Chipper Jones...Conspiracy Theorist

Even now and then, I forget what it is that I love about the internet.  Then, well, and then Chipper Jones goes and watches a movie from more than 20 years ago. 

And tweets about it.

Sure, I realize I'm late to the game on this one, but Wednesday night, the eight-time All-Star sat down and watched "JFK" on  REELZ and decided to voice his displeasure with, of all things, the findings of the Warren Commission.

Alright, here's the thing.  I can't disagree with the guy.  But what I love about this is the complete random nature that all of this popped up on Twitter.

I mean, there's Chipper Jones, deep in the wild at the Double Dime Ranch watching basic cable and deciding his 200,000-plus followers needed to know his JFK conspiracy theories.

Now, if only dude can uncover the truth about the 2012 American League MVP voting.  Am I right?

Chipper Singles in Final At Bat

Sometimes, certain things just feel right, right?

During Wednesday afternoon's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chipper Jones entered in the game in the sixth and delivered a pinch hit single in what would be his last regular season at bat.

On September 14, 1993, Jones did nearly the exact same thing in his first big league appearance for the Atlanta Braves...smacking a seventh inning pinch hit single off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Kevin Wickander.

Suffice it to say, between those two hits...dude was no slouch.

In case you were paying attention to the "Chipper Jones Milestone Watch" in 2012, Jones ended his career with 2726 hits, 549 doubles, 468 home runs and 1623 RBI for his storied career. The 40-year-old is the only switch hitter in Major League history to post a .300 career average (.303 to be precise) with more than 300 homers, and his career batting average ranks second all-time among switch hitters.

In 1999, Jones was named the National League MVP after hitting .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI. He was selected for eight All-Star Games and was part of Atlanta's 1995 World Championship squad.

Oh, one last thing.  With all due respect to Craig Robinson over at Flip Flop Fly Ball...I decided to do my own take on his "First and Last" series.

See you in Cooperstown, Chipper!

 

Live From New York...it's Chipper Jones!

In 37 seasons on the air, "Saturday Night Live" has had 35 sports figures host the show.  And of those 35, only five (Bob Uecker, Billy Martin, George Steinbrenner, Deion Sanders and Derek Jeter) have had any sort of baseball pedigree.

Our friends over at the MLB Fan Cave want to change that and they think they have the right host in mind.

So before you think the idea of making a campaign-style video (shown below) to get Chipper Jones to host the show is unfounded...all the Cave Dwellers are doing is responding to a post that popped up on the SNL Backstage Blog.

Incidentally, Jeter is the only everyday player that has hosted the show (Sanders was more of a full-time cornerback when he had the duties) and that was back in December 2001!

So why Chipper? Why not?!? 

Basketball star Charles Barkley has taken the reigns of the show three times and, well, let's just say that Jones probably couldn't do worse. 

But let's not kid ourselves, if Jones gets the hosting gig, it'll only be the second biggest honor the Big Apple can bestow upon the future Hall of Famer.

New York Pub Renamed After Chipper Jones

After Jose Reyes bolted New York for Miami, Shaun Clancy, owner of Foley's NY Pub and Restaurant offered disgruntled Mets fans free beer and appetizers in exchange for the shortstop's jersey.

Welp...the Bill Veeck of booze vendors is at it again.

When retiring Atlanta Braves superstar Chipper Jones makes his final appearance at Citi Field September 7-9, Foley's will be renamed "Chipper's".

"Sometimes you have to tip your cap to your opponent," said Clancy said.  "While Chipper has broken the hearts of many Mets fans over the years, New Yorkers are as knowledgeable as anyone and they know greatness when they see it...even when it resulted in disappointment for their hometown team."

In 88 career games at the Mets' former home, Shea Stadium, the 1999 National League MVP hit .313 with 19 home runs and 55 RBI.  Jones ranks behind just Mike Schmidt (60 home runs) and Willie Stargell (60) with 49 roundtrippers against the Mets.

And in case you were wondering, yes, Clancy is willing to offer up free chips (they serve ten different variaties!) for one year to "The Girl with the Chipper Tattoo" if/when she shows her face, er, Chipper's face at popular New York watering hole.

Get on your horse, Megan...that's a good deal!

Surf's Up, Chipper!

I mentioned it before and I'm going to say to it again...when I heard that Chipper Jones was retiring, I was worried that he'd be subjected to the hackneyed "farewell tour" gifts every time he came to town.

And, well, thanks to the San Diego Padres...I was justified.

Earlier this week, former Padres great, closer Trevor Hoffman, presented Jones with his very own, what appears to be, Teen Choice Award.  Sure, the retiring Atlanta Braves great probably doesn't surf, but still...a surfboard?  Yuck.

You can check out a breakdown of some of the other gifts Jones received over at Big League Stew.

Naturally, I had to check in with "The Girl with the Chipper Tattoo" to see what her favorite was and what she would do to honor her hero.

I'm with Megan...I don't know what I would give him either.  Rumor has it, however, that the Boston Red Sox were offering up John Lackey, Mike Aviles and $10 million had the eight-time All-Star made his way to Fenway one last time. 

Zing!

 

Cincinnati Reds to Honor Chipper Jones

When I heard that Chipper Jones was retiring I was worried that he'd be subjected to the hackneyed "farewell tour" gifts every time he came to town.

And, well, I was right.

But, the Cincinnati Reds are doing it different.  And this, well, this...I like.

According to The Outside Corner, the Reds will be putting a "jewel" on the side of all of the bases celebrating Jones' career. And when the series is over, the Atlanta Braves superstar gets to take one home with him.

The other bases will end up in the Braves and Reds Halls of Fame.

There's no word yet on what "The Girl with the Chipper Tattoo" is planning on doing.

Happy 40th Birthday Chipper!

Sure, he's not the oldest guy in the league (we all know who holds THAT distinction), but I think it's fair to say that Chipper Jones is having one heck of a birthday.

Matter of fact, the Atlanta Braves third baseman celebrated his 40th birthday Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers in pretty much the same way he's celebrated most of his birthdays in the league...he caught fire.

Thirteen times, Jones has played on his birthday (April 24) and in those games, he's batted .429 (21-for-49) with five home runs and 11 RBI.  And his team, they've done alright too...going 11-2 along the way!

Oh, about those five home runs.  Yeah...that ties Jones with Todd Helton with the most birthday roundtrippers among active players.  We'll have to wait until August 20 to see if "The Toddfather" can get his sixth.

So, Jones does well on his birthday...cool.  But how does he do the day after?  As it turns out...not so shabby.

In fourteen April 25 games, the future Hall of Famer has hit .333 (18-for-54) with two homers.

2012 is it for Chipper

It's been hinted at, joked about and rumored...but now it's official.  2012 will be the swansong for Atlanta Braves superstar Chipper Jones.

The 39-year-old announced Thursday that this upcoming would be it.

So if you're paying attention to the "Chipper Jones Milestone Watch"...dude is at 2615 hits, 526 doubles, 454 home runs and 1561 RBI for his storied career.  Jones is the only switch hitter in Major League history to post a .300 career average (Jones is hitting .304) with more than 300 homers, and his career batting average ranks second all-time among switch hitters.

In 1999, Jones was named the National League MVP after hitting .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI.  He was selected for seven All-Star Games and was part of Atlanta's 1995 World Championship squad.

Now...I wonder what the girl with the Chipper tattoo has to say about this?  And will she be in Cooperstown in July 2018 when her hero goes in on the first ballot?

Chipper Jones was Joking?

Oh, Chipper...you're hilarious!

Monday, Chipper Jones told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, basically, that he was considering retirement.

"I've said it a million times, it's hell getting old," said Jones, who’ll be 40 next month.  "The body is starting to tell me every morning when I wake up that it’s getting close...I don’t know if I can make it through this year."

Naturally, that made Atlanta Braves fans panic because, well, dude is slated to be the team's starting third baseman.

Tuesday, however, the seven-time All-Star was backpeddling.

"It was tongue in cheek. I was kidding. I just got done playing eight innings with three at-bats. I was a little tired," the 1999 National League MVP told MLB.com. "I wasn't by any means suggesting I couldn't make it through the season. If I didn't think that I could, I wouldn't be out there."

"I think it is a disservice to Chipper Jones to suggest that after wearing a Braves uniform for 22 years, he is going to abandon his teammates in the middle of a season," B.B. Abbott, Jones' agent, said. "Anybody who knows anything about him knows he is not like that."

I guess I don't get the humor.

REPORTER:  Hey, Chipper...how ya feeling?

CHIPPER:  The body is starting to tell me every morning when I wake up that it’s getting close...I don’t know if I can make it through this year.

ZING!  Comedy has come a long way, gang.

That said...if you find yourself in the Greater Orlanda area watching Spring Training this weekend, the always funny Jim Norton is there Thursday through Saturday.

Tell him The Hall sends its regards!

Behold...the Chipper Jones Tattoo!

Alright, enough with the whole "Chipper Jones is fat" thing.  Yeah, yeah...we all saw the picture. 

Matter of fact, Jones did too, telling The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

“I’m also fat now, from what I hear,” Jones said, smiling as he winced while taking his jersey over his sunburned arms. “I’m a little worried, this is the first time I’ve ever been called fat.”

"Thing is, I'm seven pounds lighter than I've ever been in camp, and now I'm fat," Jones said. "I weigh 226, 227. Usually I'm 235."

But, we're all missing the real story here...have you seen Atlanta Braves fan Megan Perry's Chipper Jones tattoo?

I mean, someone probably thought she was a little obsessed with the future Hall of Famer when she changed her Twitter handle to @chipsgirl10...but now?

I caught up with with the SoCal native and asked her about her motivation...here's the response.

I love love Chipper wanted to show that loved him for 18 yrs so 4 1/2 hrs and 450.00 dollars later there u go

Talk about dedication.

Dale Murphy Talks Chipper Jones

It's natural for a ballplayer, any ballplayer really, that, once they finish their career...they go on to talk about it on a daily basis.

Many get paid handsomely to do it (i.e. Nomar Garciaparra, Harold Reynolds, etc.).

Plenty don't.  And I guess that's what the internet it for.

One of the more recent entries into the whole social media fray is two-time National League MVP Dale Murphy and, suffice it to say, the former Atlanta Braves superstar has a few thoughts about his former team and, namely, Chipper Jones.

Read!

Lately a few people have asked me about Chipper and whether he can get to 500 home runs. I definitely think he has a chance at 500, seeing as how he’s sitting at 450 right now. If he comes back next year (and I think he’s already announced that he will), he could be even healthier than he was this year (he was recuperating in spring training this year, if you remember). In fact, not only do I think he could he get to 500 home runs, but I think he could get to 3,000 hits and finish his career with some truly impressive numbers (either way, he’s still a Hall of Famer, no question about it).

I'm with Murphy on the Hall of Fame thing...Jones will, without a doubt, get in on the first ballot. Dude is, along with Eddie Murray and Mickey Mantle one of the best switch hitters of all-time.

But, I'm not buying the whole 3000 hits and 500 homers prediction.

Consider this.

Jones is currently 39-years-old (he'll turn 40 three weeks into next season) and, basically, 400 hits and 50 homer shy of the milestones. Or, essentially, the same amount of hits and homers as the 1999 National League MVP has hit since the 2008 All-Star break.

Yes, I know the guy has been injured. But it isn't like a 40-year-old thirdbaseman is going to get more durable as he gets older.

Plus...it isn't like you can put him at first a la George Brett and prolong his legacy given the Braves have a bonafide stud in Freddie Freeman already occupying the position.

So, let me hear it, gang. Do you agree with me or one Dale Bryan Murphy? And, no, no hearts will be broken if you side with Murph...the guy is an '80s baseball immortal.

Chipper Jones is Coming Back, Gang!

Hey Atlanta Braves fans...don't book your July 2017 trips to Cooperstown just yet...Chipper ain't done.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chipper Jones is playing in 2012.

“I’m playing next year,” the 1999 National League MVP said Friday. “I still feel like I can go out there and play a good third base and be a threat, at least, at the plate."

Two hours later, he hit a home run for the second night in a row.

With 448 home runs, Jones is adding to career numbers that have already earned him the distinction of being the only switch hitter in Major League Baseball history to have a .300-plus batting average, 400 bombs and 1500 RBI.

“I take a lot of pride in those numbers,” Jones said. “Those are awfully big numbers over an 18-year career. But that’s not what drives me. I want to punctuate my career helping these guys win a championship.”

Chipper Jones Surpasses Mickey Mantle

Yeah, go ahead and read that headline over and over, gang...with a first inning RBI off Mat Latos Wednesday, Chipper Jones now sits behind only Eddie Murray when it comes to runs knocked in by a switch hitter.

With his 1510th career RBI (and counting), the Atlanta Braves thirdbaseman surpassed Mickey Mantle on the all-time list.

"We grew up hearing about Mickey Mantle and now we're witnessing Chipper Jones getting those milestones," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said following Tuesday night's contest. "It really does give me goose bumps every time one of those milestones is reached."

While it's not likely the Jones will catch up with Murray's career total of 1917, the future Hall of Famer is knocking down milestone and milestone on his way to Cooperstown.

So if you're paying attention to the "Chipper Jones Milestone Watch"...dude is now at 2516 hits, 500 doubles, 439 home runs and 1512 RBI for his career.

Friday Night Belonged to Chipper Jones

Friday night at Turner Field was the home opener for the Atlanta Braves and front and center (just like he has since 1990) was Bobby Cox.

This time, he was former Braves manager Bobby Cox and he was in the ATL to throw out the ceremonially first pitch.

But, the night didn't belong to the former skipper. Cox will get his due August 12 when the Braves retire his number and induct him in the team's Hall of Fame.

It belonged to Chipper Jones.

Due to injury, Jones was forced to close out 2010 with 2490 hits, 436 home runs, 1491 RBI and a .306 career batting average...arguably some of the best numbers ever put up by a switch hitter.

Jones got off to a hot start this season and quickly got the hits necessary to put him in the position to get hit number 2500 at home Friday night in front of a standing-room-only corwd.

And with three more RBI, dude is now just three shy of joining Eddie Murray as the only switch-hitters in Major League history to record 2,500 hits and 1,500 RBIs in a career.

You're going to find some pieces online saying that this cemented Jones' Hall of Fame chances and some that still question his credentials, but believe this...the Cooperstown plaque makers already have the thirdbaseman's likeness carved out.

They just need to figure out if it should say "Larry" or "Chipper".

Chipper Jones...Career Over?

Tuesday night, Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones tweaked his left knee fielding a sixth inning grounder against Houston.

Today, he had an MRI...and it's not good.

According to Atlanta's 790 The Zone, the 38 year-old has a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season. But let me throw this out...is his career over as well?

If so, we’ve had the honor of watching one of this generation’s best third basemen. And no, Yankees fans…I am not talking about Alex Rodriguez.

Initially a shortstop and occasionally a left fielder…Jones has anchored the hot corner for the Atlanta Braves for more than 80% of the games he’s played. But why doesn’t he get mentioned in the same breath as baseball’s elite?

Here’s a guy who isn’t stuck in a smaller market. Atlanta is on the East coast and TBS (or the Turner Broadcast System to you high brow muckety-mucks) carried “America’s Team” from 1972 until 2007, so obviously Jones got his fair share of exposure.

He hasn’t bounced around from team to team every year a la Matt Stairs or Royce Clayton (both played for close to a dozen teams)…he’s been with ONE team since he was selected with the first overall pick in the 1990 amateur draft.

There is absolutely no need to look at the transaction wire to see where Number 10 is suiting up next.

And arguably, while he his status as one of baseball’s best hitters has dimished slightly (he was batting just .265 with ten bombs this season)…he is possibly the greatest switch hitter the game has ever seen. With all apologies to Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray…it’s Jones who holds the distinction of being the ONLY switch hitter to have a career batting average of .300 (currently .306) and 400 or more home runs.

Add to that the fact that Jones’ 2008 league leading batting average of .364 is only one tick off of Mantle’s season best .365 for a switch hitter and you’ve got more than just a great hitter from both sides of the dish…you’ve got one heck of a ball player.

From 1996 to 2008, Jones has hit .295 or higher in all but one season. Prior to 2009, he had 14 straight seasons with 20 or more home runs and eight straight seasons (nine total) of 100 or more RBI.

And speaking of streaks, Jones also played in an amazing ELEVEN straight post seasons from 1995 to 2005.

Incidentally (perhaps coincidentally), the Braves brought Atlanta their lone World Series championship in Jones’ rookie year, 1995. That post-season, he hit .364 and finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Hideo Nomo. As a sidenote, Nomo lost his only start that post-season as the Dodgers were swept by the Reds.

Four seasons later, in 1999, Jones brought home the MVP trophy when he hit .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI. He also swiped 25 of 28 bases! And not to sound like a broken record, but in 12 of his 14 seasons…he’s nabbed some MVP votes.

For his career, Jones has belted 436 home runs…third most for a switch hitter behind Mantle (536) and Murray (504). 358 of them coming as a third baseman.

I wrote before that by the end of this season, he’d have easily surpassed 1500 RBI and 2500 hits. Unfortuantely, it might be stuck at 1491 and 2490. His career OPS of .941 is 30th all-time and the only two players ahead of him that are Hall eligible and NOT enshrined are Mark McGwire and Lefty O'Doul.

The six-time All-Star holds most of the ATLANTA Braves team records and is situated alongside Hank Aaron and Mathews atop many of their franchise records. Should he come back, he’ll have eclipsed most of Mathews’ numbers except home runs. It’s safe to say he’ll never touch what “Hammerin’ Hank” did.

That being said…the dude is a lock for Cooperstown. He could retire today and waltz in without any more icing needed for the top of the proverbial Hall of Fame cake.

Hopefully, it'll be on his terms and not because of injury.

The Great Emancipator, the Carson Crusher and Chipper

Over the last month, I’ve come to grips with the fact that the story I am about to re-tell is more than likely (“more than likely” equating to about 100%) not true.

That being said…I’m going to share it anyway.

Last month, I took my family on a pilgrimage to Springfield, IL to celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. We hit all the sites; the Lincoln Museum, his family home and of course…the tomb. But it wasn’t amid those tourist attractions where I had my brief brush with celebrity.

A famous person in Springfield this side of Lincoln’s funeral in 1865? Sure…why not!

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth (looking eerily like Australia’s resident “party kid” Corey Delaney) is from the state’s capital, downtown is typically crawling with government officials and on this weekend…I had breakfast with former power hitting third baseman Matt Williams.

I know what you’re thinking…the Matt Williams who was part of the 2001 Arizona Diamondback championship team?

Yes. THAT Matt Williams.

It was Sunday morning and my family (and presumably his given the kid at the table) were taking advantage of the Baymont’s complimentary continental breakfast. As is customary when I travel, I had Raisin Bran (I would never PAY for Raisin Bran mind you) and I believe Williams had some toast.

Maybe it was yogurt…I’m not certain but that’s not the point.

The rest of the morning and afternoon I couldn’t get the thought out of my mind that at one point Williams appeared to be heading toward “legend” status. This guy terrorized opposing pitchers. The team surrounding him his one year in Cleveland was fantastic. His 1999 100-win Arizona team gave opponents nightmares.

The dude had ten straight years with 20 or more home runs (he ended his career with 378), four Gold Gloves and appeared in five All-Star games.

There are also plenty of folks out there that believe that Williams would’ve topped Roger Maris’ 61 home runs had the strike not occurred. Minus some injuries and the 1994 strike robbing him of immortality, who knows how Williams’ career would’ve played out?

As it is…378 round trippers is nothing to sniff at. Looking at those already enshrined in Cooperstown, they would place Williams third all-time at his position behind Eddie Mathews and Mike Schmidt. But as we know…a slew of home runs do not necessarily get you a plaque on the walls.

The reason this tale is of worth is not because I eventually was able to convince myself that the “Carson Crusher” was NOT in Springfield that morning. I mean, while he LOOKED like Williams, he was far too short and, frankly, why would he stay at a Baymont given the other options?

I tell it because sometimes I need to be reminded that since baseball came back from the strike thanks to Cal Ripken, Jr. and his remarkable, well publicized streak, we’ve had the honor of watching one of this generation’s best third basemen.

And no, Yankees fans…I am not talking about Alex Rodriguez.

I’m talking about Larry Wayne Jones, Jr. or “Chipper” as we’ve come to know him.

Initially a shortstop and occasionally a left fielder…Chipper has anchored the hot corner for the Atlanta Braves for 80% of the games he’s played. But why doesn’t he get mentioned in the same breath as baseball’s elite?

Here’s a guy who isn’t stuck in a smaller market. Atlanta is on the East coast and TBS (or the Turner Broadcast System to you high brow muckety-mucks) carried “America’s Team” from 1972 until 2007 so obviously Jones got his fair share of exposure.

He hasn’t bounced around from team to team every year a la Matt Stairs or Royce Clayton (both played for 11 teams)…he’s been with ONE team since he was selected with the first overall pick in the 1990 amateur draft. There is absolutely no need to look at the transaction wire to see where Number 10 is suiting up next.

And arguably, while he is currently one of baseball’s best hitters going into this upcoming season…he is possibly the greatest switch hitter the game has ever seen. With all apologies to Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray…it’s Jones who holds the distinction of being the ONLY switch hitter to have a career batting average of .300 (currently .310) and 400 or more home runs.

Add to that the fact that Jones’ 2008 league leading batting average of .364 is only one tick off of Mantle’s season best .365 for a switch hitter and you’ve got more than just a great hitter from both sides of the dish…you’ve got one heck of a ball player.

12 out of the last 13 seasons, Jones has hit .295 or higher. He has 14 straight seasons with 20 or more home runs and eight straight seasons (nine total) of 100 or more RBI.

And speaking of streaks, Jones also played in a startling ELEVEN straight post seasons from 1995 to 2005.

Incidentally (perhaps coincidentally), the Braves brought Atlanta their lone World Series championship in Jones’ rookie year, 1995. That post-season, he hit .364 and finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Hideo Nomo. As a sidenote, Nomo lost his only start that post-season as the Dodgers were swept by the Reds.

Four seasons later, in 1999, Jones brought home the MVP trophy when he hit .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI. He also swiped 25 of 28 bases! And not to sound like a broken record, but in 12 of his 14 seasons…he’s nabbed some MVP votes.

For his career, Jones has belted 408 home runs…third most for a switch hitter behind Mantle (536) and Murray (504). And as an attempt to bring this train back around to the Matt Williams opener, Chipper has 330 as a third baseman.

By the end of 2010, he’ll have easily surpassed 1500 RBI and 2500 hits. His career OPS of .956 is 22nd all-time and the only player ahead of him that is Hall eligible and NOT enshrined is Mark McGwire.

The six-time All-Star holds most of the ATLANTA Braves team records and is situated alongside Hank Aaron and Mathews atop many of their franchise records. In a season or two…he’ll have eclipsed most of Mathews’ numbers except home runs. It’s safe to say he’ll never touch what “Hammerin’ Hank” did.

That being said…the dude is a lock for Cooperstown. He could retire today and waltz in without any more icing needed for the top of the proverbial Hall of Fame cake.


Chipper Jones is, without a doubt, the best third baseman since that other converted shortstop-turned-third baseman saved baseball.

And to the fella in Springfield, if you were Matt Williams…I’m sorry my daughter spilled orange juice on your shoe. If you weren’t…well, please let Kellogg’s know that I apologize for only partaking in their “two scoops of raisins” when I can get it for free.