Tuesday, October 9, 2012

A Chip Off the Ole' Block

     Last Friday wasn't just the last game of the Atlanta Braves' 2012 season as they lost the play-in wild card game at home to St. Louis 6-3. It was the last game of a surefire Cooperstown-bound player in third baseman Chipper Jones. As a matter of fact, Chipper is right up there with Hank Aaron, Eddie Matthews and Warren Spahn.
     So what has Chipper Jones done to earn such appraisal not just in this blog, but around the sports community? Well for starters, he's a lifetime .303 hitter. He's also hit 468 home runs (Third all-time in Braves history), 1,623 RBIs (Most all-time amongst third basemen), won the NL MVP in 1999 and back-to-back Silver Slugger awards in 1999 and 2000. The eight-time all-star also appeared in a Wendy's commercial in 1998, won a World Series in 1995 (The year he officially arrived as Atlanta's starting third baseman) and won a NL batting title in 2008. As for hits, he has 2,727 of them lifetime. He's played for the Atlanta Braves his entire 19-year career as well, which draws comparisons of leadership to legends such as Steve Yzerman and Cal Ripken. He also holds the Braves' team record for career on-base percentage with an OBP of .402. Did I mention that Chipper Jones is an avid fisherman?
     Although the scene at Turner Field last Friday was littered with beer bottles and trash after a controversial infield fly call, Chipper Jones left Turner Field to a standing ovation. Granted, it wasn't the made-for-film ending that Larry (Yes, that's his real first name) would've wanted to go out on. But like most things baseball, he handled it with class and dignity. Thanks for the memories, Chipper Jones.

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