March 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones hasn't played in the last two games after jamming his left thumb in his final at-bat Friday against the Nationals. He said Sunday he expected with another day off Monday he should be ready to return Tuesday night against the Phillies. "I could go," Jones said. "I just don't want to do it again." Jones said he jammed his thumb in a similar fashion the last week of spring training last year and it affected him into the start of the season. He wants to avoid that this time around. "If (it jammed) again, I could be out a week," Jones said. Jones is 1-for-5 in three games so far this spring. He's trying to rebound from a rough 2009 season by his standards after hitting 100 points ..."
March 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Well, it's Sunday and a day of rest for Jason Heyward, who gets his first game out of the starting lineup today after starting the first five Braves game this spring. We'll see if Bobby Cox can contain himself and resist the urge to bring Heyward in later in the game….Nah, he will surely get a full days' rest and deserves it. Heyward has done just about everything the Braves could have possibly wanted to see so far, hitting .400 (4-for-10) with four walks, two RBIs, two runs and two stolen bases. He's impressing everyone watching, including Chipper Jones. "Every ball he hits in spring training you can hear the crowd go 'ooh' and 'ah,'" Jones said. "The ball jumps off his bat. He hits balls ..."
March 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones jammed his left thumb in his final at-bat Friday against the Nationals and expects to be out of the Braves lineup for Sunday and Monday's games as he continues to rest it. Jones said he should be back in there on Tuesday night against the Phillies. "I could go," Jones said. "I just don't want to do it again.""
February 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
It was the worst season of Chipper Jones' career, but something good came out of it for the Atlanta Braves. And no, you hardbitten cynics - ahem - I'm not talking about the possibility that Chipper would actually follow through on a vow to retire if he struggles in 2010 like he did in 2009, thus absolving the Braves of about $28 million he's owed during the 2011-2012 seasons. (I'm with Bobby Cox on that one, and just have a hard time believing Chipper would do that. But I also don't think he'll struggle like that again this season.) No, what I'm talking about, the positive development vis-à-vis Chipper's '09 struggles, is how the Braves finally managed to win some games, plenty of games, ..."
February 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After slumping through the second half of a career-worst season, Chipper Jones examined what went wrong and came to a couple of conclusions. His swing was too long, and his strength was too low. That's why the Braves' 37-year-old third baseman reported to spring training last week not only bigger and more muscular, but also accompanied by Larry Jones Sr., his father and personal hitting coach. "We're just going over some stuff, points of emphasis," said Larry Jr., aka Chipper, who described what he and pops noticed. "Early in my career I would keep both hands on the bat through the swing," he said, "and over the years I've gotten a lot longer with my swing because I'm letting go.""
February 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones has said it more than once, but with all due respect, Braves manager Bobby Cox isn't buying it. Jones said late in his career-worst 2009 season that if he struggled to a similar degree in 2010, he would retire. This despite a three-year, $42 million contract extension signed one year ago, which starts this season and runs through 2012. Cox was asked what he had thought about Jones' comments late last season, which the former National League MVP reiterated recently. "I never took them to heart at all," Cox said Thursday. "He'll play three more years, and play good." Jones has insisted he would forgo the money left on his contract and "ride off into the sunset" if he could no ..."
February 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones has a big, new tattoo and a big, new right-handed slugger behind him in the lineup. At 37, the third baseman still has adrenaline pumping on reporting day, even if he was later than usual Monday on account of seeing his buddy Jason Aldean play a country-music concert in Augusta over the weekend. "The excitement is still the same," Jones said on the eve of his 18th major league spring training. "The dawn of a new season is exciting for everybody, it doesn't matter how old you are. You're anxious to get in camp and see the guys you're going to live with for the next eight months. "It's like the first day of school. Everybody knows what it's like the first day of school. This is ..."
January 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
It's a new year, and Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is expecting different results than in 2009. Just one season after winning the National League batting title with a career-high .364 average, Jones hit only .264 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs -- all career-worst marks for the six-time All-Star. He's entering the first season of a three-year, $42 million contract extension signed last spring. However, Jones, who will turn 38 in April, has said he might retire after the upcoming season if he doesn't play better than he did in 2009. During a recent, wide-ranging interview with the AJC, Jones reiterated that he was serious about retiring if he endures another season like 2009. But he also ..."
September 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Braves third baseman Chipper Jones' homer was his first since Aug. 29 and 17th of the season, and he still needs three more in the last 12 games to break a record he shares with former Braves great Eddie Mathews. They are the only major leaguers to begin careers with 14 consecutive seasons of at least 20 homers. The Dodgers' Manny Ramirez needs one home run for his 15th consecutive season with at least 20. But he hit 17 homers in 91 games as a rookie in 1994, then began his streak with 31 homers in 1995. Ramirez has hit more than 30 homers twelve times in his career. Jones has had six seasons of 30 or more homers, the last in 2004."
September 19
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones was back in the Braves' lineup for Friday's game against Philadelphia, after missing four consecutive starts with a strained groin. The Braves took a season-high seven-game winning streak into the series opener with the Phillies, but manager Bobby Cox said there was no reluctance tothe slumping veteran back in the lineup. Jones wasn't in the first lineup posted Friday afternoon, but Cox added Jones after he took ground balls and ran in the outfield during an afternoon test of the strained groin. "He's ready to go," Cox said. "If Chipper gets hot, he's been known to carry a team.""
September 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones was out of the lineup Sunday, this time with a sore abdomen muscle. He missed three games early last month with an oblique strain, but Jones was told this is a different area of the same muscle. He doesn't suspect they're related. The area he hurt a few weeks back was more to the side, while this pain is right under his rib cage in the front. "I started feeling it a couple days ago, and it just gradually got worse," Jones said. "It was sore. When [the trainer] was poking and prodding on it [Saturday] night, I almost came out of my chair." He was hoping with the off day Monday, he would be ready to play again Tuesday night in Houston. "I've never had pain in the front part ..."
September 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones plans to appear as a guest on the set of ESPN's "College GameDay" show Saturday morning at Centennial Olympic Park, where the show will air in advance of Saturday night's Chick-fil-A Kickoff game between Virginia Tech and Alabama. Jones will join Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard to talk college football. "Florida does have the No. 1 team in the country," said Jones, who grew up a Gators fan in DeLand, Fla. "[ESPN] is in Atlanta the first week of the season, so it seems like a normal fit." Jones said he'll probably show up in Gators colors."
August 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The body of a 22-year-old man was found Thursday morning on Chipper Jones' family ranch in southwest Texas. "He was in a part of the ranch we don't go to on a daily basis," Jones' father, Larry Jones Sr. said Thursday evening from Double Dime Ranch in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Jones Sr. said the man, a Mexican national, had entered the country illegally. The extreme heat and the drought would have made it difficult for anyone to survive without food or water, he said. Thursday was the 83rd straight day of temperatures topping at least 100 degrees, Jones said. Recently, Jones' truck thermometer read 124 degrees. The man's body was discovered around 6:30 a.m. by a ranch foreman. Jones Sr. ..."
August 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Third baseman Chipper Jones missed his second consecutive start Saturday after straining the oblique muscle in his left side during batting practice Friday. Jones said he felt better Saturday, but any movement requiring torso twisting was painful. He said he probably wouldn't test it to see if he's ready until Tuesday's game against Washington. The Braves are off Monday after completing a seven-game road trip today in Los Angeles. Jones missed a week in spring training with a right oblique strain that knocked him out of the World Baseball Classic. He didn't know how long this one might keep him out, but he hoped to miss only the rest of the weekend series."
July 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Stop us if you've heard this one before: Chipper Jones was out of the Braves' lineup Tuesday with a sore right groin. The 37-year-old third baseman cautiously predicted he would not be out long. "A day or two," he said. "Hopefully." Jones said he felt a twinge as he came out of the batter's box Monday on his fourth-inning single. He scored on Yunel Escobar's hit later in the inning and played the entire game. Jones was replaced Tuesday by versatile Martin Prado, who moved from second base after starting seven consecutive games at that position. Utility man Brooks Conrad made his second start of the season at second. Although the Braves are usually far more formidable with Jones in the ..."
June 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Furman Bisher
"
OK, now it's the Braves' turn. After all those seasons of shoring up their roster with blockbuster trades in mid-season, at the expense of raiding the farm system, consider this: (Are you sitting down?) Tell the world they're putting Chipper Jones on the open market. Anybody out there in need of a third baseman, or, on the American League side, a designated hitter? I can hear all the gulps, and the screeches, and calls for my scalp. First place, forget where you saw this. This is not my choice at all, but considering the direction the Braves have taken the past four years, the lock is running low on sentimentality. Sure, Chipper is the face of the Braves. And the voice. He speaks for the ..."
June 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
John Smoltz said all along he didn't want his debut with the Red Sox to come against the Braves. One of his longest running former teammates Chipper Jones understood that. Jones said Wednesday he was happy not to have to face Smoltz, either this weekend in Boston or next in Atlanta. The Red Sox announced Tuesday that Smoltz, coming off shoulder surgery, will make his debut for the Red Sox on June 25 against the Nationals. Jones said he thought of the film "For Love of the Game," in which Kevin Costner's character had to face an old friend with a no-hitter on the line. "Probably for the first time in my career, I wouldn't want to be that guy coming up to the plate in that kind of ..."
June 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Braves players Brian McCann and Chipper Jones remain among the top vote getters for their positions for next month's All-Star Game in St. Louis. The latest NL voting results were announced Monday. McCann, a three-time All-Star, has received 895,663 fan votes, trailing only the Cardinals' Yadier Molina (1,051,485). Jones reamined third among third baseman with 864,017 votes. The Mets' David Wright (1,256,736) is the top vote-getter, followed by the Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman (920,780). Jones made the team in 2008 after a seven year absence. Fan voting for the All-Star game, which will be held in St. Louis on July 14, concludes at midnight on July 2. Rosters will be announced on July 5."
June 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
It's a lovely afternoon for baseball in Baltimore. Humidity is much lower, and it's breezy. Great. Wish you were here….And hey, at least one of you is, if I remember right! So let's talk Chipper Jones. He comes into today's game hungry for a hit, and in the rarest of positions for him, an 0-for-18 slump. It's Jones' longest hitless streak since he went 0-for-18 in 2005, and if he has a handful more of fruitless at-bats, he's in danger of matching his career-high streak of 0-for-23. The last time he went that long without a hit was August 3-9, 2000. Chipper being Chipper, and great to the media, he doesn't flinch or bristle when you walk up to him and start asking about it. He knows ..."
June 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones has gone five games without a hit, dropping his batting average to .298 with an 0-for-21 stretch. Two more fruitless at-bats and he matches his career-long slump of 0-for-23, which he did Aug. 3-9, 2000. "It is what it is," Jones said Sunday. "I'm struggling right now. I did barrel a ball today, but I think it's just something I need to get in the cage and iron out over the next two days and hopefully get out of this as quick as possible." The Braves are off Monday in Cincinnati before opening a series against the Reds Tuesday. "My mind is telling me one thing, and my body is doing another thing," said Jones, of balls he's rolling over to second base. "I'm thinking up the ..."
June 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones plays the game of baseball about as well as anyone who has ever played. His friends also will tell you he's an outstanding hunter. For Jones, the two sports have always walked hand-in-hand. And they still do. If you want to find Jones during the offseason, you might want to look for the nearest field. His hunting skills are now recognized in a series of "Buck Commander" videos, featuring him and many of his baseball hunting buddies on various trips. Jones just received a copy of a second edition DVD that should released soon. I started hunting with my dad when I was about 7. I started practicing gun safety very early on in life. My dad never let me out of his sight with a gun ..."
June 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones has always said he prefers his third spot in the batting order, so reporters went straight to his locker Thursday for reaction after seeing the lineup with new center fielder Nate McLouth hitting third and Jones fourth. "I told [manager Bobby Cox] I was open to whatever he thought was best for the club," said Jones, who spoke with Cox after the Braves finalized their trade Wednesday for the All-Star center fielder from the Pittsburgh Pirates. "I don't know if this is permanent, but we'll see." The Braves' scheduled game against the Cubs was rained out Thursday, but Cox's batting order had second baseman Kelly Johnson in the leadoff role, followed by shortstop Yunel Escobar, ..."
June 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
It's been said that guys like Chipper Jones could roll out of bed and hit. We're not sure about that, but we now know the Braves third baseman can limp to the plate and hit. After he said Sunday morning that he might need downtime if his aching toe doesn't improve soon, Jones drove in four runs on three hits, including a homer, during the first four innings of Sunday's 9-3 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Throughout the Arizona series, he had a pronounced limp in the clubhouse. It takes a while for the 37-year-old to get things loosened and tolerable in the right big toe that he sprained on May 21. "[The pain] is still there," he said before Sunday's game. "The one thing that concerns ..."
June 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
With most of a lousy road trip behind them and a day off coming Monday for them to sit around and agonize, the Braves wanted - no, make that needed - something positive to happen Sunday. And it did. Plenty of things, actually. Rookie Kris Medlen had nine strikeouts in six innings in his first win, the top three in the Braves' batting order had nine hits and six RBI, and Chipper Jones and Garret Anderson homered in a 9-3 Braves rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The win in the finale of a seven-game trip left the Braves with a 2-5 record and a split of the four-game Arizona series after being swept at San Francisco. "It feels good," Medlen (1-2) said after allowing four hits, one run and ..."
May 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones' sore right elbow kept him out of the lineup for the Braves' series opener against the Mets on Monday night. He was available to pinch-hit and hoped to be back at third base Tuesday. "I've got some fluid in my elbow," said Jones, who hyperextended it on consecutive swings Sunday at Philadelphia. "It's still keeping me from being able to throw." Martin Prado replaced him at third base and also hit third in the lineup. Jones received treatment for the elbow three times Monday and hoped that the fluid buildup would subside before Tuesday night's second game in the series at Citi Field. The Braves had won four of five games before Monday, while the Mets had a seven-game winning ..."
May 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones has a sore right elbow that could sideline him for at least the opening game of the Braves' series against the Mets that starts Monday night in New York. Jones said he hyperextended the elbow twice on consecutive swings on a fifth-inning strikeout during Sunday's 4-2 win against the Philadelphia Phillies. "I've had a pretty serious case of tendinitis in my elbow all year," the 37-year-old third baseman said. "Coupled with hyperextending it today, it got to a point where I couldn't really throw across the infield. "So once we got the lead, I told [manager] Bobby [Cox] he might want to get [Martin] Prado in there." Jones said there was perhaps a 50 percent chance he would miss ..."
May 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones entered Wednesday's game having made four errors this season to lead all National League third basemen. Three led to decisive runs in Braves losses. It happened twice on the recent homestand - Saturday against the Astros and Tuesday night against the Mets. Jones said he still feels confident in his defense at third base. "I want the ball hit to me," Jones said. "I just had a couple plays that haven't worked out - whether it's bad judgment or a bad hop or stone hands, whatever. We all go through little streaks where we make these errors, then you'll go 25, 30, 40 games without making one. Hopefully the bulk of my error total is behind me." The first of those costly errors came ..."
April 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Braves are accustomed to dealing with Chipper Jones' injury absences. Being used to it, however, doesn't make it any easier. The veteran third baseman was out of the lineup Wednesday and could miss at least a few more games after aggravating his left-thumb injury. "Last night was the worst I've done it," said Jones, who was initially injured when he was jammed by an inside pitch in an April 2 spring-training game. "It's a situation where you keep aggravating it and keep aggravating it, just not giving it enough time to get better." Jones said he was jammed by at least two more pitches after his initial injury, causing him to miss an April 8 game at Philadelphia with bruising around the ..."
April 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones has a bruised left thumb and was scratched from the Braves lineup for today's series finale against Philadelphia. After contributing two hits including a home run in Tuesday's 4-0 Braves win, Jones had noticeable discoloration on the thumb, index finger and hand this afternoon and was scratched 90 minutes before the 3:15 p.m. game at Citizens Bank Park. The veteran third baseman said he was injured from being "jammed" on a few inside pitches in the past week, but he was confident he'd be ready to play Friday night's home opener against Washington at Turner Field. "It's pretty bad," Jones said. "I've been dealing with it for about a week. I got jammed pretty good the last day ..."
April 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Braves have played two games since Chipper Jones signed his three-year, $42 million contract extension, and he has hit a home run in each of them. The veteran third baseman homered Wednesday against Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who was rocked for nine hits and seven runs in five innings of the Braves' 9-3 victory at Joker Marchant Stadium. Casey Kotchman had a two-run homer and Yunel Escobar added a two-run double in a five-run second inning, as the Braves unloaded against Verlander five days after he threw seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball against them. Tom Glavine (2-0) pitched five innings for the win. "Everybody hit," said manager Bobby Cox, whose Braves won for the ..."
April 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones said he thought during the winter about making this his final season, about calling it a career and heading for the ranch. But after signing a three-year, $42 million contract extension with the Braves on Tuesday, he could laugh about that retirement talk. The 2008 major league batting champion, who turns 37 next month, will get a chance to fulfill a dream of playing his entire career with the Braves after signing what his agent called a "fair market contract" that runs through 2012 and includes a vesting option for 2013. "I just can't see myself at 37, sitting around doing nothing," Jones said, smiling after divulging that he'd discussed retirement with his wife. "Sharon ..."
March 31
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones and the Braves have finalized a three-year contract extension that includes a fourth-year vesting option, a deal that could assure the third baseman gets his wish of playing his entire career with the Braves. Financial terms weren't disclosed, but it's believed the guaranteed portion of the deal is worth around $40 million. "This contract ensures that Chipper will play his whole career as a Brave, which was a key factor for us, our fans and for Chipper," Braves general manager Frank Wren said in a statement. "Chipper has been an outstanding performer with our club for a long time and he is still a key part of our team." Jones, who will turn 37 next month, won his first ..."
March 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones said his strained oblique muscle will be fine, but the World Baseball Classic needs changes. The third baseman left Team USA and returned to Braves camp after aggravating the strained muscle in his right side during batting practice before Sunday's game against the Netherlands in Miami. "There's some serious problems with the WBC setup," said Jones, who will skip the rest of the tournament. "I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. But I wouldn't do it again under the current format. There's way too many days off. This tournament could be over by now." Jones was back at Braves camp Monday for treatment. He said his strain is relatively minor and he could be back in the ..."
March 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is out of the World Baseball Classic after aggravating his strained right oblique muscle before Team USA's game with the Netherlands Sunday in Miami. Jones planned to return to Braves camp in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., late Sunday to be evaluated by team doctors. The regular-season opener for the Braves is April 5 at Philadelphia. "I know it's a lot worse than it was [the] first time around in Canada," said Jones, who was initially hurt March 8 in a WBC game at Toronto, "and I just think - as well as the brass in Atlanta - think it's probably better that we get back to Orlando and take care of it in-house as quickly as possible." Braves general manager Frank ..."
March 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said his strained side felt a lot better when he took batting practice before the U.S. team's game Wednesday in the World Baseball Classic. He was held out of the lineup, as expected, for the final game of WBC pool play Wednesday against Venezuela. The United States had already won its first two games to advance, and Jones expects to play Saturday when the second round begins at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. Jones strained the right oblique muscle during a swing in Sunday's win against Venezuela. He has had several such injuries in the past. "I know that it was a mild strain, and a couple days of treatments with the ultrasound, doing exercises, stuff like ..."
March 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones left Sunday night's World Baseball Classic game between the U.S. and Venezuela with a mild oblique strain, but he told his agent afterward it wasn't serious and he thought he'd be OK by Wednesday. The U.S team plays its final game of the first round Wednesday but advanced to the WBC's second round in Miami by virtue of a 15-6 win over Venezuela on Sunday night. "He said he felt something pull a little, but he is doing fine," said Jones' agent B.B. Abbott, who attended Sunday's game in Toronto. "He said he doesn't plan on going home, but I assume Team USA will talk to the Braves. They obviously want to be very, very careful." Jones apparently injured it stretching to field a ..."
February 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones and the Braves have had discussions about a contract extension for the veteran third baseman. After winning the 2008 batting title with a .364 average at 36, Jones is in the final season of his contract, an option year that vested at the maximum $11 million. He has spent his entire career in the Braves organization and ranks as one of the greatest switch-hitters in history, with a .310 average, 449 doubles, 408 homers and 1,374 RBIs in 15 seasons, along with a .408 on-base percentage. The only switch-hitter with at least 300 homers and a .300 batting average, Jones won the 1999 MVP award and has eight top-12 finishes in MVP balloting. He signed a six-year contract in 2001, ..."
February 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones didn't go out on a limb with Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins by predicting a championship for the United States in next month's World Baseball Classic. But the veteran Braves third baseman said this U.S. team is better constructed and will be better prepared for the second WBC than the star-studded 2006 U.S. team Jones played on - a team that failed to reach the tournament semifinals. Japan won the title, defeating Cuba in the final. Braves catcher Brian McCann is expected to join Jones on the 26-player U.S. roster to be announced Feb. 24. Other Braves who might participate in the WBC include starting pitchers Javier Vazquez (Puerto Rico), Jair Jurrjens (Netherlands) and ..."
October 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
New weight-room equipment arrived at Chipper Jones' suburban Atlanta home Tuesday just as the third baseman discussed a potential Braves strengthening development of a different kind. Jones has read all reports of his team's trade interest in San Diego Padres pitching ace Jake Peavy, and hopes Braves general manager Frank Wren can finalize a deal for the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner. "If his arm is sound, this guy's one of the best in the game," Jones said of Peavy, a 27-year-old Alabama native who had ERAs of 2.88 or lower in four of the past five seasons, including three consecutive seasons or 200 or more innings before missing a month in 2008 with a strained elbow. The ..."
October 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
"
Chipper Jones wants to finish his career as a Brave. Chipper Jones also wants that career to span four more seasons. For his sake, I hope both things happen. Being a pragmatist, I don't think both will. Jones is 36. The batting title he just won offers further testimony that he's one of the great hitters of the age. But even with his skills undiminished, his body remains an issue. He was diagnosed Wednesday with tendinitis of the shoulder, and the Braves' post-MRI press release said "the overall structure of the shoulder looked normal for a player of Jones' experience." And that's the thing. Chipper has logged 14 full big-league seasons, and it shows. Only once in the past four has he ..."