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
UGAFAN
June 15th, 2012
1:59 pm
There is no doubt that Chipper is one of if not the greatest 3B to ever play the game. Its human nature not to fully appreciate something in the moment but rather appreciate it more when its gone. Me personally, I’m soaking in every moment I get to see Chipper play this season. He has always been a decent third baseman defensively but the way he approaches every at bat is amazing. He clearly has a plan everytime he is up at the plate and his eye for the strike zone is second to none. To switch hit and use the entire field when hitting is simply amazing. And one has to wonder if baseball has been so taxing on his family that its resulting in the split with his wife. I pray that they are able to work things out. Hang in there Chipper!
GwinnettDad
June 15th, 2012
2:02 pm
After the way the Braves played in the last three days, did Sharon time her decision to reflect just how badly the Braves stunk against the Yankees?
Greg Norton
June 15th, 2012
2:04 pm
Hershel is right on the money.
Stank Wren
June 15th, 2012
2:09 pm
Always been a Chipper fan but the differences in a 40 year old Chipper and a 37 year old Jeter are worlds apart.
The difference between Chipper and Jeter was glaring during the Yankees series. Everytime that Jeter got up to bat, everyone would be expecting a hit that would jumpstart the Yankees and get the offense going. And he delivered.
Everytime that Chipper got up to bat, I got up to go get a beer because I didn’t expect anything to happen (and I was right). With Jeter you expect success and with Chipper you are suprised when success happens.
P Rose
June 15th, 2012
2:10 pm
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.
I forgot to mention also that Jeter is a great baserunner, and he’s great at all of the above in the clutch.
Greg
June 15th, 2012
2:14 pm
I was hoping for some stats…
Stinger 2
June 15th, 2012
2:15 pm
Clusters: A true Braves fan will cheer for anything they win. This means each game regardless of how they finish in the standings. You are so hung up on your dislike for Chipper and Fredi that you cannot see anything good about this team. Why don`t you back off for a while and take a vacation.
There are enough other anti-Braves fans to keep up the negative assult while you are gone.
Mexican Sean Connery
June 15th, 2012
2:38 pm
Enter your comments here
Mexican Sean Connery
June 15th, 2012
2:39 pm
No means yesh
Sonny Clusters
June 15th, 2012
2:42 pm
Tender little man, we are enjoying blogging about the Braves and we watch them on television and go to games and sit where all the other fans sit . . . so we think we are as much a fan as a little tender tulip that tries to impose his will on everybody else. If you are content with losing streaks and having the Yankees come in and hand us our tipped caps . . . well, good for you. If, on the other hand, you have really accepted this organization’s claims of “championship” baseball for years . . . you are a major reason why the organization is not compelled to improve. They can do no wrong because you, tender one, are a “true” fan. Those of us who don’t drink the Kool-Aid are “unworthy” if we ask for more, expect more, demand more than this group cares to give. Now, Chipper could always hit but he’s no role model. He is not “classy” and he is not all that the publicists would like us to think. He is a ballplayer. A tattooed, seed spitting, ballplayer and that’s all right because that’s all we expect of him. If you want to talk with him about marrying your daughter, that’s all right with us. He should be available in a few months.
Sonny Clusters
June 15th, 2012
2:44 pm
We had a nice response all ready for tender tulip but the filter ate it. Maybe it will show up in a little bit. Maybe Chipper will show up tonight with men on base and will be more like Jeter.
Waffle House or Bust
June 15th, 2012
2:44 pm
Derek Jeter was great for the NY Yankees.
Chipper Jones was great for Chipper Jones.
CPR
June 15th, 2012
2:46 pm
Imagine if Jeter played for the Braves.
Imagine if Chipper played for the Yankees.
Joe
June 15th, 2012
2:50 pm
I’m back
Joe
June 15th, 2012
2:50 pm
Hooters waitresses are salivating now.
dean
June 15th, 2012
2:57 pm
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…….
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
I would hate to be you.
nobobfan
June 15th, 2012
3:05 pm
Jeter is right. “Familiarity breeds contempt”. I was living in New York mid fifties thru early 60’s. Most people outside of NY don’t realize that Mickey Mantle was one of the most booed & belittled Yankee stars at home in his heyday.
SorryAZfans
June 15th, 2012
3:30 pm
Beautiful article Mark, just beautiful man! We sorryazfans just do not appreciate what we have had. It is ending all too soon.
CK Bigoldi
June 15th, 2012
4:16 pm
Chipper has an exceptional eye at the plate. He should spend some of his IR time teaching other players to swing at pitches over the plate and to take pitches 1′ outside…not the other way around.
Delbert D.
June 15th, 2012
4:48 pm
Being a decent human being is just so damn hard.
JSS
June 15th, 2012
7:08 pm
What is “dumber” than a man (or boy) who doesn’t realize you can’t drive (or hammer) a nail without a hammer?
Fats OKelly
June 15th, 2012
7:41 pm
When is Bones going to hit another home run?
BaseballBuff
June 15th, 2012
8:32 pm
Listen to all this sentimental mush over a couple of condescending comments from a guy with four world championships. I’m outta here.
bruce
June 15th, 2012
10:48 pm
Mark, wow, two positive baseball columns in a row!
Observer
June 15th, 2012
10:53 pm
Chipper Jones is one of the two greatest 3rd Basemen in History.
John Smoltz is one of the good pitchers of the 1990s.
Glavine was one of the very good pitchers of the 20th century.
Greg Maddox was one of the truly Great pitchers of all time.
Observer
June 15th, 2012
10:58 pm
John Smoltz…..State of Georgia baseball Hall of Fame
the real hall of fame….???? I don’t think so.
He just doesn’t have the numbers. 215 wins??? 150 saves????
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ……..
Not really very impressive.
Hall of Fame is for the elites. Smoltz was NOT an elite. Maddox was.
MLBsGod
June 15th, 2012
11:31 pm
Once Jeter gets to 4000, he will go down as the best overall MLB player of this era. There will be no player that can match his “Captain Clutch” performances, defensive big plays, and championships. There are some better homerun hitters of the era, but most of them play 1st base which takes them out of the convo. David Ortiz can play first and he still doesnt know which hand to put his glove on so he just switches every other inning. Jeters “overall” game and list of awards is tough to beat right now. The elitist 4000 hit club will seal the deal.
Packer Ed
June 16th, 2012
7:41 am
Imagine what Chippers stats and legacy woud be had Chipper been a Yankee?
cloudodust
June 16th, 2012
9:40 am
Good read, MB.
Redstategal
June 16th, 2012
11:09 am
Nice column, MB. First time I ever did the tomahawk chop was while watching Chipper Jones w/ my young kids, when he played for the Greenville Braves! Maybe there’s not as much excitement now when he steps to the plate, but there’s always a hopeful feeling — and that’s a special gift for fans. I’m not that optimistic about the team this year — they just didn’t do enough in the off season — but I’m glad to see Chipper finish out his career as a Brave.
Chip's greatest Fan
June 16th, 2012
12:13 pm
” Chipper Jones has become the Braves’ albatross: Too old, too frail, too high-salaried. ” I’ve been telling all 100 so-called Braves fans that you will regret what you’ve said about our best hitter at age 40 on our team. I have fought all of you till I’m blue in the face but you’re too stupid to listen. But you all know more about baseball than actual players so who cares , right?If he played for 7 million next year it would be the best bargain in MLB but all you would do is gripe, so be happy going back to the 60 win seasons and i’ll still be here listening to you morons gripe. Thanks a bloody lot.
Josephus
June 16th, 2012
12:33 pm
–wonder what “teebow” thinks of all of the chipster’s womanizing? but, of course, all the local jock-sniffers will still sing his praises. meanwhile, we’ll continue to watch his dribbling little grounders into inning-killing double plays while he gets close to 100k per game (whether he plays or not)
brown guy
June 16th, 2012
9:01 pm
Chipper had kids out of wedlock. Bobby Cox punched his wife. How is it that people hate Lebron James but yet cheer for two d-bags like this?
William Vonk
June 17th, 2012
10:55 am
Any individual who has made the, “Too old, too frail, too high-salaried,” comments is not a real fan. Simple as that.
Whine'er Cry Baby!
June 17th, 2012
12:20 pm
I hear that the Whine’er Cry Baby Jair Jurrjens is coming back up – Hope he gets BOO’ed out of the stadium and show this worthless Kawasucki reject what is really thought of him.
Cannot Wait!
June 17th, 2012
12:23 pm
I cannot wait for GIMPER JONES – the washed up Disabled Veteran to be gone…..he does not need to be a manager, he does not need to be a coach….what he needs to be is GONE….so we don’t have to look at his cocky arrogant stupid grin any more…..He is WASHED UP!
Capt Von Trapp
June 17th, 2012
4:31 pm
Bones Gimper Jones van not be coach,vecause he can not ask anyone to play through hang nails,etc. He is done ………………..I think they brought him back too soon AGAIN. Let him get well for the final crossing of das Rhine River. Ve dont need no “gimp”………..Let das wounded get well and come to das front lines later. Das gimber is setting the example all the others to bail it,it seems.
BTW this is just a stupid game so jock sniffers should not get bent over this.:)
Chip's greatest fan
June 17th, 2012
7:03 pm
Sonny Clusters is a douche bag. He has not been funny for about ,what, years now. Give it up . You’re to old and can’t write your position anymore.