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Chip Watch

Edgy DC Jun 15 2010 10:42 AM

Chipper looks to be near retirement decision Braves great to meet with Wren, Cox to discuss playing future By Mark Bowman / MLB.com 06/15/10 11:27 AM ET ATLANTA -- Chipper Jones has hinted that he could retire at the end of this season. But it appears the veteran third baseman may now be even more serious about pursuing that option. Jones is expected to discuss his plans for the future with Braves general manager Frank Wren and manager Bobby Cox on Tuesday afternoon. While it was unknown whether Jones will definitively say that this will be his final season, he certainly seemed to provide some indication of that on Sunday, when he said that he believed the Braves are in good hands with Brooks Conrad or Omar Infante playing third base. "I don't think anybody in here has any less confidence with those guys in the lineup than they do with me," Jones said. "I think they've proven themselves worthy of stepping in and compensating for my absence." Jones, 38, has batted .228 with three homers and 22 RBIs in the 51 games he has played for the Braves this year. But the fact that his production has dropped since he won his first career batting title in 2008 isn't believed to be the only motivating factor behind his decision to at least contemplate retirement. The Braves signed Jones to a three-year, $42 million contract extension last year. But despite the fact that he would still be guaranteed $28 million during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, he has said that finances would not influence his decision. Jones was taken with the first overall selection in the 1990 First-Year Player Draft. He debuted with the Braves in 1993 and has spent his entire Major League career playing for Cox, who plans to end his storied managerial career at the end of this season.

metirish Jun 15 2010 10:51 AM Re: Chip Watch

In his prime he was one of a handful of players I dreaded.

soupcan Jun 15 2010 11:00 AM Re: Chip Watch

I wouldn't be sorry to see him go. I was talking to someone the other day and we were discussing the Braves and Mets being in first and second place. They said that that doesn't bode well for the Mets seeing as how the Braves have had the Mets number. My response was that these are not the same Mets and Braves teams anymore. Chipper leaving just reinforces that. I would LOVE for the Mets to have the opportunity to go head-to-head with the Braves for the division this year. Yeah, sure I would like them to put a beat-down on the Philies too but first things first.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 15 2010 11:04 AM Re: Chip Watch

The Mets haven't won a close division race since 1973!

Edgy DC Jun 15 2010 11:22 AM Re: Chip Watch

soupcan wrote: My response was that these are not the same Mets and Braves teams anymore. I never believed the Braves had the Mets number back then either.

Zvon Jun 15 2010 11:27 AM Re: Chip Watch

Chipper looks to be near retirement decision "I think they've proven themselves worthy of stepping in and compensating for my absence."

soupcan Jun 15 2010 11:34 AM Re: Chip Watch

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The Mets haven't won a close division race since 1973! Ouch. 2008: Phillies 92 70 .568 -- Mets 89 73 .549 3.0 2007: Phillies 89 73 .549 -- Mets 88 74 .543 1.0 2000: Braves 95 67 .586 -- Mets 94 68 .580 1.0 1990: Bucs 95 67 .586 -- Mets 91 71 .562 4.0 1987: Cards 95 67 .586 -- Mets 92 70 .568 3.0 1985: Cards 101 61 .623 -- Mets 98 64 .605 3.0

Frayed Knot Jun 15 2010 11:41 AM Re: Chip Watch

Edgy DC wrote: soupcan wrote: My response was that these are not the same Mets and Braves teams anymore. I never believed the Braves had the Mets number back then either. Funny how the Braves 'had the Mets number' when they were the better team but then somehow lost it when they weren't.

soupcan Jun 15 2010 11:43 AM Re: Chip Watch

Edgy DC wrote: soupcan wrote: My response was that these are not the same Mets and Braves teams anymore. I never believed the Braves had the Mets number back then either. Including a 4-1 record this year, the Mets are 129-175 against the Braves since 1990 and the Braves have won the season series 15 times and tied once (9-9 in 2007).

Edgy DC Jun 15 2010 12:45 PM Re: Chip Watch

So they're playing .576 baseball against the Mets, while playing .578 ball in general.

soupcan Jun 15 2010 01:05 PM Re: Chip Watch

The Braves were consistently winning the majority of the games they played against the Mets. That's good enough for me to say they had the Mets number.

G-Fafif Jun 15 2010 01:48 PM Re: Chip Watch

Chipper hears the Mets' footsteps, knows it's time to pack it in. No doubt. September 16-18, Braves final series at Citi for the year. Gotta go give Larry his props if this is really it: a standing ovation upon his last at-bat (assuming it's not a game situation as his last at-bat at Shea was), booing and Larry-ing the whole time of course, but definitely acknowledging his one-of-a-kind villain's role. I've spent too much time in our two ballparks letting him know how much he sucks to not let him know it's been an uncommon pleasure rooting against him.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 15 2010 01:55 PM Re: Chip Watch

I think that's the right approach. Ovations all the way through would be a little disingenuous, no?

metirish Jun 15 2010 01:58 PM Re: Chip Watch

Cox will get the treatment that series too?

G-Fafif Jun 15 2010 02:02 PM Re: Chip Watch

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I think that's the right approach. Ovations all the way through would be a little disingenuous, no? As long as we can gauge the last at-bat, I'd say the last at-bat would be fine. One hopes, for old time's sake, the crowd could muster-up a strong 1999-style "SUCKS!" when the lineups are read. And yes, no more Cox in New York. (Why must everything sound like a setup line for Fman?)

duan Jun 15 2010 04:25 PM Re: Chip Watch

and here was me expecting this to be about chip hale's propensity to send or hold runners!

themetfairy Jun 15 2010 05:01 PM Re: Chip Watch

I have two tickets to sell for that September 19th game against the Braves with Caesars Club access, if anyone is interested. $120 for the pair (face value).

Benjamin Grimm Jun 15 2010 05:50 PM Re: Chip Watch

duan wrote: and here was me expecting this to be about chip hale's propensity to send or hold runners! I thought it was about those sandwiches made with ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 15 2010 06:07 PM Re: Chip Watch

duan wrote: and here was me expecting this to be about chip hale's propensity to send or hold runners! I thought it was a thread about Steve Phillips making a trade.

G-Fafif Jun 15 2010 08:31 PM Re: Chip Watch

Benjamin Grimm wrote: duan wrote: and here was me expecting this to be about chip hale's propensity to send or hold runners! I thought it was about those sandwiches made with ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. Those things were even better than Joel Youngblood in the summer of 1981.

MFS62 Jun 15 2010 10:04 PM Re: Chip Watch

One side of me says that after his final game this year I'd gladly drive him to the airport, then accompany him on his flight to his place of retirement, then escort him to his house and then NAIL THE DOOR SHUT FROM THE OUTSIDE. (I draw the line at setting the place on fire.) But the other side of me says I want Chipper to play out the remaining two or three year of his contract, with his skills declining drastically and his salary a drain on the Braves coffers, preventing them from acquiring capable talent, further weakening their team. I'm torn. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 15 2010 10:24 PM Re: Chip Watch

MFS62 wrote: One side of me says that after his final game this year I'd gladly drive him to the airport, then accompany him on his flight to his place of retirement, then escort him to his house and then NAIL THE DOOR SHUT FROM THE OUTSIDE. (I draw the line at setting the place on fire.) But the other side of me says I want Chipper to play out the remaining two or three year of his contract, with his skills declining drastically and his salary a drain on the Braves coffers, preventing them from acquiring capable talent, further weakening their team. I like the thought... but the Braves let Smoltz and Glavine walk. They'd fasttrack Mycal Jones (currently in AA) or shift Martin Prado before they'd stick with a rotting Larry Wayne.

Frayed Knot Jun 16 2010 06:10 AM Re: Chip Watch

Yeah, but they didn't let Glavine and Smoltz walk while owing them $30 million

soupcan Jun 16 2010 07:23 AM Re: Chip Watch

Chipper and his agent (is it Boras?) are gonna walk in to the GMs office and say - Give me next year's $12 million and we'll call it even.

Frayed Knot Jun 16 2010 07:29 AM Re: Chip Watch

And they'll call the $12 mil a salary for his new title in the Braves front office - some honorary thing where he has to show up like four times a year. Vice President in charge of Hooters waitresses or something like that.

Ceetar Jun 16 2010 07:35 AM Re: Chip Watch

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I think that's the right approach. Ovations all the way through would be a little disingenuous, no? Well, chances are he'll be scratched from the game with a nagging injury. Maybe Cox will pinch hit him late in the 9th so we can taunt/ovate him?

Willets Point Jun 16 2010 07:43 AM Re: Chip Watch

The best tribute would be signs that read "Goodbye Chipper. We won't miss you." It's just the kind of mixture of respect and loathing that I think Chipper would appreciate.

TheOldMole Jun 16 2010 11:40 AM Re: Chip Watch

A chorus of "Hats off to Larry"?

Benjamin Grimm Jun 16 2010 11:56 AM Re: Chip Watch

TheOldMole wrote: A chorus of "Hats off to Larry"? Excellent!

Frayed Knot Jun 16 2010 11:58 AM Re: Chip Watch

See, if stadiums still employed organists a clued-in musician would come up with something like that - and if half the stadium (or even the intended target) didn't get it well that's their problem.