MLB Rankings: Chipper Jones and 10 Players Who Need to Retire After 2011 Season
Age Before Beauty: 10 Former Stars that Should Consider Throwing in the Towel at Season's End
Hardly 21 seasons ago (or at least that's what we think), the Atlanta Braves selected Chipper Jones with the first overall selection in the 1990 MLB Draft.
He would go on to play for over 20 seasons worth of Hall-of-Fame caliber baseball, including leading the Braves to a World Series title in 1995.
A great career, nonetheless, but what if I told you he's still playing to this very day?
Well, it's true.
Many of the league's most prominent talents of the past two decades are still suiting up today. Some remain as productive as they've always been. Some, however, are not.
Here is a concise list composed of 10 players who should probably call it a career after the 2011 season.
Alec Dopp is a Featured Columnist for the Milwaukee Brewers on Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, and check out his new Brewers beat blog, Brewers Rumors.
Raul Ibanez
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At 38-years-old, Ibanez is a clear-cut nominee to be featured on this list.
Make no mistake — Ibanez was one of the most productive players of the 2000s, and had arguable a MVP-caliber season in 2009 with the Phillies.
This season, things haven't gone quite as planned.
With a .225 batting average, 16 RBI and a .281 on-base percentage, Ibanez is certainly struggling to combat his age.
Jorge Posada
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This picture pretty much sums up Posada's 2011 campaign.
Through 17 seasons with the Bronx Bombers, Posada has maintained relative success, and will probably go down as one of New York's best all-time catchers.
With the off-the-field distractions and aberrations, however, Posada should probably call it quits after this season, wouldn't you say?
Chipper Jones
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Though currently in his 18th career major-league season, Jones' on-field production has yet to hinder.
Still, there comes a time when you just have to call it quits. And I'm sure Jones won't overstay his welcome in Atlanta.
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Bobby Abreu
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Now in his 16th career major-league season, Abreu is barely able to get around the basepaths without falling over.
Granted, the Angels are paying him $9 million this season, and his contract also contains a $9 million option in 2012.
Production wise, Abreu just isn't what he used to be.
It's time to throw in the towel, Bobby.
Jamey Carroll
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Carroll has served as Rafael Fucal's backup for the past few seasons, and at 37-years-old, I can't see him holding any specific importance to this Dodgers lineup.
So far, Carroll has amassed just 3 RBI, zero home-runs and a .308 BA for Los Angeles as a full-time backup.
Todd Helton
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This guy is still playing?
Yes, at 37-years-old, Helton is still going strong for the Rockies at first-base.
So far, Helton is off to sufficient start to his 2011 season, registering 20 RBI, 6 HR and a .323 BA.
Still, I'm sure the Rockies would like to start breaking in their plethora of young prospects. And with Helton holding things down, that's near impossible.
J.D. Drew
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At 35, Drew probably has another two solid seasons left in him if things go as planned.
However, his production and importance in a revamped Boston lineup make him virtually (and I'll stress the "virtually" part) useless.
This season, Drew has accumulated just 10 RBI, 3 HR and a .250 BA.
It's been a good run, but your time has come to pass, J.D.
Livan Hernandez
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Hernandez has been apart of seven different rotations in his 15-year career, and should be nearing the end of his craft in the next few seasons.
For a seasoned veteran with a career 4.38 ERA, however, now more then ever should be the time to call it quits.
Jamie Moyer
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What's that? Moyer retired at the end of last season?
Finally.
Next slide, please.
Bartolo Colon
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Colon has maintained relevant success over the course of his 13-year career, but now more than ever before seems like the perfect time to throw in the towel for New York's current starter.
This season, Colon is 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 48 strikeouts in just over 51 innings of work.
Not substandard by any means, however I'm sure the Yanks would like to break in some of their pitching talent on the farm once next year rolls around.
R.A. Dickey
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Dicky has been without question one of the most atrocious pitchers in Mets history, much less major league history.
Just how appalling has Dickey been in 2011?
Try 1-5 with a 5.08 ERA, with just 28 strikeouts in just over 51 innings of work.
Yeah, that's pretty bad.
Albeit Dickey was granted a new two-year deal worth $7.8 million last January, I'm sure the Mets would be more than happy to see the 36-year-old knuckle-baller throw in the towel at season's end.
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