Another one hot right off the presses. It looks like Chipper Jones will be a lifelong member of the Atlanta Braves:
The Atlanta Braves announced today that they have agreed to terms with third baseman Chipper Jones on a three-year contract extension. Jones was due to become a free agent after the 2009 season, but the extension runs through the 2012 campaign, with a vesting option for 2013, and virtually guarantees that the 36-year-old Jones will play his entire Major League career in a Braves uniform.
Fan-f-ing-tastic! Finally some really really good news to hang our hats on in this off-season of dreary news. There's a press conference at 2:30pm today. Kudos to Chipper, Frank Wren, and the whole gang for getting this hammered out now and not letting it drag on into the season.
0 recs | 75 comments
Is there a clause....
that keeps him from chewing his gum like a 14 year old prima donna?
Cammando2317 - March 31, 2009
It's not gum...
…it’s flesh…
bwellnjonesco - March 31, 2009
+1
Gage23 - March 31, 2009
not funny
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
not even close...
sddbaker - March 31, 2009
actually, it sort of is.
apoxonbothyourhouses - March 31, 2009
great news with Chipper….
Tigers just released Gary Sheffield….interesting move on their part, eating the 14 million still owed to him.
jwrocks - March 31, 2009
Who’s going to be the first to suggest a Sheff/Atlanta reunion?
VegasAces - March 31, 2009
Sign Sheffield to play LF and void G. Anderson’s contract. I don’t want any Andersons on this team.
TradeAndruw - March 31, 2009
i would, but...
if anyone was on the juice, it’s the Sheff. he hasn’t been the same player since he was in New York.
apoxonbothyourhouses - March 31, 2009
Who didn’t see this coming after the got Josh Anderson, he makes up for all of Sheff’s power.
DMac142005 - March 31, 2009
Can't help but think
this keeps Chip from getting to 500 and/or 3,000. If he would have DH’d the last 3-4 years I was holding hope he’d hit both.
PriceMultiCyYoungs - March 31, 2009
I think he’s a hall of famer already. He’s one of the five best switch-hitters of all time.
gondeee - March 31, 2009
Definitely...
bwellnjonesco - March 31, 2009
I agree that he's already a HOF'er but it would be nice to see him hit both those numbers.
PriceMultiCyYoungs - March 31, 2009
HOLY SWEET MOTHER OF PEARL!!!!
Sorry…. but I am just very excited about this. I could care less how much they pay him as long as he stays a Bravo for the rest of his career.
bbxxj - March 31, 2009
Quick Frank!
Sign yourself to an extension!
It was funny on the Saturday broadcast (well, besides the OTHER great moment from that game…) when Boog and Joe were talking to Chipper, and they bumped him for Scheurholtz. They were hounding him about if he had anything for them to pass along to JS. He just said “Tell him 4 years”. and then Scheurholtz said something to deflect the statement.
10-4 - March 31, 2009
I remember that comment. That was classic not-so-subtle Chipper. Great stuff.
gondeee - March 31, 2009
Haha, damn I missed that.
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
I finally found...
…this YouTube video of the “other great moment”. Quality not so great, but all I could find. Classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwRYi4TUHgw
sddbaker - March 31, 2009
“managerial reaction”
10-4 - March 31, 2009
They edited it out of the later broadcast on the MLB network. I was disappointed.
cbwilk - March 31, 2009
Its also amazing when you compare Chipper and Smoltz in regards to contract negotiations. They both seemingly will spend their entire career with one team, while usually taking hometown discounts. Chipper’s negotations have always been quiet and drama free, while Smoltz’s were, well, not so much (see Homeboy Upstairs).
10-4 - March 31, 2009
CHIPPER >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>smoltz
justincredubil02 - March 31, 2009
Word
bravesguy311 - March 31, 2009
He deserves it
I think that Chipper ruined his chances at 500 home runs by selflessly moving to the Outfield. He never had an injury history until he had to do the extra running on a daily basis. The man is one of the super-stars of the game, and he re-negotiated his own contract to provide the Braves with more salary flexibility. Chipper has sacrificed and bled for this team. And, he deserves every single penny and more that the Braves’ will pay him for the next 3 years.
Fortunately, even without the 500 homers, he is a 1st-ballot Hall-of-Famer.
Kulani23 - March 31, 2009
This.
justincredubil02 - March 31, 2009
Is there some sort of confirmation about his injuries stemming from him playing the OF? He played there for two full seasons and started breaking down in the third. I suppose it could have finally started to catch up to him, but I never heard anything to that effect.
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
i know he pulled some quads or hammys running after fly balls.
10-4 - March 31, 2009
And that is the lingering effect that started his downward spiral?
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
i would say Father Time did it. That asshole.
10-4 - March 31, 2009
Exactly. I don’t really buy the OF theory.
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
And a good bit of unluck.
He’s had a few freak accidents over the years too. Maybe someone else wouldn’t have been hurt as bad as he was when they happened, but you can’t predict what’s gonna help him strain an oblique next.
FineHamAbounds - March 31, 2009
True.
I point people to the time his foot slid in the wet SF infield trying to field the slow roller.
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
That game should not have been played, I was there, it was absolutely disgusting outside. What about in Pittsburgh when he jumped over the 3rd baseman, or whatever, and bruised his palms? That lingered for a while.
mvandonsel - March 31, 2009
that was the most frustrating injury ever
and I only had to watch
traphicg - March 31, 2009
Hey!
I was there too, for the SF game.
Worst. Day. Ever.
Yakker - March 31, 2009
+10
mvandonsel - March 31, 2009
Chipper attributes it to that… i rememebr from an interview he gave, he thought those years in LF, put added strain on his legs.
Swo12bv - March 31, 2009
Combo
I think Chip just got a bit older, coupled with some extra effort in the OF, and started to slow down and bruise up. Its annoying to keep reading that LF caused this downturn, b/c he wasnt exactly a rookie when it all started.
Keep in mind though, Chip plays nasty, all the time. He gives it his all on the days he plays, so I started to overlook a lot of days he sits.
traphicg - March 31, 2009
Fair enough. If he said it I won’t argue it, I just never heard it before.
Thanks, jh
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
like i said i have no sources for this to back it up, only my memory…. Which is subject to failings when alcohol is consumed in massive quantities
Swo12bv - March 31, 2009
I would imagine that even after he hangs up his cleats Chipper will still be getting a check from the Atlanta Braves. Just like Hank Aaron will always have a position with the Braves, Chipper should. too. Don’t think he’ll get the Ted’s address named after though.
Euruproktos - March 31, 2009
*after him though. (not even drunk)
Euruproktos - March 31, 2009
He should take Pendleton's place
Look what Pendleton failed to do with Frenchy, and look what 1 offseason with Chipper has done.
justincredubil02 - March 31, 2009
i just checked his stats Braves’s spring stats
and frenchy has been playing relatively well so far (knock on my wood)… no power but at least he is getting on base.
Swo12bv - March 31, 2009
The most important stat
BB – 7
SO – 4
justincredubil02 - March 31, 2009
That blows my mind.
VegasAces - April 2, 2009
Great News!!
I couldn’t be happier for the Braves or Chipper. He’s a class act…… the anti-smoltz
El Bravos - March 31, 2009
awesome news
Go FW.
jc25 - March 31, 2009
A Cubs fan stopping by..
to say congrats. I’m from Mobile, Al so I keep tabs on the Braves. Chipper is a first class ball player and human being.
The ideal ballplayer that I wish the Cubs had found some way to grab over the years.
See you guys in October!
MattHaggard - March 31, 2009
Why, you getting tickets for The Ted?
Just kidding – thanks for stopping by and your kind words. Good luck this season.
VegasAces - March 31, 2009
He meant the beginning of October, not the middle or the end.
gondeee - March 31, 2009
That explains it.
VegasAces - March 31, 2009
+1
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
if thats your real last name, you are the man.
10-4 - March 31, 2009
+1
mvandonsel - March 31, 2009
As Lenny Dykstra would say...
“Chipper Jones is not human. I think he’s been created by Ted Turner and some scientists.”
Little Lady - March 31, 2009
YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FINALLY!!!!!!
I hope Larry Wayne leaves a lovely voicemail for Smoltzie today….
traphicg - March 31, 2009
Caps off a fantastic offseason.
I’m glad, if only, because this means the Mets get to taunt him for a few more years with “Laaaarrryyy… Laaaarrryyy…” which doesn’t do anything except help him slam another bomb off their scoreboard. You’d think they would learn, but then again, they are Mets fans. :)
FineHamAbounds - March 31, 2009
I think I can sum this up better than any of you can.
THANK GOD.
That is all.
bigjoe - March 31, 2009
WHOAH
Optimism from bigjoe? no way lol just messin with ya man.
rockybull - March 31, 2009
Don’t you mean ’Thank Pujols"?
cbwilk - March 31, 2009
Bottom line
This offseason really has some blatant undertones:
B-Mac IS the face of our Franchise.
CHIP (not Smoltz) is the pillar of our Franchise.
Our legacy is OVER.
Our NEW legacy is JUST BEGINNING!!!!!!
[obviously there should be some loud, ominous, bass-filled optimistic march music playing right now, perhaps a silhouette of B-Mac and Chip in action….]
traphicg - March 31, 2009
Nice move by the front office
no way they were ever gonna let Chipper go after losing Smoltz
Bravely going forward - March 31, 2009
I’m not sure Chipper makes it to 3,000 hits but 500 HR’s isn’t out of the question. He would have to average about 145 hits for the next 5 years to get to 3000 and 18 HR over that time frame to get to 500. If Atlanta can continue to bring in help for Chipper in the lineup, I think we would be able to squeeze more AB’s from him. We have some internal options that could provide that but Chipper’s modest salaries should allow the team the flexibility to add via trade and/or free agency.
jeg - March 31, 2009
Yeah, I really don’t see why people are writing him off for 500 homers. If he hits 23 a year for the next 4, he’s there. That’s completely within his reach.
cbwilk - March 31, 2009
500 homers
Unfortunately, Chipper will probably not make it 4 more years. He’s not the freak of nature that Smoltz is, although he has the same determination. And, to me, the fact that he is breaking down shows that his numbers are not chemically enhanced. So, he will decline over the next 3 years just as he should. But, he also does not need 500 homers or 3,000 hits. If he were to retire today, he would be in the Hall of Fame on the 1st ballot.
Kulani23 - March 31, 2009
His numbers have improved the last 3 seasons…he’s not showing any sign of decline. And it’s not like the “breaking down” you’re talking about how increased over the years either. In summation, you’re just making shit up.
Smoltz's Beard - March 31, 2009
Hahahaha
wow…I literally Lol’d on this one.
Also, I would like to argue that Smoltz is NOT a freak of nature, but rather, a freak of medicine and science. How many surgeries has he had to repair himself? How many has Chipper had / needed?
If Chipper were to surgically repair his knee / ankle / writst, I bet he goes 6 more years.
justincredubil02 - March 31, 2009
I think Chipper winds up with 500+ HR, 2800-2900 hits, 1600+ RBI, 550+ 2B’s, and around 1700 runs scored. With 6 ASG appearances, 2 silver sluggers, a batting title, a World Series Championship, and the ‘99 NL MVP award plus whatever awards he may achieve in the future, he has quite the HOF resume. I hope he keeps his lifetime batting average over .300 as well and doesn’t wind up like Mantle, who was apparently very upset at losing his lifetime .300 average. I’m not too worried that Chipper will hang around too long. If he began to struggle to perform, I think he has enough pride to not embarrass himself and retire.
On a different note, does anyone else feel that Chipper may be under-appreciated nationwide? I feel that he gets overshadowed by guys like Manny, A-Rod, Bonds, etc. Assuming Chipper is and has been clean, perhaps as more and more guys are revealed as steroid users, Chipper will rise in stature. I feel that Chipper is one of the more intelligent and multifaceted hitters of the generation and belongs in the conversation with Manny and co as the best pure hitter of the times. I don’t believe he gets enough credit for just how good he has been. Chipper was and still is when healthy the prototype number 3 hitter.
jeg - March 31, 2009
Obviously Chipper deserves to be included with Manny and the rest, but the fact that he A. does not play in Boston/New York/LA and B. is not a prima donna, means that he will always be under appreciated.
acie4mvp - March 31, 2009
Great point. Sportcenter and all the major news outlets are about selling the “most compelling” story, which is never about a good guy (relatively speaking for those who can’t get over the Hooters thing) just showing up and doing his job.
cbwilk - March 31, 2009
Chipper is quietly acknowledged
In the grand perspective, he’s grossly overlooked; but there are little subtle hints out there that indicate that people do know who he is. I’m referring mostly to TV spots, where if there is any sort of MLB general spots, Chipper has a tendency to make those.
• I LIVE FOR THIS commercial – only two MLB guys are shown; Ichiro and Chipper Jones
• 2008 All Star Game spots – Jeter. Ortiz. Ichiro. o shit we need an nl guy Chipper Jones
Those are two off the top of my head. But often I get the impression that there is a lot of petty resentment and residual need to ignore the Braves, due to their repetitive success (boo hoo) and saturation of the MLB world for their decade and a half. And unfortunately, Chipper takes the brunt of it, because he’s the superstar of the Braves.
royhobbs - April 1, 2009
Awesome News
I know I’m ’late to the party, but still happy!
nuftjedi - March 31, 2009
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