Yardbarker: Chipper Jones

Down on the Farm: Snippets from MLB.com

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:00:12 -0500

I've been waiting for the MLB.com beat writers to start writing their normal offseason Inbox articles, and today a bunch of them responded. The Mets beat writer Marty Noble and and the Marlin's Joe Frisaro were the only ones writing the Inbox articles until today. Here are a few snippets regarding some of the top prospects: Mark Bowman, Braves: Can the Braves move Chipper Jones to first base and maybe look for a third baseman? -- Edward G., Santiago, Dominican Republic Chip...

Talking Chop Top-25 Braves Prospects: 16-20

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:25 -0500

Braves relief prospect Corey Gearrin should be able to find the majors with his deceptive side arm delivery. (Photo by C.B. Wilkins) View full size photo » Our countdown of the top-25 prospects in the Atlanta Braves organization continues with #16 through #20: 16. Cory Gearrin, RHRP :: B/T: 6'3" Born: 04/04/1986 Ht: 6'3" Wt: 200 Last Year's Talking Chop Rank: NR The Skinny: Was a d...

Brian McCann Charity Softball Game; Andruw Jones wants his job back

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:08:34 -0500

There's a reason why I call Brian McCann "Baby Jesus." Aside from the adorable chubby cheeks and the lovability towards our All-Star catcher, he's simply a phenomenal baseball player. Without question the most talented catcher in the National League, and arguably one of the best in all of baseball. But aside from his incredible skills and talents on the field, we should all know and respect that Brian McCann is a human being with a heart of gold and a...

Braves Third Baseman Chipper Jones talks with Forbes.com

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:55:53 -0500

The financial magazine Forbes has an interview up online with Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. Why Forbes is interviewing a baseball player I do no know, but here is possibly the best answer to a question like this I've ever heard: [Forbes:] Near the end of the season, you mentioned that you were considering retirement after next season. Now that that the season is over, do you still feel the same? [Chipper Jones:] I was really frustrated with how the middle...

Braves 2009 Season in Review: Chipper Jones

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:02:43 -0500

This is going to be a short review of the 2009 season of Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. Not because he doesn't deserve a lengthy review, but because it's hard to extrapolate what really happened to Chipper this year. Was it as bad as his 2004 season -- his lowest OPS+ season outside of his rookie year? Maybe. Chipper's OPS+ was one point higher this year (117) than it was in 2004 (116). What was startling about Chipper's '09 campaign was the decline in his...

Career .300/.400/.500 hitter, only 14 in the history of baseball

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:30:59 -0500

Career .300/.400/.500 hitter, only 14 in the history of baseball Joe Posnanski writes a fantastic article for SI about the consistency of Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves. Well worth a read... it will cheer you up.

Say It Ain't So, Chipper Jones

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:41:00 -0500

After winning the 2008 National League batting title, Chipper Jones has shaved 100 points off his batting average, which has him contemplating retirement. Kinda sad.The 37-year-old Atlanta Braves hot corner hit a career-best .364 last year, marking his third straight season batting over .320. This year however, Chipper's numbers have plummeted to .269 since June 9th, where his average peaked at .335. So is it just poor mechanics or another nagging injury ruining his groove?Jones winced in...

"I’m not going to hamstring the ballclub with the money I’m making, and I’m not going to be happy be...

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:04:29 -0500

"I’m not going to hamstring the ballclub with the money I’m making, and I’m not going to be happy being a mediocre player." Chipper Jones may retire if next season disappoints | AJC.com This is why Chipper Jones may be the greatest Atlanta Braves player to ever put on the uniform.

Braves' Jones out of lineup with back strain

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:21:16 -0500

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones was held out of the lineup Sunday with a strained oblique and lower back pain. Since his batting average reached a season-high .335 on June 9, Jones is hitting .232 (59 for 254) over his last 70 games. He has only eight hits in his last 66 at-bats since Atlanta's 4-1 loss to Philadelphia on Aug. 16. Atlanta manager Bobby Cox hopes Jones can return to the lineup Tuesday when the Braves begin a three-game series at Houston.

Your First College Gameday Guest Is....

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:21:00 -0500

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chipper Jones will be the first guest on College Gameday for the 2009 Season. Jones will be live on set sometime around 11:30am this Saturday, and plans to wear Gators' colors....in Georgia....Chipper Jones plans to appear as a guest on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” show Saturday morning at Centennial Olympic Park, where the show will air in advance of Saturday night’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff game between Virginia Tech and Alabama. Jones wi...

Chipper Jones Has Mexican Deer Stand Standoff

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:45:47 -0500

If you’re like me, you’re constantly wondering “What’s the largest number of Mexican immigrants Chipper Jones has had in his truck at one time?” The answer, of course, is 15, which the Atlanta Braves infielder revealed during an interview on 790 The Zone in Atlanta recently. Jones owns a ranch in South Texas, about 15 miles [...]

Chipper Jones Quietly Protects Our Borders

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:25:41 -0500

No, Chipper hasn't gone and joined the Minutemen. He just lives close enough to the Mexican border (he says about 12 to 15 miles as the crow flies) to encounter more than his share of illegal immigrants when they stumble onto his property shortly after entering the country. Typically, he said, he's cordial to those he encounters before phoning the border patrol to send them back from whence they came. But the illegals have managed to scare the bejesus out of him on a few occasions a...

Who Needs An Immigration Wall When You Have Chipper Jones?

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:36:56 -0500

The Atlanta Braves third baseman is an avid hunter and since his home rests on a tract of land near the Mexican border, he often encounters many of brave illegal immigrants stealthily en route to a better way of life. But Chipper's a compassionate conservative, so instead of firing his shotgun into the air or unleashing coyotes on them, he just gathers them all up in the back of his truck, gives them some food and water and immediately calls the border patrol to properly dispose of them. ...

Chipper Jones' Death Ranch Claims Another Victim

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:45:00 -0500

A illegal immigrant was found dead on the Texas property owned by the Larry Jones family. (It's eight miles from the Rio Grande and 124 degrees. Do the math.) Unrelated: The Braves have hired new hitting coach Anton Chigurh. [Journal-Constitution]

The MLB All-Star Game

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:35:05 -0500

Major League Vote Getters I'm not going political here; I'm really just talking about one of the most overrated things in the whole, wide, wonderful world of Sports. Surely, if you think about it, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the "July" Classic or as you and I know it. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game. But it's Sentimental! Yeah, and so are romantic comedies. I get the whole last game in Old Yankee Stadium, though I am more bothered by the fact that we are referring already to "Old" Yankee Stadium. You can't have a "New" and an "Old" Yankee stadium. History is history and to quote the Highlander; "There can only be ONE!" I also get the whole sentimentality thing, the lore of baseball history, the glamour and the nostalgia of the game. What I don't get is the "It's Baseball's best players". It isn't. It's baseballs most popular players. Much like audience participation reality television shows, it's not about the "Best" it is about the most popular. Think about it. Most of you serious sports fans out there know exactly what I am talking about. Every year you hear about who was deserving, who wasn't and who got left out. That's because it's about the popular vote. Ichiro isn't one of the 3 best outfielders in the American League this season, by admission he is having his worst year, but he is starting. What Killed it? It was dead a long time ago, but the final nail in the All-Star coffin to me, was the decision to make the game "Allegedly" mean something. We all know the story of the "tie" game, where all of the pitchers had been used and the managers decided to just call the game a tie. Shortly thereafter, the uber-commisioner, Jon's pal, heir Selig, decided that the game would now determine home field advantage in the World Series. Why he and/or the owners felt that was necessary, was never explained to anyone. Come on guys, it's a freakin' exhibition game. All of the other "Major" sports leagues play exhibition all star games, why can't you? Will I watch? I doubt that I will watch this year's game; I'm really not that interested. I like the idea of some of the best players being in the game, but I don't know that it is enough to get me to devote 4+ hours to watch the game. Without going into another rant, watching it is also part of what I hate about baseball. Fox has made it into a mostly self-absorbed promotional opportunity and that just annoys the hell out of me on principle. I'm happy for the two Atlanta Braves who are playing. Chipper Jones has been fun to watch and really enjoyable to talk with this season as he matures into the Hall of Famer that he is destined to become. Seeing Brian McCann grow up from kid to big-time one of the best catchers in the league has been great. Seeing the smile on his face as he talked about getting to be there