
Red Brooks
June 16th, 2010
11:40 pm
Gary,
Chipper’s body doesn’t repair quite so easily any more, does it? It is a fair discussion.
ACE OF HEARTS
June 16th, 2010
11:42 pm
I don’t think Chipper wants to play for another manager. Someone else may not keep putting his name on the lineup card with the stats he has now. I just hope he can go out on his own terms and he doesn’t have the Glavine and Smoltz thing happen.
Gary Heckman
June 16th, 2010
11:48 pm
No he doesn’t heal as good as he once did and that is a fair discussion. I know when I reached my late thirties my body slowed in healing too. But casually comparing Chipper’s decline to the “Barry Bonds era” certainly seemed as if you were pointing fingers at something else. If I misunderstood, I apologize. If I didn’t misunderstand, then you should.
Rob
June 16th, 2010
11:54 pm
Now there is somethign that hasn’t crossed my mind nola, but restructuring his deal, that is a real possibility. Good work there. It might just be that. I mean if he retires, he pretty much forfeits his last pay. Team won’t be responsible for that, so what is there really to discuss? That would be sweet, and it isn;t unprecedented. Split the years, take a few mill of what he would have been paid next year and put it towards one of those “he’s moving to the front office” BS things, and maybe, just maybe, he and Cox go out a winner. That would sure shut all the haters up. I think forfeiting money would be worth that alone.
bob
June 16th, 2010
11:58 pm
Despite Chipper, I am starting to drink the Braves Kool-Aid this year
Rob
June 17th, 2010
12:02 am
And again, as for the steroids crap, I don’t know for sure of course, but I seriously doubt it. I see no evidence whatsoever, and never really have. You know, it is possible for dudes to be really good baseball players. HE was a #1 pick. His numbers are pretty reflective of what a great player was in the 70’s and 80’s. I have no idea why people post the insinuation on here. It’s really pretty pathetic. And BTW, McGriff? He got robbed. Basically, he was clean (I am pretty positive of this) but he gets no love becasue he didn;t juice and had real stats. Basically, he was Eddie Murray. Check the stats. But he gets screwed because of the obvious steroid freaks from that time.
DiamondbackMac
June 17th, 2010
12:04 am
Red Brooks
My body doesn’t repail itself as fast as it once did either. It’s called ageing.
Gary Heckman
June 17th, 2010
12:05 am
I agree Bob – the koolaid is tasting pretty good this year. I hope to be drinking it late into October.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 17th, 2010
12:05 am
Why was it leaked he would retire if he didn’t.
DiamondbackMac
June 17th, 2010
12:11 am
repair
CG
June 17th, 2010
12:11 am
Gary Heckman @ 11:48 pm
Well said.
Reid Adair
June 17th, 2010
12:14 am
I have to agree with Chipper on this one. He’ll say he’s retiring when he’s ready to retire. I don’t think he’s too concerned about when the media wants him to do it.
It’s really a shame that some “anonymous source” ran their mouth the other day.
Ross
June 17th, 2010
12:14 am
Oh do be still my fluttering heart..
Nahz-T
June 17th, 2010
2:02 am
Say what? Shame on an “anonymous source” for revealing insight into the potential retirement of Atlanta’s most prolific hitter of the past two decades? Are you serious? I love all the back woods “old school” types that make pathetic moral overtures for the civil rights of the modern day athlete on sports blogs. If only you all who devote as much dedication for justice in the sporting world would just treat it like what it is: entertainment. This has been a Nahz-T reality check.
turkeycaller
June 17th, 2010
4:07 am
Jones likes attention, always has. Braves team had another winning effort despite the play of Larry Jones .The majority of this team cares about playing pro ball and winning. They are and have been having to carry Larry Jones the entire season and are playing well enough to win despite that. If he wants to retire,and he should,then do it and let this team play ball.
Dr. Warren
June 17th, 2010
4:39 am
If Matt Ryan has an equivalent career to Chipper Jones, then you gotta think the Falcons will win at least one Super Bowl in the next 10 to 12 years.
MitchC
June 17th, 2010
5:54 am
As a career Brave, and a future Hall of Famer, Chipper deserves the right to go out on his own terms. I think everyone should just go about the business of reporting on hopefully as many Braves wins as possible, and let the Chipper thing sort itself out.
As amazing as it may seem, does anyone even realize that if Chipper retires this year, he will be the first Braves superstar and Hall of Famer, in a long time, to have played only for the Braves his entire career, and to retire a Brave? We know about all the rest. Hank Aaron retired after being with the Brewers. Phil Niekro went to the AL, before pitching that “Farewell game” with the Braves. Tom Glavine was with the Mutts for four years, and Greg Maddux finished up on the West Coast. Even Dale Murphy, the Braves icon of the 80s, finished his career with the Phils, and Rockies.
I’ll be sad to see Chipper retire, but I’m also proud that he;s stayed with the Braves for his whole career. Its not something you see much of anymore. It would seem that Jeter and Rivera will likely both retire as Yankees, and both are future Hall of Famers. Except for those three guys, very, very few Hall of Famers stay with one team their entire careers.
My bet is Chipper will retire this year. Just maybe, if the writers stop making such a big deal about it, he’ll surprise us with the timing, and announce it.
turkeycaller
June 17th, 2010
6:22 am
Jones begone.
T-MAN
June 17th, 2010
7:40 am
Hey Turkey,Chipper has given more to this team and organization than any modern player,he has restructured his contract to free up money,to improve the team…listen people.we are seeing the end of an era here,that may never happen again,with the passing of Glavine,Maddox,Smoltz,Chipper…these guys have brought such happiness to vast majority of Braves fans…you naysayers make me sick,you never appreciate anything good.Oh yea left out HOF manager Bobby Cox…thanks to all of you…Go Braves
Jeff
June 17th, 2010
8:07 am
Gary,
He is the one asking for all this publicity by meeting with the front office and making it public. Once again even when he sucks he still wants some type of headline. He has the biggest ego ever! Make the announcement today walk away today. Move Troy to third and bring up Freddie!
Jeff
June 17th, 2010
8:12 am
And one more thing, how arrogant and selfish is this moron to pull this sh*t while the rest of his TEAM is playing well and he just feeling sorry for himself because he SUCKS. Way to go team playier.
Let's Go Bravos!
June 17th, 2010
8:13 am
If CHipper does retire, that would free up a lot of extra money to sign someone. Who is a good third baseman that we could go after?
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 17th, 2010
8:16 am
Freddie’s batting 258 in Gwinnett, not ready yet. If you make a move it would be Hinske or Infante. And about “the Barry Bonds era” Chipper injured way too much for that to be the case, roids are to help get over injuries.
Time
June 17th, 2010
8:21 am
These idiots making accusations that Chipper was on the juice because now he can’t stay healthy need to go away. Guess what, he’s 37 years old, that’s what happens when you get to this age (I know, I’m the same age). Making up junk on a blog that slanders someone with absolutely zero proof shows more about the poster than it does the player.
My guess is these meeting with management have been designed to take care of the remaining contract. He’s said he doesn’t want the money. He doesn’t need the money as he’s made a ton and been wise about it. I think the meeting went more like Chipper going in and telling Wren and Cox he was done after this year, and that they could start thinking like the 28 million he’s owed over the two years is freed up money. Which could, allow them to to make a big move now to help this team win. Which I think is all that Chipper really wants. No coincedence that the rumors are now the Braves are out there shopping for a impact power corner infielder.
I still say the guy can hit and will have a couple month run of the old Chipper sometime this year. He still draws walks at a high rate, gets on base. So he isn’t exactly a black hole in the lineup even now with his struggles.
CanHewitt
June 17th, 2010
8:23 am
It’s extremely rare to see someone like Chipper even contemplating a retirement. What a man! He could be just like most athletes these days, keep his mouth shut and collect $28 mil for subpar performance for next 2 years. But he’s a proud man. He knows his body is not what it used to be and he can’t perform at a high level. He’d rather walk away from that much money. It’s truly refreshing.
DarenW
June 17th, 2010
8:39 am
Chipper, who seems more interested in winning than getting a check at this point, is probably waiting to get a firm commitment from the front office to get someone worthwhile added to the roster for the year. “You can have my paycheck, but I have some input on how you spend it.”
In my dream scenario, Chipper does a coach/manager/player gig over the rest of the season, and takes the gig as hitting coach in 2011, while TP moves over to Bobby’s spot on the bench. Chipper’s move frees up enough money to get someone that is not Nate MclOut for a serious 2010 run.
Just me
June 17th, 2010
8:47 am
If Chipper “doesn’t want to be a distraction” why doesn’t he just shut up and play, and oh yeah, make some kind of contribution to this team. I think he brought this out because the team is going well without him (thus no attention on him), and Cox retiring and having his farewell tour. I think Chipper was just looking for a little time in the spotlight and he got it.
collegeballfan
June 17th, 2010
8:53 am
Chipper has a contract for 28 million after this year. I would think the discussion is about what the Braves will do to “buy out” the remaining 2 years and allow Chipper to retire after this year. And, what Chipper will do for the organization in exchange for the buy out.
Five years after he retires he will be in Cooperstown.
The Braves should be planning some ceremonies. In the next 5 years Maddox, Glavine, Smoltz and Jones will all be inducted into the Hall of Fame. For the Atlanta Braves, this is big. I believe it works out one a year for 4 straight years. This correct Bradley?
Dr. Phil
June 17th, 2010
8:57 am
Shut up and play ball!
Don
June 17th, 2010
9:20 am
If he has made a decision and wants to announce it now is one thing. But if he has not made his decision or is not ready to announce it, then why is he even talking about it now. How can that be anything but disruptive?
Joey
June 17th, 2010
9:22 am
Chipper for manager in ‘11!!!!
He’s got the sitting-on-the-bench-during-games part down already!
Just kiddin. I think it would be great!
Don
June 17th, 2010
9:23 am
Walking away from 42 million guaranteed dollars (including this year) would be difficult for any player when it actually comes down to doing it, Chipper included.
Is he trying to negoitate for a buy-out or a position in the organization with an inflated salary. If that is it and is done, then the Braves haven’t gained that much – would still have a big hole in their salary budget.
Pookadoprelanderschitzel
June 17th, 2010
9:24 am
So, is he negotiating some kind of personal services contract?
CPA
June 17th, 2010
9:28 am
At $80,000 per game, Chipper, the sooner the better. Please?
CPA
June 17th, 2010
9:31 am
T-MAN, he didn’t give up anything! Restructuring his contract didn’t cost him a dime. He got every penny, dummy.
And he has been paid very well for what “he has given to this team and this organization.”
Hooters Girl
June 17th, 2010
9:33 am
I love Chipper!!
chip1960
June 17th, 2010
10:01 am
I have no inside info and am not connected to the Braves front office in any way, but, a guy who has spent his whole career here and been a huge part of the success here is not going to meet with Wren and Bobby behind closed doors to hold them hostage over $$. I believe that when it all shakes out what we’ll learn is that Chipper used the respect he’s earned in this org. and the fact he’s owed this 28 mil. to help broker a deal or deals to get what we need in here to make this year finish in a storybook and historic fashion. This is not like Smoltz and Glavine exits. They were not on the 25 man roster when they left. Chipper wants to win in the worst way and this season will have his imprint on it to be sure and all Braves fans will be proud and smiling when its all over. Can’t wait to see this all play out. We have a 1st place team now with lots of home games coming up and JJ soon to be back in the rotation. Put a slugger in this lineup and stay healthy and I think we have an excellent opportunity to win it all. Thoughts??
fieldofdreams
June 17th, 2010
10:10 am
Knowing Chipper he’s probably thinking of freeing up his salary so the Braves can re-sign Troy Glaus. Compare his loyalty to that of Albert Haynesworth, who in April of this year took a $21 million bonus from the Redskins with no intention of ever playing for them again.
Scott
June 17th, 2010
10:14 am
Remember people, it’s not like Chipper was the one who “broke” the story about the meeting with Cox/Wren. He didn’t call a press conference and say “Ok folks, I had a meeting, but it’s none of your business about the details. But please, continue to hound me with questions!!”
And once the story was out, of course he was going to be asked questions. He’s just not ready to answer.
This is what happens when the rush to break a story “creates” the story.
TommyJack
June 17th, 2010
10:21 am
1. I doubt Chipper wants the aggravation and travel required of a manager.
2. Maybe he’s delaying announcement to avoid stepping on Bobby’s retiring toes.
3. More likely, he’s negotiating with the braves for part of that 28 mil.
Been a great Brave. First ballot HOF. Props be upon him.
Halberstram
June 17th, 2010
10:29 am
Chipper has earned the right to take as long as he wants. I’d even be wary if he announced something today if it would stick. There’s still a lot of time left before the season ends.
CanHewitt
June 17th, 2010
10:34 am
CPA, you don’t even know what he actually did.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2245396
He took less money to stay with Braves longer and gave the team some payroll flexibility.
Don
June 17th, 2010
10:47 am
No question – Pitching always has been and still is the name of the game. But having Pitching good enough to win the Division and having Pitching good enough to overcome Bobby Cox’s team management is an entirely different questions. How many games do you think that his blunders and some of his absurd actions have already cost the Braves this season?
Johnny3Steps
June 17th, 2010
11:46 am
“Bones” Jones can still help us win a play off spot this year. I want to see Chipper hit his 500th homerun within 2 years, so bring in the fences like we did for Hank Aaron…….
DMP
June 17th, 2010
12:00 pm
Wow, Don. You went out of your way to insult Bobby with that one. Why don’t you go ahead and inform us about all of Bobby’s blunders this year that have cost the team all of these victories. I’ll wait to hear your wisdom.
And to those of you chastising Chipper for being a distraction, you need to come back to the real world. Chipper had a confidential, closed door meeting with Wren and Cox and has declined to make any comments regarding that meeting. Whatever is going on, he is trying to be as discreet about it as possible. He can’t help it that there are too many starving reporters out there who are trying to make a living by printing non-stories.
As for my take on the situation, I fully believe that Chipper is negotiating out of his contract so that the Braves can spend at least most of the $28m they owe him. I mean, he could be like Mike Hampton and sit on the bench as the highest paid player on the team. He could also pull a Smoltz and leave the team that has given him everything in order to get an extra $3m that he doesn’t need.
turkeycaller
June 17th, 2010
12:01 pm
Retire now Larry. Do it now. Hotdog.
Mitchell
June 17th, 2010
1:32 pm
… after the Braves beat Tampa Bay
That was my favorite part of the whole piece. I pretty much stopped reading after that.
Mitchell
June 17th, 2010
1:49 pm
Wow, like him or not (and I can’t understand why anybody who calls themselves a Braves fan wouldn’t… I mean, what kind of an @$$hole are you? The bad kind?), but you gotta give him credit for throwing out an “expeditiously” at the interviewer. The guy’s sure has a gift for gab and I suppose being old and injury prone.
I KID!
YoungerThan ThatNow
June 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
There are many, many reasons to give Chipper the respect and courtesy that he deserves here, but mainly the reason “should” be because it’s the right thing to do. If for no other reason… even though there are MANY reasons… because he has been in a Braves uniform his entire career and obviously wants to retire with that blessed tomahawk across his chest.
I’ve never met Chipper, but I have met his dad and had a fairly lengthy conversation with him when he was hitting coach at Stetson, and I’ll just tell you that if I were in his position I would talk your ears off about “my son” (meaning Chipper). But do you want to know what he wanted to talk about? He wanted to talk about MY son, who was hitting in the cage at that moment… and his words were not only encouraging to MY son but helped him become a better hitter… and my son was a member of Stetson’s opposing team that weekend. I have and always thought that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and in this case I know that it doesn’t.
I said that only to say that… yes, he’s made more money this year already than most of us will in a lifetime… and yes, he may have an ego that is more than yours or mine… and yes, his reputation has suffered at times during his professional career. But overall, he’s done a hell of a lot more for this organization than any other player this side of Henry Aaron has, and he’s earned and deserves the courtesy that he has asked for here.
To mention his name in the same sentence with “steroids” or Barry Bonds is ridiculous and he DID NOT bring all of this attention on himself… in fact he tried to do it without anyone else knowing. Some big mouth writer who couldn’t wait to break the story betrayed his trust, and the trust of the Braves organization.
Chipper… if you retire today I will be sad, but happy that I had the priviledge of seeing you play many, many times. If you decide to play ten more years, then you have earned the right and honor of ending it on your terms. Either way… THANK YOU!!
BUBBA GUMP
June 17th, 2010
1:58 pm
I agree with Johnny 3 Steps……………………..Bring those stinkin’ fences in a little so Bones Jones can reach 500 homeruns! lol
jmor
June 17th, 2010
2:44 pm
Chipper is only going to retire if the Braves agree to pau him some portion of his guaranteed $28million to walk away from the remainder of the contract…The Braves are being offered a deal by Chipper, that he will walk from the remaining contract for a “buy-out” of some amount, probably $10million or so. This is purely a negotiation for money, and as Chipper says, he “holds the cards” meaning the guaranteed contractt.
Braves Fan Since "80
June 17th, 2010
3:40 pm
Negotiating terms of his release…… wow I guess he will become special assistant to Hank Aaron. Chipper should leave the money and run and the braves should have class enough to pay him what was restructured away and then go get a real 3rd baseman…….. Chipper has been great but another day another error
Brett Farve
June 17th, 2010
6:34 pm
Chipper, I wholly agree with your announcement and the way you’ve handled this issue that you raised yourself. Sincerely, Brett Farve.
turkeycaller
June 18th, 2010
7:18 am
Larry Jones is a most consistent, reliable individual. He remains a self centered,attention needing softie. This is and continues to be Larry Jones. Willing to ride the coattails of his lesser paid and more professional teammates while he tells everyone how great he is and tells reporters what his teammates did wrong. The players are going to get enough of this junk before much longer and then the real feelings of the players will surface. Jones needs to accept the fact he is no star only an albatross around the Braves neck and be grateful they have put up with his whining ass so far. Either that or do the right thing and get out of the way. The rest of the teams seems to want to play so pretty good baseball This is not Larry Jones team. it is the Atlanta Braves.
BUBBA GUMP
June 18th, 2010
11:06 am
I wanna see “Bones” Jones hit his 500th HOMERUN………………..So bring in da fences!!
IN THE WORDS OF
June 18th, 2010
11:27 am
IN THE WORDS OF
June 18th, 2010
11:27 am
;0
brandon
June 18th, 2010
9:35 pm
Wow, I just realized Chipper’s OBP is higher than is Slugging Percentage. I never imagined a stat-line like that with Chipper or any other 3-hole hitter.
Lee
June 20th, 2010
10:28 am
Bones Jones ain’t ready for no “stinkin rockin chair”
acid-tongue
June 20th, 2010
10:55 pm
@turkeycaller – you certainly seem to be in the minority. Sorry that you’re so unhappy. Why don’t you crawl back into your swamp and leave the Braves fans alone.
gail
June 21st, 2010
11:59 pm
Chipper may do best if his other half can’t be heard through-out Target.
These few weeks ahead would be nice to let him tell the rest of us. She needs to keep a lid on it. Hey I heard what fathers day card he’s getting. What time he came home. Who’s not invited. Not the first time I’ve heard detail. Chip I wish you well. She can’t stand you getting attention and giving autographs either.
No wonder this guy is having problems.
She’s
Phil
June 22nd, 2010
7:55 am
“I don’t think Chipper wants to play for another manager. Someone else may not keep putting his name on the lineup card with the stats he has now. ”
This is the probably the best analogy I have read yet. And it’s true, what other manager besides that clown Cox would keep a .200 hitter in the 3 hole, even if it is Chipper.
Chipper has been a great Braves player for many years, but so was Dale Murphy, Phil Neikro and others. There comes a point when they simply aren’t producing to the level that they need to.
The next manager certainly won’t keep Chipper in the 3 hole, maybe not even in the starting lineup. Only a clown like Cox continues to do so.
Chipper may retire after this year because his safety blanket(Cox) will be gone.
The Atlanta Braves: America’s Team Again | 7th Inning Stache, a Baseball Blog
June 22nd, 2010
10:40 am
[...] has too much pride to hang on for one too many years. That talk has continued into this year with Chipper admitting last week that there was some basis and truth to the rumor that this could be his final year as [...]
reason
June 22nd, 2010
11:04 am
Chipper, has got to stand on his word, is it either or , pick one, the best would be next year to get on his horse and fade into the sunset.
BUBBA
June 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
I still say Chipper “Bones” Jones is not ready for no “stinkin rockin chair” ala Possum Jones