Chipper Jones has announced he will retire following the 2012 season.Press conference later this morning.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 22, 2012
I spent so many years disliking Chipper because of an event in 1995. As the years have passed I've learned to not take things so personally - especially since my brother didn't! - and I do recognize what he's meant to the team and to other fans.
Here's what's sticking in my mind... it's not that I'll miss Chipper or that I ever saw him as an idol or the face of the Braves... it's that I appreciate what a steady influence he was on the team. He played as much as his body allowed and he was loyal to the club that took care of him. Alison and I were just saying last night that we could see him skipping the step of moving up within the minor leagues and just immediately becoming our Atlanta hitting coach as soon as he retires. Alison: "He's a switch hitter! He can help everyone! It's perfect!"
Thanks for not drawing the decision out any more, Chipper. It's time. And we really appreciate all the positive things you've done for the Braves.
Please post your reactions to Chipper's retirement in the comments.
By Ginny Sowell March 22, 2012 - 10:06 am
Great article Lauren! He is a good guy! I met him and he was as nice as he could be.
I will miss him at the hot corner though! =-)
By Kate March 22, 2012 - 12:51 pm
I stopped following your blog a while back bc of the “neg” comments concerning chipper (but after today’s announcement I HAD to see what u posted)! He is the face of a team that you and I so dearly love. For a long time he WAS th Braves: taking pay cuts, etc. He made mistakes and in his early years took a lot of things for granted! But we ALL make mistakes, especially when we are young. My bro is a 24 year old pro athlete in Atlanta and I’ve seen first hand what media and scrutinity can do to one’s personality! And my bro is not neeeear as effected as chipper was! I think this statement on your thoughts on Chipper was classy and I had to post to you to thank you for that!!!
-Kate, a fellow female Braves fan ;-)
By Lauren T. March 22, 2012 - 12:57 pm
I’m sorry you thought I was overly negative towards Chipper. He’s not been my favorite since around December 1995 and I didn’t really try to hide that, but I did try to regulate what I wrote so I didn’t seriously trash talk him.
I wish the best to your brother, whoever he is. Chipper’s comments to my brother changed his view on baseball quite a bit.
By Kate March 22, 2012 - 1:12 pm
Yeah, I know you tried! But when a fan pops on to another fans blog, and always sees neg stuff about a player, it gets hard to read! But I never doubted you had your reasons or your right to express that on your own blog!
Lol. My bro plays for the Falcons and would killllll me if I mentioned his name HERE. He’s young and is learning quickly to keep to himself at this level!
I’m gonna look you up on twitter! Take care!!
By BravesBeWinning :-) March 22, 2012 - 7:20 pm
*cries*