Chipper Jones is a First ballot Hall of Famer, never been linked to performance enhancing drugs, and one of the best switch hitters of all time. He ranks second in career HRs by a switch hitter with 436 and has a career batting average of .306. He has gotten MVP votes in 12 of his 17 Major League seasons. But, Chipper Jones struggled early last year. He hit .230 all the way through mid-June and contemplated retirement. Just two years removed from winning the batting title and leading the league with a .470 OBP, Jones looked done. Then he went on a two week tear where he hit .349 (22 for 63) with three homers, five doubles, nine walks and 12 RBIs. He got a renewed sense of optomism and newfound love of the game. On August 11, Jones tore his ACL and many thought his career may be over as he lay on the ground after a great defensive play.
Fast forward 6 months and Jones is taking at bats in the Grapefruit League, running the bases, plans to play the field Thursday, and promises to start Opening Day. Critics have said he can’t produce anymore and his retirement would make the Braves better. Others have said he came back only for the money. Chipper recently had a comment for these bloggers: “If they think I’m doing this for the money, they obviously haven’t seen my bank account.” Jones has made over $141 million in his career. Its not about the money. Unprompted, Jones threw another punch at critics by saying:
“I still feel like I have something to offer, and the cynical fan can really kiss my ass. I really don’t care. There’s a bunch of true fans and the people who actually want to take the time to get to know me know who I am. The guy who sits in his mom’s basement and types on his mom’s computer, I couldn’t really care less about.”
Easy Chipper, I bought this computer and named my dog after you. I’m not a cynical fan – I’m an excited fan. Chipper needed this challenge to find his love of the game and fans should be excited for the prospects of his season. Chipper Jones doesn’t come back to hit.230 again or be an average Major Leaguer. He wants to play in the postseason again. He still has the same swing that made him the first ballot Hall of Famer and the cynical fan will kiss his ass if he hoists the World Series Trophy (if Chipper returns to 2007 or 2008 form, the Braves have a real chance). Chipper Jones is rejuvenated and ready to play and that is bad news for the rest of the league.
Bold Prediction: Jones hits .313 with 22 HRs and 89 RBIs in 112 games
-Sean Morash
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