The most familiar words in Atlanta sports: Chipper’s hurt!
Chipper Jones after Saturday's victory. He had a hustle double that day. (AP photo)
In his career, Chipper Jones has 1,518 RBIs. He has also undergone (loose estimate) 1,518 MRIs.
He had another Sunday, and it revealed a small meniscus tear in his right knee. That’s not to be confused with his left knee, which was surgically rebuilt last August. (The same left knee was likewise surgically rebuilt in 1994.)
Once again, we at the ol’ AJC got to trot out the most familiar words in the local sporting vernacular: “Chipper’s hurt.” And we Braves-watchers fell into our usual Chipper’s-Hurt calculations: Out for how long? Who plays third? Who bats third? What does this do to the Braves?
On the scale of Chipper Injuries, a meniscus tear isn’t up there with a torn ACL or even a tweaked oblique. (He’s had a slew of those.) If it responds to an injection, he said Sunday, he’ll be back fairly soon. If not, he’ll have arthroscopic surgery and maybe miss two weeks.
He knows because he the same thing once before — in 1996. And that, too, is part of being Chipper Jones: Whatever the ailment, there’s a chance he has had it before.
He’s 39, and there will soon come a day when he stops playing baseball and can wave goodbye to the MRI machine. When you think about it, it’s remarkable that, given all the infirmities, he has gone on as long as he has at such a high level.
He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer as is, which says much for the man. And our response to any “Chipper’s Hurt” bulletin isn’t just a hysterical thing. He’s almost 40, and he’s still the everyday Brave who matters most.
By Mark Bradley
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208 comments Add your comment
Josh Smith
May 16th, 2011
10:58 am
First
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2011
10:58 am
Smoove with smooth kudos.
juvenal
May 16th, 2011
11:00 am
No Comments
Josh Smith
May 16th, 2011
11:01 am
Thnx Mark. Gotta go shoot some 3s. i’ll read this later
Benjamin
May 16th, 2011
11:02 am
I’m just glad we’ve got an All-Star caliber player to plug in at third in his absence.
Part of me wouldn’t mind us going ahead and disabling the guy, letting him rest/heal, and calling up Jordan Schafer for a few days to see if he can provide some outfield help at this level. Either way, I’m fine with Hinske, too…
Brandon
May 16th, 2011
11:03 am
Actually Chipper has torn his ACL in his LEFT knee twice, not his right knee Mark.
Y3ll0wjacket
May 16th, 2011
11:04 am
Not too worried about this particular injury, but I’ll bet he ends up getting the knee cleaned out. Need him in that lineup to help the others. A hot streak from Ugla could sure help…
ffjsisk
May 16th, 2011
11:08 am
Go ahead and pile on the old man MB, to me it says alot about him and how much he loves playing to deal with the nagging injuries and still come back and give it a go the last few years. How about we try and enjoy the last year or two of the man’s career instead of trying to make a joke about it.
chem
May 16th, 2011
11:10 am
An steroid injection won’t heal a cartilage injury. This will require ~2-4 weeks of rest and/or surgery.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
11:15 am
Chipper promised, 2 years ago, not to be an anchor around the Braves neck. He promised he wouldnt stay around just to get paid.
Then his wife got involved.
Well Chipper, I know we have horrible inflation but im very confident we could find someone to bat .260 and hit a handful of hr’s for 14 million a year.
If Chipper wouldve been honorable we would have a 14 million dollar left fielder and Prado playing third and the Phillies scared stiff. Instead we have a hole in the lineup and third place in the division.
Thanks a lot Chipper!
Benjamin
May 16th, 2011
11:16 am
ffjsisk, see the last two paragraphs of the article. MB praised Chipper. He didn’t pile on.
—
“He’s 39, and there will soon come a day when he stops playing baseball and can wave goodbye to the MRI machine. When you think about it, it’s remarkable that, given all the infirmities, he has gone on as long as he has at such a high level.
He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer as is, which says much for the man. And our response to any “Chipper’s Hurt” bulletin isn’t just a hysterical thing. He’s almost 40, and he’s still the everyday Brave who matters most.”
Dr. Warren
May 16th, 2011
11:16 am
Here in China, he is known as “Chopper” Jones, and needless to say, they aren’t using a fork to eat their dinner when they talk about him.
Mark Bradley
May 16th, 2011
11:16 am
Thanks, Benjamin.
Ted M
May 16th, 2011
11:17 am
Call up Jordan Schafer…let him play everday for 7 to 9 days then make a decision on what to do w/him. Prado to 3rd.
Ossie
May 16th, 2011
11:19 am
I am/will always be a Chipper fan but I’m really hoping this is his last year. That $14 mil would look great in left or center
coloradobulldog
May 16th, 2011
11:20 am
Anthony, you’re kidding right? You know he’s a future HOFer right? Chipper is NOT the problem. He has played good d this year and still is a threat. (Not the intentional pass the other day with 1st base open and McCain on deck.) You need a class vet on your team. His presence on the Braves roster is a plus. Let’s hope he can come back soon and be healthy down the stretch.
elviskl
May 16th, 2011
11:21 am
the most overated athlete of all time in all of professional sports…not just baseball…good god almighty
coloradobulldog
May 16th, 2011
11:21 am
meant ‘note’ and not ‘not’
Les W. Moore
May 16th, 2011
11:22 am
I dunno Mark. I hear “ah crap” year-round from ATL fans.
Old Dawg
May 16th, 2011
11:23 am
I make this complaint every year and I know it won’t go anywhere, but why is the acronym Runs Batted In now referred to as RBIs? It’s absolutely weird how the term has changed through the years.
I understand that players say ribbies etc, but it’s still Runs Batted In, not Runs Batted Ins.
Faye
May 16th, 2011
11:24 am
I think Chipper has a substance abuse problem and because he is so loved by the Braves, they use these “injuires” to cover up for him whenever he’s off the wagon.
TommyP
May 16th, 2011
11:24 am
He doesn’t mean most to the Braves. Shocked you’d say that….
No way he means more than Brian McCann.
The Braves are well-versed in being prepared to do without Chipper for long periods of time. It’s gone on for years….it’s part of their offseason planning now.
Lose Chipper? Move Prado to 3rd and slide Hinske to LF…the production lost isn’t that much anymore.
Lose McCann? You’re losing arguably one of the top 3 catchers in baseball. No way David Ross could replace McCann long term.
Greene Hornet
May 16th, 2011
11:24 am
I think Heyward is the next Chipper in both a steller career (hopefully) and injuries. As much as we criticize Chipper, at least he comes out and tries to get the problem fixed instead of playing through and hurting the team with low averages, etc. Heyward will be great and I admire his will to play with an injury, but I would have liked to see him admit the injury and get it taken care of like Chipper has done. If a player is injury pront for whatever reason, get it taken care of and back out on the field. Chipper has been criticized about it in the past, but at least he comes back and brings his “A” game being the clubhouse leader he is. I just hope Heyward learns this and can have as great as or an even better career than Chipper.
coloradobulldog
May 16th, 2011
11:27 am
elviski, really? Let’s see… a lifetime .300 hitter. over 500 career 2Bs. 440 career HRs. Over 1500 career RBI’s. An MVP…. Yeah right. sounds like the most overrate athlete of all time to me…. More like Elvis is the most overrated musician of all time.
Matt
May 16th, 2011
11:27 am
Should it be RsBI?
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
11:30 am
Colorado,
I know you love the man but a promise is a promise. If you say you are going to do something you are expected to do it. Especially if you are a sports star.
Chipper knows what he said, you can pull it from AJC archives when he got the idiotic contract extension. A man’s most precious asset is his word.
Joey
May 16th, 2011
11:31 am
“…to me it says alot about him and how much he loves playing to deal with the nagging injuries…”
************************************************************
It’s probably a little easier to deal with the nagging injuries when you make about $85K per game . . .
dap01
May 16th, 2011
11:32 am
This article really don’t enlighten much except to give the anti Chippers a chance to make some noise. Mark, if Chipper is as bad as your headlines indicate, how did he accumulate HOF numbers.
Crap, give the man a break, let him have surgery and rest a couple of weeks. That $14 million dollars is not coming out of anybody’s pocket on this blog.
GovClintonTyree
May 16th, 2011
11:33 am
Elviski:
There are five players in baseball history who have career totals of better than .300 BA/.400 OBP/.500 SLG, 500 2B, 400 HR, 1500 R, 1500 RBI.
Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial and Chipper Jones.
Think about that.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
11:35 am
Colorado,
I can fill this message board with names of great players who are past their prime. Chipper WAS great. All he has been doing the last 3 years is lowering that career BA. .264 in 2009, .265 in 2010, 2011 isnt looking bright. Have you looked at Chipper’s career BA recently? He is mighty close to being known as a career .299 hitter…
You can have passion and that is a good thing but you cannot argue with numbers. Math doesnt lie.
Ted M
May 16th, 2011
11:35 am
What’s B Beachy’s status? Anyone
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 16th, 2011
11:38 am
Man what did I say during your live blog Sat! Had to keep him healthy, I may not have jinxed JJ perfect game but I jinxed CJ’s knee!
Mr. Obvious
May 16th, 2011
11:41 am
The Other Most-Familiar Sports Sayings in Atlanta:
- “The Thrashers Are Relocating to Winnipeg!”
- “The Falcons Lose Their Opening Playoff Game… Again…”
- “Free Mike Vick!”
- “The Hawks Lose Their Opening Playoff Series… Again…”
- “Another Atlanta Pro Athlete was Arrested Last Night for DUI, Spousal Abuse and/or an Illegal Firearm”
- “The Braves Get Eliminated from Post-Season by Inferior Team… Again…”
- “Fire Mark Richt!”
- “How’d Bill Do?”
- “Yes, I’d like to cancel my AJC subscription.”
Mr. Obvious
May 16th, 2011
11:43 am
- “No, I don’t care about “6 Months Free. I’d still like to cancel my “AJC” subscription.”
murfdawg
May 16th, 2011
11:44 am
Even if the Braves just use him against the Mets, he is worth keeping around.
What??
May 16th, 2011
11:44 am
Chipper is not as critical to this line up as he has been the last few years. With Prado, McClouth (can’t believe I’m including his name), McCann, Uggla (he will hit) and Gonzalez, we still have the capability to produce enough offense without him.
DHD
May 16th, 2011
11:45 am
I thought it was “the AJC has written another article about Mike Vick.”
South ga boy in the atl
May 16th, 2011
11:50 am
It was ridiculous for Wren to give him 4 yrs on his current deal. This yr should have been the last. We need that 13 or 14 mil to get a right handed power hitter. If Ted still owned the team, I would say who cares, pay chipper some money he will never earn for the 115 games a yr he will pay. But we are on an allowance now and chipper and Lowe are getting about 35% of the teams allowance, or maybe winning a championship is just not that important to some fans. Ok let’s hear from all u sentimentalist that don’t care whether we have the right handed power hitter we need, just pay Chipper what he wants for as long as he wants. Geez
The Original WDE
May 16th, 2011
11:51 am
Chipper Jones for President, 2012.
I’ll be more sad for him leaving than I was for Bobby.
Chipper is why me and my pee-wee teammates wore our pants up to our knees.
Shug
May 16th, 2011
11:56 am
First ballot Hall of Famer? Talk to me five years after he’s retired.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
11:58 am
Anthony
Colorado,
I can fill this message board with names of great players who are past their prime. Chipper WAS great. All he has been doing the last 3 years is lowering that career BA. .264 in 2009, .265 in 2010, 2011 isnt looking bright. Have you looked at Chipper’s career BA recently? He is mighty close to being known as a career .299 hitter…
You can have passion and that is a good thing but you cannot argue with numbers. Math doesnt lie.
Dumb statement. In order for Chipper to become a career .299 hitter(If you think he will hold up for 450 ABs this year), he will have to amass 44 hits in his remaining 308 ABs. That is a .143 avg for the remainder of his year.
Gucci
May 16th, 2011
11:58 am
Bradley is the biggest ATL hater. That goes for the Hawks & Braves.
Huh?
May 16th, 2011
11:59 am
GovClintonTyree: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial and Chipper Jones.
Four of those players didn’t use steroids.
Think about that.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
11:59 am
“That $14 million dollars is not coming out of anybody’s pocket on this blog.”
Are you making a comment about the Braves not selling out baseball games? Do you steal your cable? Do you think Chipper backs his pickup into the money tree to get paid?
Im glad that Chipper has such staunch supporters. He will always be one of my favorite Braves. Its just that I wish he wouldve walked into the sunset with Bobby. I had such hopes that Chipper could see that the Braves desperately needed that 14 million to fix the outfield.
Hopefully Jordan can come up and be the player he was supposed to be.
Dawgdad (The Original)
May 16th, 2011
12:00 pm
Unfortunately, he is still the second best player (McCann) on the team. That doesn’t say much for the talent surronding him.
If it wasn’t for his enormous contract, I think we would be all thrilled at his production at this age. You have to blame the contract on the Braves; he just said “sure, that sounds good”.
can’t blame him for that. Most players have a hard time leaving, that jump from idolazation to hey whats he do now, is a little steep. Some like Maddux love to get out of the limelight, others like Smoltz are dragged kicking and screaming. I think Chip is somewhere in the middle.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
12:02 pm
DE Braves Fan,
This isnt Chippers last year on the contract…
Did you consider that?
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
12:04 pm
I also love when staunch supporters bring out the ole spell checker. Your debate is horribly flawed because you dont know how to spellt.
ROFL.
Carlos Santana & Chipper Jones
May 16th, 2011
12:04 pm
Name two examples of celebrities whose drug use in their 20s came back to haunt them while causing them to break down mentally and/or physically later in life.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:04 pm
South ga boy in the atl
…pay chipper some money he will never earn for the 115 games a yr he will pay…
Another dumb statement look at his career numbers. In Chipper’s 17 year career he has not topped 115 games 3 times(with this year as an unknown). They were 2005, 2006, and 2010. 2005 he played 109 games, 2006 he played 110, and last year he played 95. You could even go to 130 games and guess what Chipper only has 1 more year on top of those where he did not play 130 games (2008 where he played 128). 140 is the typical bench mark for Chipper.
GIVE ME A BREAK
May 16th, 2011
12:05 pm
Chipper is the Evander Holyfield of baseball.
GovClintonTyree
May 16th, 2011
12:05 pm
Huh?
Huh? Chipper has addressed steroids. He said he did try them early in his career – very briefly – and they made him gassy, and that he hasn’t used them since.
Nice try at discrediting a great athlete, though.
PMC
May 16th, 2011
12:05 pm
Yeah but he’s nearly 40. He’s trying his best and he’s still one of the best players on the team.
This is just further indication that they need to trade a pitcher for a bonafied outfielder so that when he’s injured they have some depth. IT wouldn’t hurt to find another 3rd baseman who is a good minor leaguer either.
PMC
May 16th, 2011
12:06 pm
What happens if Prado gets hurt again???? We lose 2 players.
Jim Bob
May 16th, 2011
12:08 pm
Oh no we might lose our egotistical $14 mil #3 hitter who’s on pace for 15 HR’s if he played all year, has limited range defensively, and no leadership skills.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:08 pm
Anthony
DE Braves Fan,
This isnt Chippers last year on the contract…
Did you consider that?
No but lets look at that too then since you insist. Add on another 450 ABs. Chipper would have to amass 178 hits in 758 ABs. That is a .235 avg. Chipper’s career low is .248 so again not likely. As well I think he is probably done after this year.
1eyedJack
May 16th, 2011
12:11 pm
“He’s 39, and there will soon come a day when he stops playing baseball and can wave goodbye to the MRI machine.”
And says hello to a host of the other torture devices modern medicine has devised.
Dawg '88
May 16th, 2011
12:11 pm
elviskl….you must be talking about Derek Jeter…otherwise you don’t have a ding dong clue what you’re talking about…One of the top 3 all time switch hitters is overrated?….Yeah right!
slaw dawg
May 16th, 2011
12:12 pm
Santana’s comments are the most exciting moment in baseball this year.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
12:13 pm
Chipper’s steroid use was under doctors orders.
I would bet he had a scrip every year of his career because of all the injuries sustained. MRI 1500 times? I wouldnt doubt that he’s had the needle at least that much.
jrock
May 16th, 2011
12:14 pm
Hope it is just for a few weeks. He’s the only player my 4 year old knows. Maybe I can find him a Prado jersey. I assume we would bring up another outfielder and move Prado to 3rd. Tonight I guess it’s Hinskie/McLouth/Mather in the outfield (unless Heyward’s back). Conrad played good defense at 3rd yesterday, but you never know how long that will last.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
12:15 pm
DEBraves,
If he was capable of that many ab’s I would bet you $100 that his BA would be lower than .215
South ga boy in the atl
May 16th, 2011
12:16 pm
It’s sad that Wren panicked and gave chipper money he would never earn and waaaaay overpaid Lowe simply because he was scared of some of the Braves fan base. Nobody would put so many eggs in one basket when you have limited eggs and baskets. I don’t even think he would make those deals today. Hopefully he’s learned. The Braves have the best farm in baseball and those are the guys we will win with either now in the near future, not Chipper. What could we have done last yr with Prado at 3rd and 28 million dollars worth of left and right field right handed power hitters with Heyward in center field. We probably could have won a championship but Noooo, we have a GM and some in the fan base who are scared to death that Chipper would only make 160 million in his career instead of the 200 million he needs to feed his family. Never mind long suffering Braves fans.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:16 pm
Anthony
Chipper’s steroid use was under doctors orders.
I would bet he had a scrip every year of his career because of all the injuries sustained. MRI 1500 times? I wouldnt doubt that he’s had the needle at least that much.
Did you really not catch Mark’s sarcasm about the MRI joke?
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
12:19 pm
Dude,
Im glad you are such a staunch supporter of a 39 year old who gets paid 14 million but lay off.
Of course I realized it was a joke, you couldnt realize that I used it for my own device.
Go smoke a cig or gaze at your favorite Chipper baseball card. Take a break man.
Dawg '88
May 16th, 2011
12:20 pm
Jim Bob….Explain this:
Chipper leads the team in RBIs. He has the highest OBP. He walks more than he Ks. He has played very well defensively this year. As far as leadership…his teammates all voice what a great leader he is. No he doesn’t do it outwardly in front of the cameras. That would be egotistical. Many young players credit him for helping them make a smooth transition to the majors and helps them with their preparation. He also hit early at Turner Field this year…before he was required to show up. Other than Prado he did the most off season work to get ready. BTW….ever had a torn ACL or MCL…try rehabbing that by being anything but dedicated. That shows leadership in itself.
Next time come with some facts before ripping a Hall of Fame player!!
Otherwise, just shut your yap!
Everytime you post…it leaves no doubt about the level of your ignorance.
Chipper Jones Injury Watch
May 16th, 2011
12:24 pm
[...] Jones Injury WatchBy Jason – May 16, 2011 Most Braves fans are used to this by now, but Chipper Jones is hurt again. This time it’s a torn meniscus in his right knee (his left [...]
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:26 pm
Anthony
DEBraves,
If he was capable of that many ab’s I would bet you $100 that his BA would be lower than .215.
And I would take that bet. Here I will give you a range. 400-750 ABs for the rest of his career if he plays next year. The thing I am getting at is it is going to take a lot of struggling for Chipper to finish as a .299 career hitter. For him to fall below .300 in 400 ABs, he has to collect 71 hits(.178 avg). In 750 ABs he has to collect 176 hits(again a .235 avg. I would bet before Chipper’s avg falls below .300 he would retire.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
12:27 pm
Chipper is the team leader. He has great skills motivating young players and he would be a great asset as a coach.
We had a batting coach spot open this year and oh how I hoped that Chipper wouldve made that choice.
Oh well, now we have 2 weeks of missing our “RBI Leader” and hopefully thats it for this years injuries. We have woefully put to many resources in one place. If the baseball gods have mercy on us maybe we wont have to call up a AA player to fill a gap during the POST Season.
LOL.
Dawg '88
May 16th, 2011
12:28 pm
Those of you slamming Chipper just means that you aren’t and never were really Braves fans. You wouldn’t know squat about baseball or this team is if you’re life depended on it.
You talk abaout Chipper sucking up $14 million…what about the rest of the offense besides Prado and McCann. They are all not earning their money. What do we do about them? Quit questioning the most decorated and accomplished Braves ever. Otherwise, you’re lack of common sense will shine through.
urban redneck
May 16th, 2011
12:28 pm
he is still the most feared hitter in this lineup and one of the most feared hitters in the league. this team cannot reach the playoffs without him.
i don’t love him either, but those are the facts.
South ga boy in the atl
May 16th, 2011
12:29 pm
Oh I see DE BRAVES FAN, you want to compare Chipper’s health when he was in his 20’s to when he is 39 and 40. How dumb is that !!!! The best comparison to how many games he might play this yr is how many he played last yr (95). I think I was being generous with 115. And what is he doing ? He’ll hit .275 with 15-18 HR and about 65 RBI. Yea I guess that deserves 14 million. Bernie Madolf thinks you handle money crazy DE BRAVES FAN
Bill in VA
May 16th, 2011
12:30 pm
Ted M @11:17 am, I second that! Call up Jordan Schafer & give him a chance to produce. THEN decide!
Old Dawg @ 11:23, Get a hobby! I’m older than you.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
12:30 pm
DE,
I take that bet.
If Chipper pulls a Dale Murphy and somehow amasses even 500 more AB I will be around to collect.
I will be on the Atlanta Braves mb with the handle “DEloses$100″. It wont be hard to find me.
Douglas
May 16th, 2011
12:32 pm
Chipper was given an intentional pass twice the other night with runners in scoring position to get to McCann. Do all of you Chipper haters think you know more baseball than the Phillies manager. If he was pathetic now, then why did not they pitch to him. If you have runners in scoring position, especially on third with last than 2 outs, I cannot think of another Brave I would rather have at the plate. He has been in every conceivable situation, is not afraid to hit with 2 strikes, generally makes contact, and has a high on base percentage. I don’t understand why there are so many Chipper haters. You will see when he’s gone. You usually don’t realize how good something is until it’s gone.
Tallcarl
May 16th, 2011
12:32 pm
Anthony, you are the same one that betraded Jilious Cesar and stabed him in the back.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:33 pm
Thank you Dawgs ‘88. At least someone in here has some logic. You people are funny too. Chipper is not just being paid for his production. He is being paid for his leadership. He is to the Braves what Derek Jeter is to the Yankees. Jeter’s production last year dropped TREMENDOUSLY. Guess what he just recently signed a 3-year $51M deal(4th year is an option).
Tallcarl
May 16th, 2011
12:33 pm
Sorry betrayed
No Woody for Me
May 16th, 2011
12:34 pm
Old Dawg – Maybe you should stop complaining. RBI is not the only acronym pluralized in this way.
The military refers to MREs and I am pretty sure that does not stand for Meal Ready to Eats
Or what about suffering from multiple snafus. I don’t think that means Situation Normal All F’d Ups
So, probably time to put your RBIs concern to rest
Richard Dawson
May 16th, 2011
12:35 pm
Classless redneck thug. Telling the fans to “Kiss my a**”. Get a real 3B please.
Richard Dawson
May 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
Dawg ‘88, people like you make these boards pitiful. If someone disagrees with you, they are not Braves fans and don’t know anything about baseball.
Look in the mirror. You are the fool. Thanks for trying to stifle the conversation, insecure loser.
Pat's Rockett
May 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
I would like to see Chipper play out his career here and then take over as manager. He shows a lot more leadership and fire than Fredi does. All Fredi does is sit there with his arms crossed and has this look on his face like ” huh, what happened” ? Then he waits until it is too late to do something about a game changing situation.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
@South ga boy in atl:
I think it is too much of a stretch give even his RECENT history that he wont play 115 games. Let’s go since he is 35(since that is considered past prime). Chipper has played in 134, 128, 143, and 95 games. Chipper even said he could have played in all the games this year leading up to yesterday if he needed too. I would say history is more on my side than yours.
CT Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
Hey, love the stat about career .300 BA, .400 OBP, .500 SLG, etc…and Chipper is in elite company…but you left off Manny Ramirez, who also meets those criteria. And for what it’s worth, Mel Ott would also qualify if not for falling 12 doubles short (finished his career with 488 2Bs but meets all the other criteria.)
Regardless, great stat, Chipper is a HOFer, no doubt.
Pariah Jerry
May 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
“Call up Jordan Schafer”
Didn’t realize Jordan’s mom was still posting here. Why is it his name keeps coming up? Hasn’t he been given a chance and shown he can’t play at the top level?
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
12:37 pm
Dawg,
“You talk abaout Chipper sucking up $14 million…what about the rest of the offense besides Prado and McCann. They are all not earning their money. What do we do about them?”
Paying a 39 year old who cant possibly hit .300 play 120 games or hit 20 home runs is not my idea of fixing a teams offensive woes. Chipper believed the same thing when he stated that he would not be that player that would hinder his team with a bloated salary on a player not producing.
I guess he should of thought about what he was saying before he made that promise to Atlanta.
.264 in 2009 .265 in 2010 ??? in 2011. for 14 million a year?
I put all of this on the same geniuses that overpayed for Nate McOut and overpayed for an aging Japanese ace…
Lets put Hank Aaron back in a uniform, I hear he was a great player in his day.
journalist jimmy smith
May 16th, 2011
12:37 pm
be glad it was not a toe. toes are not to be trifled with.
Biff Pocaroba
May 16th, 2011
12:39 pm
Mark Bradley…….. back handed compliment
last I looked #10 was leading us in RBI’s, no class from some fans… wonder why he stayed in the ATL all the years, better money offers would have come, restructured his contract repeatedly to help with payroll… he and Jeter are the last of the one team superstars…
dont like him fine, go root for the Mets or Phillies
Richard Dawson
May 16th, 2011
12:39 pm
Chipper is such a great leader, he told the AJC in late February that the fans could “kiss my a**”.
Now THAT’S true leadership.
If you are a classless redneck thug.
South ga boy in the atl
May 16th, 2011
12:40 pm
Dash 98, I’ve been a Braves fan long before you were in short pants, I’m sure. I saw the Hammer hit number 713 on a Saturday night in the next to last game of the 73 season. You guys just don’t seem to get that WE ARE ON AN ALLOWANCE FROM LIBERTY MEDIA !!!! I like Chipper and I appreciate what he HAS done for the Braves and he has been well paid for his talent. And if he were making 3-4 million then his pay wouldn’t be a problem, but we are at least one impact player (right handed power hitting outfielder) from being an elite team and THERE IS NO MORE MONEY TO GET ONE. DO YOU CHIPPER DEFENDERS GET THAT !!! Our best hitters are leftys and we are vulnerable to elite left handed pitching that we will see in the playoffs. But Wren has NO MONEY AND IT’S BECAUSE CHIPPER AND LOWE TAKE 35% OF THE ALLOWANCE. ITS NOT PERSONAL. ITS MATH !!!
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:41 pm
Pariah Jerry
“Call up Jordan Schafer”
Didn’t realize Jordan’s mom was still posting here. Why is it his name keeps coming up? Hasn’t he been given a chance and shown he can’t play at the top level?
I am glad playing 45 games with a broken wrist shows you can not play at the highest level. I quite possibly have a broke wrist now and can tell you it is in fun. I can barely pick up my laptop.
Mikey
May 16th, 2011
12:42 pm
I just don’t get this visceral disdain re: Chipper Jones. He leads the team in rbi’s (tied w/Prado, leads the team in OBP, leads the team in walks, tied for second in hits and bats third in a lineup that most pitchers don’t want to see with a RISP. Oh yea, he has a .973 FPCT.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:44 pm
Richard Dawson
Chipper is such a great leader, he told the AJC in late February that the fans could “kiss my a**”.
Now THAT’S true leadership.
If you are a classless redneck thug.
I do believe he is saying that to fans like Anthony and you. You know guys who are bashing someone who has done more than enough to help this team.
slaw dawg
May 16th, 2011
12:45 pm
When Chipper retires, I hope he donates his chaw to science.
Time
May 16th, 2011
12:48 pm
Leave it to the Bradley blog to bring out all the classy Atlanta “fans”. You got some who think they guy just wants to get hurt and get paid. Others pontificating on substance issues. Others whining that the first ballot HOFer is somehow overrated.
I swear, if these fools posting on this blog spent as much time going to games as they do figuring out new and stupid ways to hate local players, maybe Atlanta wouldn’t be a laughing stock in the sports world. You people are a embarrassment to this city. Go back north and bitch about the Mets or wherever you came from.
Let's Go Bravos!
May 16th, 2011
12:49 pm
Yes, Chipper may be getting hurt a lot more since he’s getting older, but you can’t argue the production that he can still generate. He can still hit, knows the strike zone better than anyone and can take walks with the best of them, gets intentionally walked if a runner is on 2nd, and he’s been fielding very well this year. At 39 it’s remarkable that he’s still this good. I just hope he keeps himself healthy enough to be in the postseason, because we will need him badly!
South ga boy in the atl
May 16th, 2011
12:50 pm
DE BRAVES FAN. you just don’t get it dude. Your actually comparing Jeter and the Yankees to Chipper and the Braves. WE DON’T HAVE YANKEE UNLIMITED MONEY !!! can you read !! We have limited money. Chipper has some value to the team but he’s not worth 17 or 18% of the total team salary. Dude you must work for the government (military not included) because you think money grows on trees and you aren’t very bright. Lol. You just don’t get it !
Coach Cheesedip
May 16th, 2011
12:53 pm
Steroids and injuries go hand in hand! Not so sure Chipper is a Hall of Famer..Ask Bonds and the other boys!
LuisG
May 16th, 2011
12:57 pm
Whenever Chipper decides to “ride into the sunset”, I’m sure I won’t remember him by those “familiar words”. I’m confident I will remember him by these words: “Chipper comes through, again!”
TheAntiMe
May 16th, 2011
12:57 pm
Chipper the frequent DL tripper is such a body-part ripper that he should be equipped with a zipper.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
12:58 pm
@South ga boy in the atl actual no I do not but guess what You are pretty dumb if you do not think Chipper is as important to Atlanta(the team not the city cause many of you fans are unbelievable) as Jeter is to NY. Yankee fans have even said that. I would say a guy with Chipper type of leadership grooming players to play up here, helping hitter when they are struggling, etc is worth what he is paid.
Chris
May 16th, 2011
1:01 pm
This should be familiar, too; ‘Another crappy sports blog from the AJC.’
Brent
May 16th, 2011
1:02 pm
Leave it Atlanta fans to bash a great player. I guess we should run him out of town to finish his Hall of Fame career elsewhere just like Aaron, Niekro, Murphy and Glavine. And before the wise guys start I know Murphy is not in but he should be.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
1:02 pm
Also south ga boy in the atl: we have paper money. Paper is made from trees. In essence money does grow on trees.
FBBoy
May 16th, 2011
1:03 pm
Time, I couldn’t agree more. Bloggers like Anthony and Richard Dawson (who see hindsight as foresight, prefer name-calling to discourse and never learned spelling and grammar) waste a lot of time with their posts and fuel a lot of pointless blather. If only they could manage … if only they were Frank Wren … if only pigs could sky dive ….
TheAntiMe
May 16th, 2011
1:08 pm
Anthony, you are the same one that betraded Jilious Cesar and stabed him in the back.
He couldn’t have betraded Jilious Cesar, Tallcarl. They didn’t have fantasy sports leagues back then.
Matt
May 16th, 2011
1:10 pm
2 things that are understood every baseball season.
1) Chipper will be hurt at some point and more than once
2) He will produce while in the lineup.
This is of no surprise. Nobody thought he was going to play 150 games.
Does Prado move to 3rd now? Whose in LF?
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
1:12 pm
I sure feel the love in this room.
I guess thats what makes America great. Even our presidents lie to us during the election and we dont care.
Chipper Jones made a promise to this city and he didnt keep his word. Its as simple as that.
Im old enough to remember the last Braves ICON that did this.
And the city of Atlanta does not owe last years World Series and this years hopes and dreams to a man who will hit under .270 again. Just like he did in 2009. Just like he did in 2010.
And if we get what most of you wish we will get it in 2011 and possibly 2012.
I guess thats what we deserve.
Maybe we can have some A players come up and produce in this years post season, because our hero is disabled again, and all of the stop gaps are either worn out or disabled.
Hooray Chipper Jones.
Sometime this season you naysayers will remember the day you laughed in the face of facts and reason.
Ignorance and delusion…
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
1:15 pm
Today I was called stupid, idiot, traitor….
But being called a Mets fan is to much.
F’ off.
South ga boy in the atl
May 16th, 2011
1:16 pm
DE BRAVES FAN. I’ll say it one more time. I like Chipper and he has some value to the team, Probably about 3-4 million now. It’s amazing to me that all you can say is that Chipper is a HOFer and what he HAS MEANT to the Braves and Braves fans. But you never answer my argument about the Braves limited resources and how best to spend that limited money. Chipper is making 4 times what Prado is making, but Prado will play in more games and have better offensive numbers than chipper and could be playing 3rd while Chipper’s money could go to a 30+ HR 100 RBI left fielder that’s in his prime. All you have is your love for Chipper which is fine, but I want another Championship. So why is it that you never address the real issue with the Braves and Chipper and that is the limited resources of the Braves.
NorCalBrave
May 16th, 2011
1:17 pm
Glad the injury isn’t more serious. Expecting a speedy recovery to get his presence back in the lineup.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
1:23 pm
Tell me who exactly we could have used with our “limited resources”? Tell me who we could get for $13M(cause that is actually what he is getting paid)Also last I check our resources are limited by an owner who is making more than THE ENTIRE TEAM! Last year Fangraphs estimated Chipper’s value IN PRODUCTION alone at $10.7M. Year before that? $13.1M. And prior to that? $34M. Again this does not even factor in the leadership he provides and aid he gives to younger players.
PTC DAWG
May 16th, 2011
1:24 pm
Get well Chipper….the Braves need you in the lineup.
phil
May 16th, 2011
1:25 pm
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
11:15 am
Chipper promised, 2 years ago, not to be an anchor around the Braves neck. He promised he wouldnt stay around just to get paid.
Then his wife got involved.
Well Chipper, I know we have horrible inflation but im very confident we could find someone to bat .260 and hit a handful of hr’s for 14 million a year.
If Chipper wouldve been honorable we would have a 14 million dollar left fielder and Prado playing third and the Phillies scared stiff. Instead we have a hole in the lineup and third place in the division.
Thanks a lot Chipper!
Are you normally this stupid? Just curious….
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
1:27 pm
On top of that he is still doing it. Heyward said his transition to the MLs was easier cause of Chipper(Freeman said his was made fairly easy by Heyward, huh I see something there).
blue
May 16th, 2011
1:28 pm
Anthony; you are one of those predictable Chipper haters that tries to make things sound a certain way. He is NOT hitting .260, and he is on pace for over 100 RBI…and has been playing very good defense. Even if he misses 20-40 games, you add his numbers to whoever else plays 3b for Braves…and the production will be at or near the top of the NL. NOT to mention how many walks he gets…leaving things open for McCann. But nice try.
phil
May 16th, 2011
1:29 pm
Faye
May 16th, 2011
11:24 am
I think Chipper has a substance abuse problem and because he is so loved by the Braves, they use these “injuires” to cover up for him whenever he’s off the wagon.
Faye – The problems you apparently have are too many to adequately address in this forum…but one piece of advice? Stop the drinking…
dap01
May 16th, 2011
1:30 pm
Jordan Schafer is not exactly tearing up AAA.
horner's corner
May 16th, 2011
1:31 pm
bob horner is the greatest braves 3rd baseman of all-time.
phil
May 16th, 2011
1:31 pm
Mr. Obvious
May 16th, 2011
11:41 am
The Other Most-Familiar Sports Sayings in Atlanta:
- “The Thrashers Are Relocating to Winnipeg!”
- “The Falcons Lose Their Opening Playoff Game… Again…”
- “Free Mike Vick!”
- “The Hawks Lose Their Opening Playoff Series… Again…”
- “Another Atlanta Pro Athlete was Arrested Last Night for DUI, Spousal Abuse and/or an Illegal Firearm”
- “The Braves Get Eliminated from Post-Season by Inferior Team… Again…”
- “Fire Mark Richt!”
- “How’d Bill Do?”
- “Yes, I’d like to cancel my AJC subscription.”
HILARIOUS! and basically true!
Journalist?
May 16th, 2011
1:32 pm
I know blogs are generally opinion pieces, but assuming there are some statistics available at the AJC, wouldn’t it have been nice if this blog could have actually included a fact or two? I guess it’s just a lot easier to make a joke about the number of MRIs Chipper has undergone than it would be to actually research the number of MRIs he has had or the number of games he has missed due to injury.
For the record, from 1996 through 2003, Chipper played in 153 games or more every year. From 2004 through 2009, his number of games played varied between 109 and 143 (which was in 2009). Last year was his lowest ever at 95 games. This year he’s played in 39 games and, unless this particular injury is a lot more serious than is currently being reported, he shouldn’t miss more than 15 games or so at the most (with this injury). That’s a lot of games played by my count.
In my opinion, this is a pointless article and a lazy attempt to take a shot at a guy who has been the face of the (arguably) most popular team in town for more than a decade. Also, unless I missed something, I’m pretty sure Chipper didn’t hurt his knee on purpose. Please don’t tell me that the last two paragraphs somehow redeem this article, especially with the snide “MRI Machine” reference. If the point of the article was really that Chipper Jones has produced great numbers despite having a lot of injuries, then the article should have said so. Instead, it essentially says: “Chipper Jones’ lasting legacy is that he was hurt all the time. And, oh yeah, he’s a Hall of Famer, too (but an MRI Machine.. tee hee).”
SB
May 16th, 2011
1:32 pm
Mark,
You’re a dick. Chipper, some of us appreciate you. Get well and take us back to the World Series.
FACTS
May 16th, 2011
1:33 pm
Play him as long as he is healthy…..sooner or later we have to think of the future at that position!!!!
dap01
May 16th, 2011
1:33 pm
Anthony, perhaps you need to save enough $ to get an internet connection and see that Chipper has been one of the best run producers in baseball this year.
TruthSeeker
May 16th, 2011
1:33 pm
The way people trash Chipper on this blog is ridiculous. Even though he doesn’t have the power that he used to, he still has an .831 OPS. That’s very good production from any spot in the order. And if you think his presence in the lineup can be easily replaced, then I would remind you of how utterly anemic our offense became after he tore his ACL last year.
But aside from that, Chipper has been loyal to the Braves during an era where loyalty in professional sports has gone the way of the dinosaur. He deserves a lot more respect than he receives from some of you.
blue
May 16th, 2011
1:34 pm
Anthony; maybe math DOESN’T lie, but there are people (like you) that use partial math to paint an inaccurate picture. What is his OBP and where is he ranked in the NL in RBI? Oh that’s right…you only want to focus on the batting average.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
1:36 pm
Let’s look more into this though since some of you seem so set against Chipper solely due to his avg(terrible indicator anyways, smarter people go off OBP, SLUG, and OPS). Chipper is 1st on the team in XBH, RBIs(tied with Prado), Walks, (of everyday players he has the fewest Ks), of players who qualify he is 1st in OBP, SLUG, and is 1st in OPS. He is also 3rd on the team in player who actually qualify for hitting stats in avg. No matter what way you try to spin in the guy is one of the most if not THE most productive play playing.
With RISP he is hitting .452(14-31) with 22 RBIs (pretty sure he trails only Mac there). He also has a .538 OBP, .677 SLUG, and 1,215 OPS.
With RISP 2 outs: .364(4-11), 5 RBIs, .462, .636, 1.098
404
May 16th, 2011
1:37 pm
Its so quiet in Athens you can hear a pin drop.
No news yet on the release of grades & academic standing for King, Crowell and Jenkins.
It would be just the latest in the on-going list of PR disasters
for UGA if Crowell or Jenkins dont qualify.
Frankly, it wont be a shock if Crowell, and Jenkins make it, but King doesnt.
I’m sure Michael Adams is doing “what he needs to do” to keep the
UGA “customers” happy.
blue
May 16th, 2011
1:37 pm
Jim Bob; since you are planning the rest of the year’s HR production based on so far, how many doubles, walks and RBI will he have?
Ricardus
May 16th, 2011
1:39 pm
And above all the above, Chipper Jones is to Atlanta what Ted Williams was to Boston. Irreplaceable!
Colonel Roy
May 16th, 2011
1:40 pm
If Hoda married Manny Mota, would she be Hoda Mota?
South ga boy in the atl
May 16th, 2011
1:42 pm
Let’s make Chipper the Leadership coach where He can make 250K a yr and help J Hey and Freeman transition to the league. Lol. So DE BRAVES FAN, your mad that the owner makes more money than the entire team. Did you stomp your feet and hold your breath after you said that, lol. I wish Liberty gave Wren more money to work with but there’s this place called “the real world” where wishes don’t always come true. Be mad at the mouth of the south for selling the team in the first place but the simple facts are: chipper is paid too much money, from limited resources, for the production. Prado could take over at 3rd for 1/4 the money and that is A FACT that you cannot argue against and you know it. The 14 million could buy a power hitter in left and you know it. The rest is just sentimentality.
59bulldawg
May 16th, 2011
1:42 pm
What are all you “Braves fans” gonna do when you don’t have Chipper to kick around any more? Yeah we all get frustrated about the injuries but probably not nearly as much has he does! The man has meant a lot to this team over the years and players of his caliber are not a dime a dozen. Enjoy whatever the man has left of his career and join me in Cooperstown in a few years to celebrate his selection to the HOF.
SweetPunkin
May 16th, 2011
1:45 pm
Wow..after all what Chipper has done for the team there are still haters..I’m too pissed to say anything except for what a freakin shame!
jerry
May 16th, 2011
1:45 pm
Oh hell, there goes the Braves World Series hopes. And they were a lock to go and beat the Yanks 4 straight.
blue
May 16th, 2011
1:46 pm
Anthony, Jim Bob, other “partial math” people. His numbers that he is on track for on the year? .275 BA, .366 OBP, .831 OPS, 16 HR, 52 2b, 108 RBI, 84 BB. Yeah…he’s clearly not contributing. Idiots…
Pilt Mappus
May 16th, 2011
1:47 pm
Does the NBA have developmental leagues for white players?
TheAntiMe
May 16th, 2011
1:47 pm
Well, you have to figure that people got to get their Chipper hating on while the hating is good. After all, he’s not going to be around for many more seasons for people to kick around. Actually, it’s too bad that he won’t be because he is probably one of the greatest pure hitters ever and if his body could somehow hold up to the age of 49 he would still be a force to be reckoned with in the batter’s box, I believe.
Dude is just is a natural born hitter just like Ted Williams was.
gcs
May 16th, 2011
1:50 pm
I am amazed it took a whole month and a half. Congratulations, Chipper!
.
phil
May 16th, 2011
1:52 pm
Now that I’ve read most of these posts, not sure what to think of people who rip and ridicule one of our best ever players over getting hurt while trying – and succeeding – to help us win. I just don’t get it.
Guys like Heyward and Uggla need to be smacked around, not Chipper….the man is 39 years old and has been better overall this year than those sorry 2 combined….honestly.
Fred
May 16th, 2011
1:57 pm
Love Chipper…he will be back.
Schafer is not even the 3rd best at AAA…..
phil
May 16th, 2011
1:57 pm
jerry
May 16th, 2011
1:45 pm
Oh hell, there goes the Braves World Series hopes. And they were a lock to go and beat the Yanks 4 straight.
Uh, Jerry? the Yanks have a few more issues than even we do…wake up.
phil
May 16th, 2011
1:58 pm
Schafer is horrible…please, don’t even mention that name….like Conman…makes me want to wretch uncontrollably until dehydrated and unconscious…
horner's corner
May 16th, 2011
2:05 pm
chipper’s pampered. send ‘em to macon for a reality check. in my day we played with pain and a little buzz if necessary.
SweetPunkin
May 16th, 2011
2:07 pm
The yanks issues have been making me grin..about time!
bocephus
May 16th, 2011
2:14 pm
chipper’s hurt and the sun rises in the east. same as it ever was.
NickGranite
May 16th, 2011
2:25 pm
Chipper has been hitting at a 100+ RBI pace all season though his average is still down a bit. For those of you who are down on him; I’ll ask you this: How often do you see a broken down 39 year old get intentionally walked multiple times to get to a 5 time silver slugger (McCann) and the leading RISP hitter in the Major Leagues?…..and don’t count your 14 million free dollars just yet. Attendance is down everywhere and the economy blows. Just because it’s freed up from Chipper’s salary doesn’t mean the braves will use it all for an outfield savior.
Newman
May 16th, 2011
2:30 pm
Chipper never learned how to play hurt. Every little hang nail keeps him out for stretches at a time.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
2:31 pm
ga south boy in the atl Give me specific names we could get. Last I checked Carl Crawford signed for more than that and look at what he is doing. Other than that there are no real LF that are/were available. To your point LF truly do not grow on trees especially power hitting LF.You just sound like an idiot.
Am I mad that the Braves owner makes more than the team? Hell yeah. You are not a fan if you are not.
Also find me exactly where Chipper is not being productive. Given his spot in the order. RISP he has on lock, Runner on, he is solid, RISP w/ 2 outs the guy is awesome, bases loaded he is tearing up (in his few ABs right now).
Also trying saying his numbers are all April numbers and guess what. I would destroy that argument too. Guess what in April Chipper and McCann were the only reason Atlanta was winning games. If it was not for them we would be in worse shape.
Neil Boorz
May 16th, 2011
2:32 pm
Chipper, the Evander Holyfield of Baseball?
Chipper has at least three more women to knock up and have about 4 more kids from those three to even sniff EH’s jock.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
2:34 pm
phil
Schafer is horrible…please, don’t even mention that name….like Conman…makes me want to wretch uncontrollably until dehydrated and unconscious…
Schafer Scahfer Scahfer. Last I checked this is actually the 1st year he has felt 100% since before he broke his wrist. I do not want him called up right now cause he is not doing awesome in AAA but he is doing relatively well given again he has not been fully healthy in almost 2 years. His strikeout rates are down though and he is currently in an 0-18 slide which has dropped his avg 37 points.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
2:44 pm
South ga boy in the atl:
Tell me exactly who Atlanta would/could get. Not many power hitter ever become available. Carl Crawford was the only star OF in FA and last I checked he was making more than Chipper. LF unlike money do not grow on trees. You just sound dumb saying that. On top as someone else said their is NO guarantee that ATL would using the $13M on an OF. From what I have seen about ownership they would pocket at least most of it.
On top am I mad the Braves owner makes more than the team? Yes. As I am sure most other Braves fans are. It is ludicrous thinking a guy is making $85M a year.
Tell me just how Chipper is not productive. The only situation involving baserunners he does not have a .400+ OBP is when no one is on. However when he is leading off innings he does. So most of his “unproductive-ness” is with 1 and most likely 2 outs with nobody on base.
Josh Smith For 3
May 16th, 2011
2:58 pm
I would hardly call Chipper a hole in the lineup. For as much as he gets injured, he still makes managers uncomfortable when he bats with RISP and often gets pitched around anyways. He’s been doing well so far this year so I don’t see any reason to panic and act like he’s holding the team back. If the Braves are really contenders then they’ll manage for 2 weeks without Chipper in the lineup.
GoBraves!
May 16th, 2011
3:02 pm
South ga boy in the atl, who’s this power hitting LF the Braves could have signed you’re talking about? Some of noticable power hitting LFs in the game are all locked up long term and/or making even more than Chipper. Bautista signed 5 year deal before this season. Braun’s signed through 2015 or something. I think Holliday is making more than $18M per year as well as Soriano. I agree $14 mil sounds much for 39 year old 3rd baseman relatively speaking but it wasn’t like there’s an easy alternative even if he just retired. And he’s been playing pretty well. His OPS+ is still 129.
smallmouth6
May 16th, 2011
3:20 pm
I hope Chipper finishes out his contract and keeps providing greater depth to this team.
Huh?
May 16th, 2011
3:28 pm
As long as we’re bashing the Chipster, let me add: He’s been with the Braves for 18 or so years and has been on 1 championship. Keep in mind that on that 1 championship team he was probably the 8th best player and 5th best hitter, more or less. When he’s been the go-to guy the Braves are World Series winless.
TNBravesFan
May 16th, 2011
3:29 pm
I feel like this is the perfect time to go out and sign Scott Podsednik. I know he hasn’t hit great early this year, but he’s got a lot of speed and a very serviceable OF. We could put him at lead off and put Prado in the 3 hole (this is all assuming Chipper goes on the DL) which would give us a better opportunity to score more runs in my opinion. I’m not downing Chipper by any means, just looking ahead to what steps the Braves could take.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
3:38 pm
Yeah Huh? and tell me just how many WS wins the Cards have in a decade with Pujols. or how many WS wins the Mariners had with A-Rod, Griffey, and The Unit. One player does not make up a team.
Mitchell
May 16th, 2011
3:48 pm
I’m not saying Chipper isn’t a first ballot Hall of Famer but usually guys with sub-500 home run and sub-3,000 hit totals don’t get in in their first try.
And when exactly did Johnny Damon get 2,600 hits? Where did that come from?
I never even heard of the guy until about seven or eight years ago.
Hard to believe that idiot has more hits than Chipper. And by idiot I’m not referencing the time the Red Sox labeled themselves “the Idiots.”
I mean, he’s like been hit in the head one too many times. That was probably the smartest idea any of them had ever come up with in retrospect.
Anyway…
Dawg '88
May 16th, 2011
4:06 pm
Richard Dawson….thanks for showing your true colors. You did not respond with any facts just insults. Lack of intelligent response from you is now not surprising. Its obvious that you are the insecure flame thrower. When the best you can come up with is to attack me personally…its shows that you have no logic and your insecurity about total lack of knowledge in any area sane.
Richard…Go Kiss an 80 year old goat….you old goat!
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
4:06 pm
Mitchell you are right that most guys with less than 500 HR or 3000 hits do not make it in BUT switch hitting is an art. It takes mastering 2 different swings (even if they appear the same to normal fans). Chipper is arguably the best all-around switch hitter in history. He had power, contact, and some speed.
samantha snugglebits
May 16th, 2011
4:12 pm
chipper is the lebron james of major league baseball. all hat and no cattle.
extremus
May 16th, 2011
4:26 pm
As frustrating as it is both for fans and the team, leveling criticism at Chipper over the frequency of injuries is unfair. Given how we were saying he might not even BE back this season or ever again after his knee blew out last year, I’ll take him being out only two weeks in a hurry given not only his production so far this season but also the leadership he’s been showing on the field. It could be a whole lot worse, everyone.
What is a bit more concerning is all of these mounting injuries beginning to occur on the team. Moylan’s back is the most serious, but fortunately Beachy, Heyward, Chipper, and others who are banged up shouldn’t miss too much time. Injuries are the one wildcard you simply can’t predict going into a season, and the team that has the most overall depth (including its farm system) will be able to handle them the best over the course of a 162-game season. Fortunately the Braves have a wealth of superb prospects (particularly pitchers) in their farm system, who could end up contributing to the team on the field or perhaps being used to acquire more veteran help wherever the need arises.
Anthony
May 16th, 2011
4:30 pm
OK folks, those had the over for May 15th as the day Chipper gets hurt, sorry. However, you may still be in the running for the over/under of 86 games played this year. Bradley, first ballot HOF? Need to recend your voting rights if you think Chopper has first ballot credentials. Where is the dominant power, average, RBI, gold gloves compared to other HOF third basemen, let alone first ballot HOFers. He may get in based on time served numbers (18 years). But other than 1 MVP season, Larry never dominated the league in any category. He’s been good, seldom great.
Pig Farmers Local 42
May 16th, 2011
4:32 pm
U rednecks look at the numbers. Far and away greatest 3rd baseman in Braves history. One of top 2 greatest Switch-hitters in MLB history. He’s 6′4′ and skinny. Of course hes gonna get hurt from time to time. Hate on someone else, say our overrated right fielder, or our useless mgr who whose team has 6 stolen bases thru 30 some-odd games.
samantha snugglebits
May 16th, 2011
4:38 pm
pig,
i’d take bob horner any day of the week.
Just saying...
May 16th, 2011
4:41 pm
Good comments from extremus.
Mark, while the body of your column wasn’t anti-Chipper I think the headline seems as well as the opening lines to be anti-Chipper. In many cases if he had the MRI quicker (as in the torn ligament in his toe years ago to be specific) he would have had the proper treatment earlier. This guy loves baseball, the Atlanta Braves, his teammates, and the fans who respect his time with his family. He has never tried to get the most for playing and has given back money to the team to help the team in the past. He hustles and plays the game of baseball as it should be played which is not the rule these days (see Saturday for recent evidence).
It irks me when people who sit on their butts all day and have no idea what it is like to train and perform on a high level are critical of his injuries.
He is a 1st ballot HOFer and it will be our loss when he can no longer oplay at his high level. Enjoy it while we can and quit being so damn critical.
PureEvil
May 16th, 2011
4:43 pm
Most familiar question asked by AJC readers:
When are we going to get some decent writers?
Just saying...
May 16th, 2011
4:44 pm
Yo Samantha,
Bob Horner never was hurt, was he?
Let's Go Bravos!
May 16th, 2011
4:47 pm
Pureeveil,
The better question is when are we going to get some decent bloggers? These people that are bashing Chipper are insane and must not know too much about baseball. He’s still leading the team in RBI’s by the way
samantha snugglebits
May 16th, 2011
4:50 pm
horner had chief noc-a-homa, 4 homers in a game, and the best curls in the league.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
4:53 pm
Samantha snugglebits. You are nuts. Chipper puts Norner to shame. .300 avg to Horner’s .277, .400 OBP to .340, .535 Slug to Horner’s .499, Better discipline, and more clutch(Horner never drove in more than 97). Chipper also had more speed. In 5 straight year Chipper stole as many or more bases in a season as Horner did in a career. Then throw in ASG and SS Chipper has this on lock. 2nd best position player in Atlanta’s history.
Larvell Blanks
May 16th, 2011
4:55 pm
Old Dawg 11:23 – “I make this complaint every year and I know it won’t go anywhere, but why is the acronym Runs Batted In now referred to as RBIs? It’s absolutely weird how the term has changed through the years. I understand that players say ribbies etc, but it’s still Runs Batted In, not Runs Batted Ins.”
And you would be wrong every year, because “RBI” is not simply a shorthand way of saying “Run(s) Batted In.” Rather, it has acquired independent meaning as a term unto itself. When someone says a batter got an RBI, he is not merely saving time by saying the first letters of “run batted in” — he’s using “RBI” as a term of its own. An RBI is what you get when you bat someone in, and you get two of them if you bat two people in — hence, RBIs.
Here’s proof — when you speak, do you say “a RBI” or “an RBI”? Clearly, you say “an RBI,” even though you would say “a” run batted in. If you have to use the same grammatical conventions when saying “RBI” as you would when saying “run(s) batted in,” then you would have to say “a RBI.” But you don’t.
TruthSeeker
May 16th, 2011
4:56 pm
“Where is the dominant power, average, RBI, gold gloves compared to other HOF third basemen, let alone first ballot HOFers.”
If you’re just going by statistics, you could make the case that Chipper is the greatest offensive 3B of all-time. He is career batting average is about 35 points higher than both Mike Schmidt and Eddie Matthews, who are considered the two greatest third baseman ever by most people. He also has a better slugging percentage than either one of those two men.
Gold Gloves are the only thing that separates Schmidt and Chipper.
“He’s been good, seldom great.”
Chipper has posted an OPS of 1.000 five different times. You wouldn’t know greatness if it smacked you in the forehead.
samantha snugglebits
May 16th, 2011
5:04 pm
horner was the 2nd greatest brave ever, slightly behind claudell washington.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
5:04 pm
samantha snugglebits
horner was the 2nd greatest brave ever, slightly behind claudell washington.
Trollolololololol
samantha snugglebits
May 16th, 2011
5:13 pm
Longtime lurker, first time troller? Anywho, the Braves from 1978 to 1986 were magical and relatable. These prima-donnas that represent today’s game are vapid and distant. I’ll take the good ole day’s any day. So, suck it DE faux braves fan.
JCSmalls
May 16th, 2011
5:17 pm
It sucks and it gets annoying, but am I the only one that isn’t concerned about Heyward and his injuries?
Larvell Blanks
May 16th, 2011
5:18 pm
DE Braves Fan 4:06 – “Mitchell you are right that most guys with less than 500 HR or 3000 hits do not make it in BUT switch hitting is an art. It takes mastering 2 different swings (even if they appear the same to normal fans). Chipper is arguably the best all-around switch hitter in history. He had power, contact, and some speed.”
I’m a huge Chipper fan, but this argument is completely bass-ackwards. The whole point of switch-hitting is that it’s supposed to make you a BETTER hitter — if you could hit .300 right-handed, you don’t get degree-of-difficulty points for switch-hitting and batting .280. If I’m comparing two hitters, I don’t say, “Well, this guy hit for lower average and less power than the other guy, but he did it both ways!”
So I’ve never understood the bit about comparing Chipper mainly to other switch-hitters, and saying “he’s the best/second-best/third-best switch-hitter in the history of the game.” (For the record, the only competition is Mantle). While that may be interesting, it says nothing about his relative ranking as a historical figure. Chipper’s a great hitter because he hits for average, hits for power, and gets on base, not because he does it switch-hitting.
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
5:18 pm
JCSmalls… no you are not
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
5:21 pm
As far as being called a faux braves fan I am not the one trolling. You are the one saying Horner is the 2nd best Braves when stats and logic clearly say otherwise
DE Braves Fan
May 16th, 2011
5:28 pm
Larvell you clearly do not understand it then. If switch hitting makes you better than why do not most people do it? Cause it takes time and a lot of knowledge. Yes, you get the “advantage” against every pitcher but you need to know both swings inside and out and how to fix the different problems you have. Switch hitting is hard even though it “make one better”. I get what you are saying but doing it as a switch hitter is more remarkable. Yes Chipper is great because of the number he put up but he gets a step up cause he can switch hit.
Where's the JUICE
May 16th, 2011
5:36 pm
You can’t tell me Chipper didn’t Juice-up like other big hitters. Now he’s missing it. Call him Chipper “the Juiced” Jones.
Yet Another New Low for Bradley and the AJC
May 16th, 2011
5:40 pm
Bradley, do the letters F and U mean anything to you and the AJC? Why would you post a headline like that if you weren’t trying to throw the man under the bus? Honestly.
Why would you insist on wallowing in the man’s misery (not to mention the team and real fans)?
Admit it, you’ve been dying to put something like that out there the minute there might be a sniff of some type of injury.
Your occupation, catering to “hits” and “bloggers”, has become quite the cheap existance, hasn’t it?
Nice way to treat a career home town Hall of Famer. Hope you’re proud.
smoltzie
May 16th, 2011
5:42 pm
chipper can come out on the Sr PGA tour with me and finish in 2nd place behind me when i dominate that tour.
sincerely,
tiger the liar woods told me i am great so it must be so
sidney
May 16th, 2011
5:45 pm
chipper is the ron mexico of the braves
samantha snugglebits
May 16th, 2011
5:58 pm
I’d take Al Hrabosky over any of today’s Braves pitchers. The man had no fear.
Bobby Cox
May 16th, 2011
6:14 pm
He is a sissy. If he were my wife I would punch him right in the mouth. Actually that sounds like a good idea anyway. Be right back.
Ron
May 16th, 2011
6:17 pm
Are you “FIRST” idiots the same ones that attend golf tournaments and scream “GO IN THE HOLE” as soon as someone hits a shot? Get a life.
JRW7
May 16th, 2011
6:21 pm
Chipper hurt again. $14 million per year for 162 games is $86419 per game, thats a lot of money!!!
Norman C.
May 16th, 2011
6:24 pm
So what else is new!! This has become an annual occurance and as good as Chipper is, it is time for the Braves to consider who they have to play 3b regularly. Chipper might be good for bench strength and leadership for the young guns coming up.
DHD
May 16th, 2011
6:32 pm
@Yet Another New Low for Bradley and the AJC : because there is no real journalism here. The AJC is SO unprofessional.
Jason
May 16th, 2011
6:36 pm
Chipper hurt is better than most that are heathy. We missed him in the playoffs last year, hopefully he will be ready this year, prado too, and wagner was out as well and we almost won anyway, wow ! Get well Chip, you are one of the greatest to play mlb, I’m glad you play for the Braves, anyone else that says different does not know much about baseball, just sayin’.
Phillip Miller
May 16th, 2011
6:44 pm
After reading a lot of negative comments on Chipper Jones status. I looked up some of the other high paid infielders. I looked into their whole careers. Arod , Jeter, Wright and a few others, Chippers’ number are right there with all of them. Look at the numbers and Chipper is a bargain compared to Arod. I can’t begin to understand the money, but Chipper is a competitor. Most of the Braves are, if not I wouldn’t keep up with them and pull for them to win it all. I know you people have the right to your opinions, but your like people who pay to watch the Braves and then boo them for making an error or striking out. It’s like you think they did it on purpose , just to tick you off. Well I feel a lot better now.
MitchC
May 16th, 2011
7:06 pm
Mark, you mentioned how Chipper is still the every day Brave who matters most. While that may be true, it is also unfortunate. The reality is.. at almost 40 years old, and with his injury history the last few years, how can we really count on him as our “Big guy”.
At this point in his career, we probably really couldnt count on anything more from Chipper than say.. 120-130 games, maybe 15 to 20 homers, and 70 RBIS. Dan Uggla, with being younger, and such, should really be seen as our main power hitter at this point, along with Mccann, Heyward, etc. Chipper should really be more of a “compliment”, then a main run producer.
You may not agree, but.. I try to look at things realistically, especially with how much Chipper has been hurt the last few years.
Phillip Miller
May 16th, 2011
7:10 pm
Also , just going by the numbers Chipper will probably be at the top of the all time list. I just checked a few, Boggs , Brett and Matthews. Think I’ll go watch the Braves now.
Bob in Cobb
May 16th, 2011
7:42 pm
“He has also undergone (loose estimate) 1,518 MRIs.”
By now the poor guy probably glows in the dark.
GoBraves!
May 16th, 2011
8:49 pm
There are 10 third basemen in Hall of Fame. If Chipper retires today, he would rank tied for 6th in AVG, 2nd in OBP, 1st in SLG, 1st in OPS, 3rd in HRs, 3rd in RBIs, and 2nd in Runs among the best 3rd basemen in the history of MLB. Of course, A Rod will bump him down in many of these categories when he retires and go into HOF as 3rd baseman but it’s clear Chipper belongs in HOF at 1st try.
ugapip
May 16th, 2011
8:51 pm
Brandon, You don’t read very well do you? Mark did say his right knee.
Michael
May 16th, 2011
9:40 pm
I feel sorry for the Braves. They have a living legend playing at Turner Field and a fan base (and sports writer?) that can’t wait to fall all over themselves trying to knock him. How many games he has played doesn’t mean a thing compared to what he has accomplished on the field. He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest third basemen in the history of baseball. Not that many in Atlanta will ever appreciate that. I guess I shouldn’t expect too much from a town that can’t sell out a playoff game.
Ryan Churchy
May 16th, 2011
10:24 pm
At least we don’t have David Wright. Chipper is/was an ironman compared to Wright, who is what, 10 years younger than Chipper.
Ron Hyatt
May 16th, 2011
10:44 pm
Told you so. Last year. But hey, what do I know.
KakNiqueTree
May 17th, 2011
1:00 am
Josh Smith, ‘First’ waiting for the day you post ‘I Have A Jump Shot Now’
Bradley, dogging Chipper like that. Yes he’s injury-prone, but get off his back. There’s only one Cal Ripken Jr.
Andrew
May 17th, 2011
10:45 am
Mark, I would certainly not call you a baseball “expert”, I’ll reserve that term for David O’ Brian. You rarely write articles based on any on-field happenings or positive Atlanta news. Every article you scrap out is a negative, worthless read. I am not convinced yet whether you hate the Braves (and the majority of ATL based sports) or you have no clue about them wheich leads you to write about the things you hear on bigger, national news networks. Most Atlanta sports fans consider you sort of a “joke” anyway. Maybe it’s time to find something else to do with your time.
Chief pitchanono
May 17th, 2011
11:26 am
Yeah when you look at the big picture this injury is almost not even news worthy. Only out two weeks (if he has to have the procedure) Guess that means the sure handed Prado at third and the hot hitting Hinske in L. Oh No! What are we gonna do!!! ha ha Nothing against Chipper, but the team is well prepared for his DL stints. Chipper has played better than anyone could have expected do far and I personally believe he’s been in there too much so far. He needs the time off and Hinske needs the AB’s so maybe they will rest him a little more. Maybe its centimental stuff, but I would love to see him healthy and productive for another September & October playoff run. I think thats when the team needs him most, but they have to keep up an running through 162 first. Good Luck Chipper and Go Braves!!
fuzzybee
May 18th, 2011
12:16 pm
Obviously I don’t know any more than the next guy but when I see chronic ligament and muscle tear injuries, I think steroids. Maybe not now but maybe sometime in the past.
Joy
May 19th, 2011
11:35 am
I don’t know, seems like the remark I hear the most is – Mark Bradley is a jerk. Do you ever have anything positive to say about the Braves?
william in pasadena
May 21st, 2011
8:48 pm
Hey Foghorn, are you out there? Break blog, for Foghorn. Foghorn, come in! Remember all these smart @#*#$ on this blog at the beginning of the season? Chipper didn’t last very long, huh? They all should apologize to TP for their dumb comments about him. New hitting coach and the Braves look worse than they did last year. FG looks like Bobby Cox reincarnated. Hiller back Foghorn.
Jason
May 21st, 2011
8:51 pm
Go suck an egg Mark. We are sick of your negativity.