by Jerry Keys

"It is a pity that, as one gradually gains experience, one loses one's youth." - Vincent van Gogh

Many Atlanta Brave fans had gotten used to seeing the same group of players take the field daily or on a fifth day. That scene was prevalent throughout the 1990's and into the 2000's. One by one the remaining veterans from their five World Series appearances were gone. The only current Brave to have appeared in any of their five Series is Larry "Chipper" Jones. Jones participated in three of the five Series Atlanta saw action in, 1995, 1996 and 1999.

Jones was the #1 overall pick in the 1990 draft. There were 26 selections in the first round, in addition to 14 supplemental picks.

Of the 40 overall players selected, only Jones and #20 Mike Mussina went on to have highly productive careers. Jones posted solid numbers in the minors and received a call-up during "The Last Great Pennant Race of 1993." Chipper did not see much action as the Braves had to post a 104-58 record to better the San Francisco Giants' 103-59 to win the NL West.

Although he was a budding superstar, it appeared to be a difficult task trying to find room for him to flourish. At 3B was team leader Terry Pendleton and at SS Jeff Blauser, who was coming off a career-year. The outfield was loaded with two players entering their prime, Dave Justice and Ron Gant, and speedster Deion Sanders. Luck appeared to shine for Jones when Gant was injured riding his ATV before the season began. But in another bad mishap for the Braves in 1994, Jones tore his ACL in spring training and missed the "entire" '94 season.

Atlanta chose not to re-sign Pendleton after the '94 season and awarded it to Jones. Jones posted respectable numbers for a rookie in 1995 (.265, 23, 86) but came up short for NL Rookie of the Year, in a very controversial decision, to Hideo Nomo. In his first post-season, Jones surprised quite a few fans by going 20 for 55 with 3 HRs and 8 RBIs. With the exception of 1997, Jones hit at least 26 HRs from 1996-2004 and drove in at least 96 runs in those nine years. In any other era, those numbers would be highly regarded. But not in the "PED Era," even though his name has yet to surface as a user or 'potential' user.

Several pundits blame his two years in the outfield (all of 2002-03 and parts of 2004) as reason for his nagging injuries; which has led to a decline at the plate. Before his transition to the outfield, his numbers were borderline superstar (PED Era keep in mind) and he was entering his prime. He returned to 3B during the 2004 season but has hit more than 22 HRs three times (max was 30 in '04) and driven in more than 75 runs three times (max was 102 in 2007).  At the time of this article, Jones' career numbers were:  .305, 2535 hits, 440 HRs, 1519 RBIs.  If not for the injury bug, his numbers could have mirrored Manny Ramirez's.

After missing the stretch run and playoffs last year, Jones spoke candidly of retirement. He is signed through 2012 with an option for 2013. He signed a three-year contract for 2010-12 for $42,000,000. He has been paid kindly for his talents throughout the years, making at least $10,000,000 each year since 2001 and in the opinion of some fans…overpaid. Although one must consider the fact, Chipper is the face of the Braves. He is as much a Braves as his predecessor, Dale Murphy. Who can forget his 1999 MVP season (.319, 45, 110)? If you did…ask any New York Met fan; I guarantee they will remind you. Or his flirtation with .400 into June (.364 for year and batting crown) 2008?

Chipper could have easily hit the free agent market after 2000 and grabbed a lot more cash than Atlanta offered. He inked a nine-year deal long before he could have filed. Chipper will turn 40 next April and 2011 may be his final year. If he does, he will retire with a hits total similar to Tim Raines and Steve Garvey, a home run total to Jeff Bagwell and Carl Yastrzemski, a runs batted in to Willie McCovey and Fred McGriff.  Not bad numbers to think about 20-plus years ago when he was drafted. 

"Forty is the old age of youth, fifty is the youth of old age." - Hosea Ballou


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