Jeter on Chipper: ‘One of the greatest ever to play the game’
The Derek Jeter of the American League greets the Derek Jeter of the National League. Much respect all around.
Sometimes familiarity really does breed contempt. Sometimes it takes a visitor to remind us locals how good we have it. This was Derek Jeter, speaking Tuesday about Chipper Jones: “A lot of time consistency gets overlooked. I’m not saying people in Atlanta don’t appreciate him, but you probably appreciate him a little bit more not being here.”
And maybe you do. If you judge by the squeaky-wheel comments on AJC.com, Chipper Jones has become the Braves’ albatross: Too old, too frail, too high-salaried. But here you had the most respected player in the sport addressing the man who might be, at least within baseball itself, the second-most respected. Here you had Jeter, who’s 37, fairly gushing over Chipper, who’s 40 and who will retire at season’s end.
Jeter: “I always admired Chipper. I followed him a lot in the minor leagues … I used [Chipper's early struggles] as [proof] someone was able to turn things around.”
Struggles? Well, yeah. We forget now, but the first player taken in the 1990 draft made 56 errors playing shortstop in the Class A Sally League in 1991. Two years later, another shortstop — this one taken sixth overall in 1992 — would make the same number of errors in the same Sally League.
Parallel lines: Come 1995, Chipper Jones was a world champion and almost the National League rookie of the year. Come 1996, Derek Jeter was a world champion and the American League rookie of the year. And on they would go, Jones winning MVP in 1999 and a batting title at age 36, Jeter winning MVP of the 2000 All-Star Game (staged at Turner Field) and the 2000 World Series, both on the express train to Cooperstown from almost the moment they arrived in the majors.
Jeter on Chipper: “He’s a Hall of Famer. He’s someone who will go down as one of the greatest ever to play the game. All the accolades, he deserves. All the good things, he deserves.”
Chipper on Jeter: “He’s such a great face for baseball. He’s like Cal Ripken. He deserves everything he gets.”
There was a time when Jones was less enamored of Jeter. His Yankees snatched the 1996 World Series from the Braves, and in 1999 they executed a nearly effortless sweep. (Without Andres Galarraga and Javy Lopez, the ‘99 Braves went as far as they did only because Chipper went Superman on the other New York team.)
Chipper: “I had a dislike for DJ — more like a jealousy.But once I got a chance to know him, that changed completely.”
It changed because they were teammates on Team USA in the World Baseball Classic of 2006 and 2009, and class gravitated to class. Chipper on Jeter: “He’s humble beyond belief, even though he’s got every right to have his head in the clouds.”
For the record, the two have never discussed the infamous-in-Atlanta Game 4 of the 1996 World Series, the night the pinch-hitter Jim Leyritz turned on Mark Wohlers’ third-best pitch. Let the record reflect that Larry Wayne Jones Sr. once told Larry Wayne Jr.: “The Yankees stole Team of the ’90s from you.” Let the record also reflect that Jeter, five times a World Series winner, does not gloat.
“We were looking at all those flags {representing the run of 14 division titles] out there, and that’s pretty impressive,” he said. “It takes a lot of breaks to win a championship. We caught a lot of breaks through the years. Atlanta has a lot to be proud of.”
A few years ago, the then-ESPN analyst Steve Phillips called Chipper Jones “the Derek Jeter of the National League,” and the comparison was apt. Both were drafted to play shortstop. Both became pillars of consistent excellence. Unless the Yankees lose their mind, both will exit have worn only one team’s uniform, a rarity in the time of free agency. One will be remembered as the greatest switch-hitter of his era, the other as the most elegant Yankee since DiMaggio.
Speaking of Chipper, Jeter could easily have been speaking of himself: “When you watch him play, he looks like a baseball player — everything about him.”
Yep. And we in Atlanta have been fortunate to watch him every step of the way. But we should thank Derek Jeter for underscoring what we should have known all along.
And certainly the great Brave won’t begrudge the great Yankee one gentle jibe. “Chipper’s older than me,” Jeter said, smiling. “He’s been around a little bit longer. Make sure you get that.”
By Mark Bradley
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138 comments Add your comment
bulldogbubba
June 15th, 2012
11:38 am
In all things “what have you done for me lately”. Selah.
Toodle Poodle
June 15th, 2012
11:38 am
Chipper’s talent is undeniable, but he has from day one carried and air of arrogance and self-centeredness. However, as is always the case, this was simply a disguise of insecurity born of a questionable moral compass, as exemplified in his private behavior and what will soon be his 3rd wife probably in his 40’s.
Kudos on being able to type your comments from atop your high horse. However, I must point out your glaring error: Chipper has only been married twice. Lots of regular Joes in their 40’s, with far fewer problems than that of a professional athlete, have been married twice.
GIMPER JONES can't even........
June 15th, 2012
11:43 am
Gimper Jones – the washed up – disabled – soon to be divorced has been 3rd basement cannot even begin to carry the jock strap of Derek Jeter……we will be fine without him and hopefully without that low rent no rate manager Fredi as well…….
Nittany Lion
June 15th, 2012
11:44 am
Since Chipper has come back from the DL he has swung early in the count and has not made solid contact yet. Talk about working the count.
Pitbull
June 15th, 2012
11:45 am
I watched Eddie Mathews struggle with his body in his final year in the majors.
Now I see Chipper Jones doing the same thing.
It’s sad to see them age. The spirit is willing, but the body gives out.
Eddie got to 500 plus home runs. Wish Chipper could.
Both were great assets for the Braves. Hope Chipper heals up and enjoys retirement.
Fats OKelly
June 15th, 2012
11:54 am
One word response to ya, Chad…………………….Cal Ripken, Jr
SSIgator
June 15th, 2012
11:55 am
Ah, yes. Longing for wife beater/wife cheater combo of Booby Cox and the Chumpster. Those were the good old days.
Dawgdad (The Original)
June 15th, 2012
12:11 pm
Chipper and Jeter are both classy players with tremendous stats over lengthy careers. Much to be appreciated about both, but the criticism of Chipper is not unfair.
He is like Bill Elliot trying to win a race in Atlanta and coming to the last lap with a flat tire. You wish he would have gone a little sooner, before all the criticism started. He is giving his all and doing what he can, but obviously is not the player of 5 years ago.
Jeter is three years younger. Wait til he gets 40-41 and no matter how great he is, if he stays one year too long the folks in NYC will eat his lunch. He will get the same criticism as Chipper. It happened to Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. These two have to expect the same.
P Rose
June 15th, 2012
12:12 pm
We got Chipper, they got Jeter. Chipper is a great hitter. We had better pitching. We won one title. Jeter is a great hitter, fielder, leader and example. They won five titles.
Wreckmaniac
June 15th, 2012
12:13 pm
Great story. Jeter is, without a doubt, a super first class fellow. You can’t help but respect him for his ability and his attitude. He reminds me of Dale Murphy in the way he handles himself.
TomB
June 15th, 2012
12:15 pm
They(Yankees) also had(have) great pitching, P Rose
TomB
June 15th, 2012
12:17 pm
The Yankees also had the best closer in baseball for how many years? We had Wohlers.
av8rdawg
June 15th, 2012
12:19 pm
Chipper is a class act.
My little brother told me 10-15 years ago of him sitting with Chipper having a few beers in a bar (no,not Hooters), talking about everything under the sun. Chipper truly loves to sit down and get to know real people who are just your average Joe.
Oh, and towards the end of the night, Chipper insisted that my brother not drive home as Chipper had already paid the cab fare from Buckhead to Snellville for my little brother.
Thanks Chipper for loving Atlanta and the people in it!
Wreckmaniac
June 15th, 2012
12:22 pm
I know this. Even at age 40, if there was a game that had to be won, bases loaded, two outs, last inning, game tied, I would rather have Chipper at the plate more than any player today. More than Pujols, Votto, Robinson Cano, any name you can mention.
TomB
June 15th, 2012
12:22 pm
Lets be honest, how many people thought Chipper would still be playing at 40? It’s difficult for an everyday player to do this; the wear and tear on the body is too great. Now some pitches can last that long, but it’s rare for an someone who plays every night to last this long and still be productive. Kudos to both Chipper and Jeter.
Homer the Braves
June 15th, 2012
12:25 pm
You haters are gonna miss Chipper when Fransisco is starting at 3B next year.
Shelfish Chipper need 2 retrie now!
June 15th, 2012
12:29 pm
Pleezz…..I dont care what Jetter sez Chiper is a shelfish person for wanting 2 keep playin win all he is doin is draggin the team down.
DTB
June 15th, 2012
12:31 pm
Can’t wait to see Chipper leave, he will never be the player Jeter is…… so long Chipper
DetroitBraves
June 15th, 2012
12:38 pm
There are a lot of people that don’t like Jeter much, but I’ve always found that a little unfair. For the life of me I can’t remember one thing he’s really done that’s all that offensive, except maybe win a lot which is, of course, what he should be trying to do. I think a lot of it probably comes from the media love for him, where guys like McCarver and Sterling aren’t content to just let him be a sure-fire Hall of Famer, but instead feel a need to shove their other-worldly perception of him down our throats. But again, I don’t see how that’s Jeter’s fault.
LOL at the Braves
June 15th, 2012
12:38 pm
LOL!!
Mexican Sean Connery
June 15th, 2012
12:46 pm
No means yes.
Train Wreck Bystander
June 15th, 2012
12:52 pm
Did anyone really expect Jeter to say anything else? He heaped tons of baseball praise on CJ, and rightly & deservedly so. I heard the snippets on the radio pre-game show and thought it showed a lot of class on Jeter’s part.
Or were you expecting him to utter comments more suited for the clubhouse bulletin board?
Kerryb
June 15th, 2012
12:52 pm
I see that all of the complete and utter morons are on the blog today posting all of their usual trash no one cares to read.
K.Conway
June 15th, 2012
12:53 pm
GLAD CHIPPER IS GONE AFTER THIS YEAR! nO TO HOF!!!!!!!
phil
June 15th, 2012
12:53 pm
Chad
June 15th, 2012
11:38 am
Chipper bashers are dumber than a bag of hammers
*********
Yes, they are.
We don’t need Jeter to tell us what we already know. But thanks anyway, Mark, for seeming to think that we did.
Inside the Ashford Park
June 15th, 2012
12:57 pm
Great piece, Mark.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, Chipper! If May 2nd is the last time I see you play, then what a way to go out!
TXDawg3
June 15th, 2012
1:01 pm
It’s truly amazing how often those who “can’t” criticize those who “can.”
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
June 15th, 2012
1:04 pm
Becuz Chipper ensists upon staying on the team when he shold retrie now.
nick p.
June 15th, 2012
1:05 pm
pure class, things he would not say about his own teammate A-Rod! will be sad when i tell my kids of chipper and derek and them not getting to see for themselves!
Atlanta Dawgs
June 15th, 2012
1:07 pm
I was able to watch all the young Braves players that came through Macon in the eraly 90’s that helped establish the 14 year run of NL East titles. Watching Chipper on a weekly basis was fun. Granted he through more balls into the dirt than the first baseman’s glove, he was still a fan favorite. Say what you will, if you are a Braves fan, you will miss Chipper Jones when he is gone. Is he a fired up leader who is going to get in your face? No, but that is more of a result of how Bobby Cox ran the clubhouse. The Atlanta Braves was always about the team and not about primadonnas. Just look at all the guys that came in as free agents that caused problems elsewhere, they ddin’t cause problems here. Everyone knew their role. Chipper knows his and has performed to his abilities. He will be in Cooperstown as one of the greatest switch hitters of all time and one of the best 3rd baseman of all time. He lost 2 seasons to ACL tears and other wear and tear. What people fail to realize, you don’t find a ton of everyday players in MLB that play into their 40’s. You were always my favorite Brave and I will miss you when you are gone.
TXDawg3
June 15th, 2012
1:08 pm
Let me restate my comment…
It’s truly amazing how often and arrogantly those who “can’t” and have never accomplished anything criticize those who “can” and have sacrificed in order to accomplish their goals.
nick p.
June 15th, 2012
1:09 pm
i am not sure what some of your references to chipper and his divorce have to do with him as a ball player? i am pretty sure all of you living in glass houses have lived such a pure life that ones personal matters have become public for you to criticize, the man did everything he could for the Braves, and without him we would not even have the one ring that this town has!
nick p.
June 15th, 2012
1:10 pm
TX, your conclusion is that braves are struggling because of Chipper? if chipper retired this team would be in first place? you are truly an idiot beyond belief!
nick p.
June 15th, 2012
1:12 pm
TX believes that it was chipper who gave up the grand slam to arod, he also believes that it was chipper who was hot and cold as starting pitcher causing some of the losses, do you even know how to watch baseball?
Not So Casual Observer
June 15th, 2012
1:12 pm
I refer you Braves fans to the Hawk fans who spoke of Dominique in much the same way you speak of Chipper now.
Nique was traded and the Hawks have been searching for someone like him ever since.
Sonny Clusters
June 15th, 2012
1:22 pm
We stand corrected. Chipper is buttered toast and everybody else is burnt toast. All you deer-tattooed tobacco chewing weak obliqued Buck Commanders out there . . . have a nice day!
Jim
June 15th, 2012
1:23 pm
Thank you Chipper Jones. Just know most people feel the same and greatly outnumber the dolts.
DetroitBraves
June 15th, 2012
1:36 pm
I like Dominique Wilkins quite a bit, but he was a much more flawed basketball player than Chipper has been a baseball player.
Doesn’t changed the fact he was robbed of the slam dunk title in Chicago back in the day.
Whatupdawg
June 15th, 2012
1:36 pm
Funny hearing the Chipper bashers. He should retire? Yah, I am buying that. I will take a 40 yr old hitting .300 anyday. He is probably still in the top 3-5 3rd basemen today. Those that are bashing him, please go back to your mom’s basement and finish your Dungeons & Dragons marathon. Jeter, I have always respected the man (still hate those damn yankees, though). Even moreso now.
Bhamfornow
June 15th, 2012
1:36 pm
Chipper and the Braves better put their lovefest with the Yankees aside or they will get swept again next week. Yankees walked all over them for three games but the braves continue to yuk it up with them on the field. Why they didn’t knock down ARod after that home run? They have no heart left.
Jim
June 15th, 2012
1:38 pm
Does MENSA host this page?
Joey
June 15th, 2012
1:39 pm
“We were looking at all those flags {representing the run of 14 division titles] out there, and that’s pretty impressive,” he said”
**************************************
Very classy, Derek, to not mention the snickering about those flags (NL).
Bet those Yankees were real impressed with that Wild Card Championship . . .
Mark's for the braves
June 15th, 2012
1:40 pm
Jeter is a stand up guy and a super player. Just wish he didn’t play for the hated Yankees. Nice comments though.
Stinger 2
June 15th, 2012
1:41 pm
Clusters:Great to see you get called down for one too many needless
and wrong bashings of Chipper. I will give you credit for admiting you were wrong.
Bud No Weiser
June 15th, 2012
1:44 pm
Yep…Love the article, like Jeter…HATE the Yankees.
Herschel Talker
June 15th, 2012
1:45 pm
MB:
Jeez man, how many articles are you going to write on this guy? The nostalgia is getting old, but I guess you’ve got nothing else to cling to with the band of chokers. What a pathetic team that we have to keep dwelling on 40-year-old Chipper Jones. Pathetic stuff.
FIRE FREDI GONZALEZ!!!
DUMP ALL THESE LOSERS!!!
IT’S TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE!!!
HT
Rod Paradise
June 15th, 2012
1:46 pm
I too hate the Yankees like many baseball fans do, but if you get a chance to watch the HBO special on Jeter 3K it will change your opinion of him. I still don’t like the Yankees, but this guy is a class act, and he stays humble and enjoys the game. I enjoyed seeing these guys grinning at each other, because when you are at that level doing things and then grinning that is them enjoying the level of competition. Its sort of like in football after big hits an guys grin, they say those hits hurt the worst, but both players are smiling. Same sort of thing here imho.
Joey
June 15th, 2012
1:49 pm
Chipper is a great talent, and fabulous hitter. But it is absurd for all you guys to call him “classy.”
Dale Murphy is classy.
Chipper Jones ain’t.
Sonny Clusters
June 15th, 2012
1:57 pm
Tender little fella, we was thinking that sounded like something we’ve heard before . . . about all the “championshps” and it didn’t sound like something somebody who has won real championships would say. The Ynakees probably did look at those little signs with awe . . . and they probably snickered a little bit about them, too. All that hugging and fanny patting and loving just means the Yankees will continue to have their way with these Braves. We was thinking if they don’t win a “championship wild card” this year maybe a Participation Award would be a good one to hang. You’d cheer that wouldn’t you, real, true, little fan?
jj
June 15th, 2012
1:58 pm
A good story to try to smooth over the last 4 game loses. Love Chipper but Fredi and McDowell are the pits.