So, I really, really don't like Chipper Jones.
I've been a die-hard Braves fan since I can remember, but I hate him. Maybe it's the illegitimate child via a Hooters girl, maybe it's the stupid smug look he always has on his face, or maybe it's just because he seems like such a, to be politically correct and family-friendly, jerk.
But I just don't like him (and don't even start talking about the other Jones, who, praise Allah, is now a former Brave).
That said, he's really, really good at this whole baseball thing.
As he approaches what should be at least the twilight of his career, ol' Chip is starting to push me toward his side. After quietly coming within a few points of being the National League's batting champ last season, Chipper has hit a pair of homers in each of the Braves' last two games, hitting around .450, leading the league in home runs, RBI, and batting, and making it look really, really easy.
Obviously, it's very early in the season, but I'm willing to put my neck (or anything else) under the guillotine and make a prediction: If the Braves (God willing) make the playoffs this year, Chipper Jones will be the NL MVP. Chip Caray said on today's broadcast that Chipper looks like a man on a mission.
My response: Well, yeah.
The dude is not happy about missing the playoffs the past two years, almost getting the batting title last year, and about David Wright getting the Golden Glove in 2007 (despite having 21 errors on a team that completely, and to much my delight, folded at the end of the season; Chipper had nine in arguably his best Major League season defensively).
In all honesty, judging by the pitching staff's current state of disrepair, it's a bit of a long shot for the Braves to win the East again, much less make the playoffs.
But, like I said, if they do, one of my least favorite athletes (not just Braves, not just ballplayers) of all-time will be his league's MVP.
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3 months ago
While I agree entirely that Andruw Jones has been thrust off of our shoulders at the most opportune time (and I like Kotsay so far... damn good and accurate arm), I have to ask..."How can you call yourself a Braves fan and not like Chipper Jones?" He (along with Smoltz) are the absolute heart and soul of the Braves. Just because he's not a douche like Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins (who should have never won the MVP...that was robbery, Holliday should've won that unanimously), or Carlos Beltran, and doesnt openly make comments doesnt mean he feels any less emotion. And, honestly, if you're a BRAVES fan, you'll enjoy the fact that he has, frequently during his career, given the Braves wins. If you are a Braves fan, you love what is good for the Braves, and off-the-field issues will mean little. His personal life is just that, personal...his Braves life is our business, and has nothing to do with how great he is, and if you are really a Braves fan, it is a complete impossiblity to not like Chipper Jones.
3 months ago
I completely disagree with Shaun about the requirement of liking Chipper to be a Braves fan. The comments on personal life having nothing to do with his professional life are completely off base, particularly if you are a true Braves fan. You would know that the Braves organization has made a science of not only drafting, developing, and bringing in great talent, but also of ensuring that that talent is just as highly respected in each of their personal lives as they are on the field. Of course, there have been hiccups along the way, but Schuerholz has stated in several books that they care about on AND off the field performance.
All that being said, i have never liked Chipper Jones as a person, but up until a few years ago, i was hard pressed to dislike him as a player. The guy is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. The past few years have proven that he is far from immune from the injury bug, and honestly, i thought that we might be better served with him finishing his career at 1st base or with another team. his performance last year and throughout spring and the early season this year have made me put my foot in my mouth, gladly. I'm writing an article on him as well, so be sure to check it out.
3 months ago
I don't know if I got this across or not, I probably didn't, but I've never really disliked Chipper as a player, he and his personality just really bother me for some reason. I really don't think it's necessary to like a player just because he's on your favorite team — I completely disliked Andruw Jones when he was here, and even though it was for the opposite reason (defense is great, but hitting .220 or whatever he ended up at last year is a joke), it doesn't mean I don't like the Braves. I'm not nearly as passionate about Georgia football but I'm definitely a fan, and in interviewing Matthew Stafford and just seeing him around campus, I have to say I don't particularly like him either. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hater in general by any stretch of the imagination, I'm just trying to say it's totally possible to dislike a player on a team and still be as passionate about it as the next guy. (Other examples: Jeff Blauser, DeAngelo Hall)
2 months ago
A good article about how you can like a team and not like all of its players. I have followed the Braves a very long time; and I can say that I never really liked former SS Andres Thomas, Jeff Blauser, or David Justice. Thomas seemingly had this attitude because the fans were a little upset that he couldn't throw the ball to first base. I thought Blauser came across like the Braves owed him the position at short. And David Justice came across so cocky, like he never needed a fan in his bathroom.
I was happy to see a little guy like Rafael Belliard take Thomas' place at short in 1991.
Blauser got his playing time, had one great year, signed a big contract and then got hurt. I was glad to see Belliard out there in the 9th inning of that 1995 WS game 6- racing out of nowhere to make a back-handed grab of Lofton's foul pop. He also had the game-winning RBI of game 1.
What got me with Justice was how he ripped the fans before game 6 in the 1995 WS. He was comparing us to the fans in Cleveland. That just reeked to me. He wanted the same fervor of 1991 when it was four years later and several disappointing post seasons later. Oh well, he wanted Cleveland fans, so they traded him there later. Wish they didn't have to sacrifice Grissom to do it!
Chipper definitely is one of the leaders on this club. For all of his flaws (who doesn't have any?), I have read that as a rookie he was a sponge- listening to Justice, McGriff, Jordan, Clarence Jones, etc. I do appreciate that he has enough respect for this game to think he doesn't know it all. I also appreciate him willing to give up his spot at third so we could acquire what we thought was going to be an extra stick in Vinny Castilla. That cost him some serious All-Star Games. I also like the way he was willing to tell Rocker to cool it when he was feuding with the Shea Stadium crowd. I like the way he has supported Bobby Cox.
One thing I am convinced of; the Braves would not have won that 1995 World Series without Chipper. Sure, he was one of many sticks in that lineup (McGriff, Grissom, Justice, Klesko, Lopez) and our pitching was stellar (Maddux, Glavine and Avery); but his snag of Gallaraga's double down the line saved that NLDS against a very good Rockies team. His tie-breaking homer an inning later won it.
While I am being sentimental about that 1995 roster, Chipper has been remarkably consistent and has quietly assembled some Hall of Fame numbers in Atlanta.
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