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”.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
