Atlanta Braves Not Looking Too Chipper

            To me, a great baseball player is just measured by his statistics; it is about how much he gives himself up for his team. Chipper Jones is one the greatest players to ever play the game of baseball. Some may agree and then some may not agree. His career statistics are not the only reason why Chipper stands out among other ball players, but it is his unselfish behavior that puts him above many more. The Atlanta Braves are out in front of the Nation League East and are fighting to stay number one all the way till October. Chipper joins, who wasn’t having one of his better seasons made an incredible stop, jump and throw to first base where he landed wrong on this left knee and he ended up tearing his A.C.L. Chipper once again giving himself up for his team caused him to have to have season ending surgery.

Chipper Jones knows what it is to be a team player. He is the type of ball player every team needs. Put the team first, and then worry about yourself. Chipper was asked to move to left field after playing many seasons at his natural position at third base. This caused Chipper to have some hamstring problems which was one of his few nagging injuries he had throughout his career. He did not complain or ask to move back to third, he strictly did what the team had asked of him. That type of attitude is lost on many of the younger players who are becoming super stars in Major League Baseball.

Although injuries may have slowed down Chippers production in the past couple of seasons, he still remains a threat in the batter’s box. His impressive career statistics makes him one of the most productive switch hitters in baseball’s history.  The names on that list are pretty well respected ball players. Chipper has a lifetime batting average of .306, with 2490 career hits, 436 career homeruns and 1491 career runs batted in. He is number three on the all-time list of homeruns by a switch hitter, and is number seven all-time on the list of career hits by a switch hitter. So even though Chipper has been no stranger to the disabled list, he still manages to swing a productive bat that has helped Atlanta Braves become a dominating team in the nineties.

Although the Atlanta Braves will have to finish the race without Chipper, there is hope of a return for him next season. The surgery to repair Chipper’s left knee was a great success. Doctors say it will probably take around six months for Chipper to fully be ready to play ball again. This time table would mean that Chipper would be ready for the spring of next season. Chipper is going to try to make a comeback, to see if he still has something to offer to the game that has made him a star. Although there was many talks of retirement early on this seasons, Chipper is going to push to make a comeback and see if he still has something to give back to the game of baseball.

Chipper is closing in on a few mile stones that can be achieved if he decides to make a comeback to Major League Baseball. Those career statistics include: 1500 career runs batted in, 2500 career hits, 450 career homeruns and 500 career doubles. These statistics can really decide whether or not Chipper will receive a ballot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Though to me, he already has more than enough career statistics to be voted in. Chipper is one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game, and play the game the way it was meant to be played.