The Case for Chipper Jones
This summer we will see former first overall pick and longtime Brave, Chipper Jones, be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Chipper is sitting at 98.2% currently in the voting and will not only be inducted, but he will likely have one of the highest voting percentages of all-time. The southern boy from Jacksonville, FL will stand up on the podium in Cooperstown, armed with his signature smile and southern charm, and will give what I’m sure will be an amazing speech.
If don’t already, go shoot ‘ole Chipper a follow on twitter, @RealCJ10. A guy that understands not only the physical but the mental side of baseball, while providing just great and funny commentary on life.
Chipper was the heart and soul of the Braves for over a decade, capturing the heart of the fans as well. The southern “good ‘ole boy” fit right into the archetype of what a Braves baseball player should be.
Since, there is no real point in arguing for or against Chipper case for the Hall, let’s celebrate the career he had.
Bursting on the scene in 1995, the lone year in which that stacked Braves team won the big one. Chipper, finished second in the rookie of the year voting, falling short to the Japanese sensation Hideo Nomo. 23 homeruns, 86 RBIs, a .803 OPS and 2.7 WAR helped the Braves get to the playoffs. October is where this rookie shined batting .363 in the playoffs with ten runs scored, three homeruns and eight RBIs.
His career would only take off from there. In the next four season he would finish in the top ten of MVP voting, capping it off by winning the award in 1999. That season he hit .319/.441/.633 with 45 dingers, 110 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. His power numbers dwindled away in the later years of his career with 45 being his high point, but to say that Chippers hitting got worse would be a gross understatement. He led the NL with a .364 clip at the age of 36. 36!
An eight time all-star and two time silver slugger, Chipper was a perennial favorite throughout the league. Standing behind the great Mickey Mantle, Chipper could be considered the second greatest switch hitter ever, though Pete Rose and Eddie Murray are right there. 468 career homeruns, 2,726 hits, 1,619 runs, 1,623 RBIs, all while hitting at a .303/.401/.529 clip.
Chipper will be the second ever, first overall pick to be inducted into the hall of fame (Ken Griffey Jr. was the first) and one of the few players from the newer generations to play exclusively for one team in his career. Never once leaving his team for allure of the open market, and that type of loyalty speaks dividends these days. Though it probably helps that the Braves made the playoffs every October for the first ten years Chipper was in the show.
Chipper would much rather sit on a diamond with a bat than a glove, for the veteran was never too flashy with the glove. Though he was certainly never a liability in the field. One thing that often gets forgotten is the fact that Chipper played the outfield for a good chunk of his career. He is often just remembered as a third baseman, which is fair considering he played most of his career there. Yet, the versatility of Jones is often forgotten. Through the first eight year of his career he shared time at third, short, left and right field.
Chipper Jones will forever be an Atlanta Braves legend and comet his summer, he will have a plaque in Cooperstown.
Would I vote for Chipper Jones? Of, course.
Will he get in this year? Absolutely.