April 09, 2011

Chipper Jones Gets 2,500th Hit: In a 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Cliff Lee, Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones hit a go-ahead, three-run double in the fourth inning and a sixth inning single to reach 2,500 hits. Only five active players have more career hits. He's three RBIs from joining Eddie Murray as the only switch-hitters in Major League history with 2,500 hits and 1,500 RBIs. "It was really cool to do it Opening Night here in front of a packed house, instead of in front of 25,000 or 30,000 in midsummer when it doesn't mean all that much," he said.

posted by rcade to baseball at 04:43 PM - 6 comments

Is Chipper Jones a legitimate hall of fame candidate?

posted by tron7 at 12:29 AM on April 10, 2011

Love that one tron--and yes, on both accounts.

posted by jagsnumberone at 01:46 AM on April 10, 2011

"It was really cool to do it Opening Night here in front of a packed house, instead of in front of 25,000 or 30,000 in midsummer when it doesn't mean all that much," he said.
Wait, so on April 9th he's already thrown in the towel on his team's season? No one else thinks that's kinda weird for a player to do?

posted by hincandenza at 03:00 AM on April 10, 2011

I don't think that's the point, I think he means in the run of a long season, achievements tend to get rolled over. By doing it opening night, it was in front of a bigger crowd and there wasn't as much competing with it for baseball media time.

posted by dfleming at 07:13 AM on April 10, 2011

I think if anything is to be read into his comments it's that the crowds in midsummer aren't too big or into it. Famously fickle those Brave crowds. I remember when they weren't selling out playoff games earlier in the decade.

I'm certain he isn't throwing in the towel. A lot of people are suggesting the Braves are a Wild Card contender.

And Chipper is most assuredly a Hall of Famer if he hangs em up tomorrow.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:30 AM on April 10, 2011

Without the occasional Tomahawk chop, you'd feel the need to send a team of physician's assistants into the stands to check the vital signs of a typical midsummer Braves crowd.

There may have been more measurable crowd energy produced by the average 4000-5000 people and two or three drum beaters who endured the miserable lakeside conditions attending Cleveland games at cavernous Municipal Stadium during the Indians' deep funk years.

posted by beaverboard at 02:13 AM on April 11, 2011

You're not logged in. Please log in or register.