He’s about to turn 40, but Chipper Jones is still a mighty man
The knee needed draining, but the power? It's remaining. (AP photo by John Bazemore)
It is not my intent to write about Chipper Jones every day of calendar 2012, but let’s face it: The guy IS amazing.
Hurts his knee in spring training before he can announce his impending retirement, has arthroscopic surgery, recuperates blurry-fast and is ready to go in the season’s fifth game, hits a home run in his first game back.
Plays two games in Houston (the Braves’ first two wins of calendar 2012), sees his knee swell on the plane home, gets 45 cc’s of gunk drained during Friday’s home opener, then returns Sunday and hits a home run in his first home game of his final season (another win).
The Braves so far: 2-4 when Chipper doesn’t play, 3-0 when he does.
Even in his final go-round, he remains a major presence in the field, in the clubhouse, even in the dugout. You’ll recall that the Braves had men on second and third with one out in the eighth inning of Friday’s tie game. Dan Uggla was up, Matt Diaz on deck. The Brewers might have walked Uggla to pitch to Diaz — or, more likely, a left-handed pinch-hitter against Francisco Rodriguez. Except that the Braves had used Eric Hinske, their best lefty pinch-hitter, which meant they were down to Juan Francisco. Except that the Brewers didn’t know that.
What did Fredi Gonzalez do? Had Chipper — who’d just had the knee drained an hour earlier and wasn’t going to budge from the bench — grab a bat in the dugout. Maybe the Brewers would have pitched to Uggla anyway, but the notion of having Chipper walk to the plate with the bases loaded had to register. K-Rod worked to Uggla and broke his bat but, owing to the scooted-in infield, saw the game-winning hit dribble through. (And people say Fredi is a terrible strategist.)
Say what you will about Chipper — and by this late date everyone has said absolutely everything, pro and con — but the guy is still and has always been a big-time ballplayer. Yes, with better knees he’d have been even better longer, but even with bad wheels he has been great. Eight days shy of his 40th birthday, he’s still pretty great.
By Mark Bradley
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162 comments Add your comment
reckingball
April 16th, 2012
12:30 pm
I kid.
JSS
April 16th, 2012
12:31 pm
There’s a plate of crow that will never make the oven… Still, it is a recurring theme each year since 2004 that Chipper is going to morph into Jackson, Mantle, Bench, or Musial and carry them to the championship glory…
Sonny Clusters
April 16th, 2012
12:38 pm
If you had deer antlers tattooed on your arms you would be a little self conscious, too, about showing them off because you never know when a deer will be watching the game and become wary of you when you are in the woods up in a tree with nothing but a high powered rifle, a Mr. Potato Head, and some comic books. If the deer are better informed they become more difficult to hunt. When deer slayers are spotted from now on their faces should be posted in the woods for all the little deer to see. Someday, a really smart deer may set a trap.
habberdash
April 16th, 2012
12:50 pm
chipper plays pretty good d. He’s not a rangey as he once was, but he’s got a great arm and rarely throws it away. Hard to bunt on–ask Schafer about that.
Ostrich Racer
April 16th, 2012
1:04 pm
Clusters invoked Sonny Jackson (who would fight you, if you got him mad) and Larvell Blanks (who would not — Sugarbear was a lover, not a fighter). For my money, Pastornicky looks like the Second Coming of Pat Rockett.
Ebenezer Snerdberg
April 16th, 2012
1:05 pm
reckinball,I don’t! He’s worthless! Never been in a game he hasn’t givin’ up a dinger!
ole dawg
April 16th, 2012
1:08 pm
What the Bravos did with the money that Chipper gave back in the earlier years of his contract is not Chipper’s problem. He gave them money back and that is a fact. Even with that you can still put up a fairly convincing argument that he is worth the 13 mil THIS SEASON when considering all that he brings to the table. My 14 year old daughter is smart enough to know that he is special. She has asked if we can go to the Ted and watch him play 3-4 times since it is his last season. We’ll be doing our part to help cover that 13 mil and I am sure there are other families just like us. Respect the man and quit your whining!
reckingball
April 16th, 2012
1:13 pm
ES…….Sorry, but I don’t understand what you are trying to say.
reckingball
April 16th, 2012
1:20 pm
Ebenezer…..Ok, you are saying that you don’t “kid”, I am assuming.
I was kidding, because KEN Norton was a heavywieght boxer, Greg Norton was the professional pinch hitter, that had one good year with the Braves, and then the next year Bobby, would send him in to kill rallies.
It’s all good. Just having some good, clean fun.
go bbraves
Sherewshevsky
April 16th, 2012
1:25 pm
Great Chipper story.
Denis Menke's Uncle
April 16th, 2012
1:27 pm
Well the Braves sweep the Milwaukee Drug Positives. How great. This team is still lousy. They finally met a lousy team playing equally as lousy. They will not hang. Sell off by July 31st.
lefty fielder
April 16th, 2012
1:30 pm
sorry, but Daryl Chaney strikes the most fear in braves fans
Ebenezer Snerdberg
April 16th, 2012
1:31 pm
Yo, ‘Reck, Norton was a good pugilist, Norton had to have help finding home plate to strike out. I still say he had reveling pix of Bobby Cox! I do kid, but not with that drunk-mo!
GO BRAVES!
Fire Fredi Cox, Roger McCox!
crackbaby
April 16th, 2012
1:37 pm
Chipper Jones is a professional hitter. The only one on the Braves roster.
If Chipper can play 100 games and mentor the kids, he’ll earn his money. Would be nice to see him go .300/ 25 / 80 in his final year.
@JSS and other classless whiners please keep your misguided opinions to yourself.
crackbaby
April 16th, 2012
1:44 pm
This year’s Braves have so much unproven potential. Should be an exciting year if they produce.
If Micheal Bourn starts getting on base regularly, the top of lineup could be wicked good. Bourn, Prado, Chipper, McCann, Uggla.
Then if the kids Freeman and Heyward light up, Braves could produce like American League teams.
If, if, if…… GO BRAVES!
reckingball
April 16th, 2012
1:49 pm
Btw, Bourne was safe at 2nd, on that pitchout.
Mark (another one)
April 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
If you get the screen jumps, try using a browser other than Internet Explorer 9. It drives me crazy but Firefox doesn’t do it.
Chipper is my all time favorite Atlanta Brave. He guts it up when he can and keeps playing. Bad knees are the only thing keeping this 40 year old from being an MVP candidate. Complain about his salary all you want, but he is a great entertainer and I bet the numbers would show that he is a great value for the Braves. He sells seats, refreshments and lots of collectables.
Whomever replaces Chipper at 3rd next year, they will forever be viewed in a shadow. Replacing a great player, coach, etc. is a difficult task. They never measure up. Chipper is a certain HOF player, and even if the next guy has a great career, he will be measured against Chipper.
42
April 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
It is so idiotic to make everyone wear 42. I realize that it signifies the first black man in the majors. Why must we celebrate it all the time? Move on…if you continue to relive the past then the past will be all you live.
Herschel Talker
April 16th, 2012
2:07 pm
kappellmeister:
You’re right about clubhouse leadership. Let him take a coaching position, where he can both lead in the clubhouse and free up some salary so we can go get some better players who will play every day.
HT
DeepDiver
April 16th, 2012
2:10 pm
Sonny had me laughing audibly re: the 12 point buck in the infield comment.
What people forget about Chipper is that he took a lot less money over the course of a lot of years as a hometown discount as opposed to what he could have gotten in the market.
He also agreed to take millions less up front and voluntarily rework his deal so that the Braves could remain competitive in the free agent market when the window of the golden years was closing. Not to mention his moving all around the field to accommodate lesser players — how many all-stars will put their ego to the side and do that?
People want to moan about his dollar figure now, but it all comes out in the wash and he is on his way out at about the right time. Hell, he’s still the best hitter in that lineup and still has one of the most pure, natural, sweet swings in the game.
DeepDiver
April 16th, 2012
2:15 pm
He played over 140 games every year from 1995 – 2004; over 150 games in 8 of those years. Hit .364 in 128 games in 2008 at 36.
UNDERpaid for his career. Consider the last three years of his deal as deferred compensation and move along.
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:35 pm
I’ll take chipper limping in the clutch any day over anybody in our lineup. Brian is the closest we have to him.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
2:35 pm
Why all the love for Chiper? He needs 2 retrie now. He is holding this team back with his shelfish atitude. He needs 2 let a younger player get neded exprience. Insead he insist up on remaining on the rooster and playin 1 out off ever 3 games.
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:36 pm
And there are a lot of players making more than chipper and not nearly as productive.
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:38 pm
Just which one of the younger guys would you suggest?
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:38 pm
Last I checked we have a winning record now. Right
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:41 pm
Hey Losing…….how long have you been watching the Braves.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
2:42 pm
I not a cool aid drinker like U
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
2:43 pm
Chris from the Rock
April 16th, 2012
10:30 am
5 words I can’t wait to hear: Chad Durbin designated for assignment
YES!!!!! Thats a change i can believe in!!!!
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
2:43 pm
and Beeting up on the lowey Astros is not a major feet. N E one can whup them. The Braves almost let them win the last game. Wait till they have 2 face the Natoinals.
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
2:47 pm
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
2:35 pm
Why all the love for Chiper? He needs 2 retrie now. He is holding this team back with his shelfish atitude. He needs 2 let a younger player get neded exprience. Insead he insist up on remaining on the rooster and playin 1 out off ever 3 games.
Your an idiot…
With your host, Bob Eubanks!!!
April 16th, 2012
2:48 pm
Can you believe all we gave away were crappy appliances?
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:49 pm
I like Kool aid… Nice summer drink
Hindu Elvis Pimp
April 16th, 2012
2:49 pm
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
2:47 pm
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
2:35 pm
Why all the love for Chiper? He needs 2 retrie now. He is holding this team back with his shelfish atitude. He needs 2 let a younger player get neded exprience. Insead he insist up on remaining on the rooster and playin 1 out off ever 3 games.
Your an idiot…
Uhhhhh……Don’t you mean “You’re”
Guess it’s true……Takes one to know one.
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:50 pm
But I like Miller Lite also
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
2:51 pm
Why U calling me names? I am rite U no. Chipper need 2 retire now.
Hindu Elvis Pimp
April 16th, 2012
2:52 pm
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:50 pm
But I like Miller Lite also
You do know Miller Lite was originally created for and marketed to women?
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:54 pm
Loosing….you are not an idiot, just confused
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
2:54 pm
Hindu Elvis Pimp
April 16th, 2012
2:49 pm
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
2:47 pm
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
2:35 pm
Why all the love for Chiper? He needs 2 retrie now. He is holding this team back with his shelfish atitude. He needs 2 let a younger player get neded exprience. Insead he insist up on remaining on the rooster and playin 1 out off ever 3 games.
Your an idiot…
Uhhhhh……Don’t you mean “You’re”
Guess it’s true……Takes one to know one.
hmmmm…. didnt know we was takn dem grammarr classe on da blogs…. Guess YOUR an idiot too! haha
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
2:55 pm
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
2:51 pm
Why U calling me names? I am rite U no. Chipper need 2 retire now.
I hope he comes back next year
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
2:55 pm
Hindo……not aware of the Miller story. Interesting info. Thanks
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
2:56 pm
oh wait not YOUR i mean YUR
Hindu Elvis Pimp
April 16th, 2012
2:57 pm
Well, you defeat your purpose of calling someone an idiot if you don’t know the correct use of your or you’re.
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
2:59 pm
Hindu Elvis Pimp
April 16th, 2012
2:57 pm
Well, you defeat your purpose of calling someone an idiot if you don’t know the correct use of your or you’re.
Your momma…
You’re not gonna like the story
Totally get it
Ostrich Racer
April 16th, 2012
3:00 pm
Well, this conversation certainly took a depressing turn . . . .
Jo Nicca
April 16th, 2012
3:05 pm
If only this was a grammar blog, then I could see someone butting in their (or wait there or wait they’re)(haha) two cents worth. Otherwise the Hindu should have kept (here we go again) their (or wait there or wait they’re) mouth shut
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
3:06 pm
I think this is a funny back and forth
Hindu Elvis Pimp
April 16th, 2012
3:07 pm
@ Smitty….
U R welcome! HA!
Before prohibition, the average lager sold in north America was much heavier compared to the lagers consumed by most now. When prohibition was lifted, breweries made large batches of high gravity beer, which was then watered down in an effort to increase production to meet the demand. Since the beer sold so well, they breweries stuck with the lighter recipes. When WWII came about, cereal grains, including those needed to make beer were rationed. The brewers were forced to make an even lighter beer. Also, the majority of beer drinkers were away at war, leaving women the primary consumer of beer. Market research indicated most women preferred a lighter beer. When WWII ended, the breweries realize they cold sell the even lighter beer, thus increasing their profits. Based upon market research in an effort to sell more beer, Miller produced and marketed Lite beer to women. It’s popularity was phenomenal. Based upon prior experiences with selling lighter beer and increased profits, Miller then focused on the male segment of their consumers to market light beer……The rest is the sad history of adjunct lager beer in north America….Until Fritz Maytag bought Anchor Brewing……
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
3:07 pm
Ok….I am going to put you time out if you don’t get back to baseball discussions
Smitty
April 16th, 2012
3:09 pm
Well at least we are learning some interesting stuff