Chipper Approaching Third Base Record

*NOTE* First of all, I must greatly apologize for the length of time that it’s been since I’ve updated this blog. I haven’t had the chance to write for it since I attended the Braves/Cardinals series a couple of weeks ago. I’ll try not to let that much time go by before updating again during this season, despite my busy life getting in the way.  

One milestone that Chipper Jones will likely break this season is to finish his career with the most career RBI of any third baseman in baseball history. That sentence and stat alone should prove Jones’ stature as one of the all-time greats in his sport. The current leader in that category is baseball Hall of Famer and Kansas City Royals legend George Brett who finished his career with 1,596 RBI. Between Brett and Jones is the man generally considered as the greatest third baseman in baseball history Philadelphia Phillies legend Mike Schmidt with 1,595 RBI.

Only needing 12 RBI to break the record for most RBI by a third basemen, Chipper should have the record within the next month if he remains healthy (something which he’s currently not). Jones has missed the last few Atlanta Braves games with a calf contusion that’s seen him miss most of the Braves series against the Tampa Bay Rays and the current series against the Cincinnati Reds. He is, however, expected to rejoin the Braves lineup soon.  

George Brett

Despite approaching the record for most RBI in a career by a third baseman, Jones has not accumulated all of his career RBI at the position. As most probably remember, Chipper played a couple of seasons as the Braves starting left fielder in the early 2000s. Jones has also accumulated RBI in his career at shortstop (which he began his career as and was drafted as) and as a designated hitter in interleague play.

It’s amazing to see that Jones is going to surpass both Mike Schmidt and George Brett in one of the sport’s most important statistical categories in the upcoming weeks. Other names he will either likely pass or could pass this season include Hall of Famers Andre Dawson, Nap Lajoie, Goose Goslin and Ernie Banks. He never ceases to amaze.