RealCJ10 Stuns By Joining Twitter World

In probably the biggest sign thus far that the world is indeed ending in 2012 Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones has gotten a Twitter profile.

Chipper Jones has always seemed to be a man of few words who seems to abide my Teddy Roosevelt’s “Speak softly and carry a big stick” motto in life. Chipper’s big stick has done most of his talking throughout his hall of fame career. Chipper has also always seemed like the kind of person who probably wouldn’t be all that technologically advanced.

So it came as a huge shock on Tuesday (July 24) to see that Chipper had joined his Braves teammates like Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Kris Medlen, Matt Diaz, Peter Moylan and Brandon Beachy on the popular social media site that only allows you to communicate 140 characters at a time.

Jones made his Twitter debut with the Twitter handle @RealCJ10 (click link to follow Chipper on Twitter!) around 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon with the message: “Hello all! Yes, the ol man finally got the twitta! Shame on the posers. Thx to all the followers already. No fans like braves fans!”

The “shame on the posers” line is in reference to the multiple imposters who created fake Chipper Jones Twitter profiles.

The Braves third baseman would make two more Tweets later in the evening. One after the Braves 4-3 win against the Miami Marlins stating: “Nice win by the bravos! Huddy [Tim Hudson] dealt, kimmy [Craig Kimbrel] closed it out. Need a W tmrw to finish out a good trip. Lookin forward to getting back to the ATL”

Jones finished the night with a tweet about his other passion besides baseball: hunting. Chipper tweeted: “For u hunters out there, I'm no longer on BC [“Buck Commander”] full time, tho u will see me on some shows. Major league bowhunter is my new baby on sportsmans”

“Buck Commander” is a hunting television show broadcasted on the Outdoor Channel that Chipper has appeared on multiple times. “Major League Bowhunter” is another hunting series that appears on the Sportsman Channel.

Click HERE to see a clip of Chipper on "Major League Bowhunter" 

As of 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Chipper Jones was only following seven people or subjects on Twitter, but had 42,168 followers (not a bad first day on social media).

I would frankly be a little surprised if Twitter is something that Jones makes a habit out of or really does that often. It’s very likely that the slugger will be like many who join the social networking site and forget about it or realize it’s not for him very early on and either shut it down or abandon it. However, for my sake as a fan and for the sake of other fans wanting to know what Chipper is up to I hope he enjoys it and continues to tweet on.     

Chipper Ties Brett's RBI Mark; Honor Probably Short-Lived

The Atlanta Braves had an extra innings collapse on Wednesday night (July 18) losing to the San Francisco Giants 9-4 in 11 frames, but star third baseman Chipper Jones managed to make a little baseball history in defeat.

In the bottom of the 11^th inning Chipper took a pitch deep from Giants relief pitcher Brad Penny for a solo home run and his 1,596 RBI of his career. The RBI ties Kansas City Royals legend and Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett for the most RBI all time by a third baseman.

Leading your position all time in a huge statistical category such as Runs Batted In is a major deal in baseball and something that only a small handful of players can say they’ve accomplished. Jones adds his name alongside such true greats as Yogi Berra (catcher), Cap Anson (first base), Nap Lajoie (second base), Alex Rodriguez (shortstop) and Hank Aaron (outfielder).

This is one of those moments this season and throughout Chipper Jones’ lengthy career that just makes you take notice of his career achievements and realize that he’s clearly one of the all time greats like those previously mentioned legends that he joined Wednesday night.

Barring missed time due to injury, and his knee is currently aching pretty badly which will likely result in him missing today’s game against the Giants, Jones should break Brett’s record to be solely alone in most RBI by a third bagger in the National Pastime’s history within the next week.

George Brett

However, I shall mention that Jones should cherish this honor while he has the chance, because it will likely be a short lived one. New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, who is currently baseball’s all time leader in RBI by a shortstop, only needs to play 131 more games at third base to automatically become the all time baseball leader in RBI by a third baseman. When Rodriguez switches from shortstop to third base (likely sometime next season) then Honus Wagner, who last played baseball in 1917 and last breathed air on this planet in 1955 will regain his crown as RBI leader among shortstops. It’s simply amazing to me that a guy who’s been dead for 57 years can break a record … God, I love this game.

Jones’ solo shot on Wednesday night was his eighth homer of the season. Chipper is batting .313 on the season and has 35 RBI. 

Click HERE to see Jones tie Brett's mark. 

Chipper Jones Ends All Star Game Career In Style

Before Tuesday night’s Major League Baseball All Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City National League manager Tony La Russa enlisted Atlanta Braves legendary third baseman Chipper Jones to give a speech to rally the troops. The 40-year old told his All Star teammates, which he referred to as the “elite of the elite” that he was “not going out losing his last one.”

You can see Chipper’s complete pregame speech: HERE

Well, Jones’ speech must have really gotten into his teammates heads, because they came out swinging in full force against American League starting pitcher and Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander, the best pitcher in baseball in my opinion, and slapped him around for five first inning runs.

With one out in the first San Francisco Giants center fielder Melky Cabrera single and then scored on a RBI double by Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun. After Braun’s double, St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran and San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey were both walked by Verlander. San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who I thought was wrongfully voted to start the game by Giants fans stuffing the ballots, cleared the bases with a three RBI triple. Sandoval was then driven home by Braves second baseman Dan Uggla on an infield single.

The NL squad would add three more runs in the fourth inning off of Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison when Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal triples and then was driven home by Cardinals Matt Holliday, as a designated hitter, on a single. Cabrera than followed that up with a two-run homer, which solidified his winning the game’s MVP Award.

Chipper Jones entered the game for the National League in the top half of the sixth inning in the designated hitter role. My excitement level jumped immediately even before I saw Jones on the television screen, because I knew he was going to bat before seeing him thanks to the Kauffman Stadium PA playing Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”, Chipper’s longtime at-bat music, in tribute to the third sacker.

The at-bat marked Chipper’s first at Kauffman Stadium, the only ballpark in baseball that Jones hadn’t previously played at during his 19-year career in baseball. As Jones took to homeplate the Kauffman Stadium fans gave him a fantastic ovation, just as they had during the player introductions, and Jones acknowledged the ovation by stepping out of the batter’s box to tip his cap. Jones’ only rival as far as ovations during the game was the Kansas City Royals hometown player Billy Butler, who went 0-for-2 during the game, much to the crowd’s chagrin.

Fittingly in Chipper’s final career All Star at-bat he got a base hit off of Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale on a perfect placed single just past Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler. It wasn’t a blast by any means, but as former Braves legend Tom Glavine said on his newly started Twitter profile said it’ll look like a line drive in the box score. Chipper had a smile on his face almost immediately upon hitting the ball and legging it out to first base. It wasn’t a Cal Ripken Jr. 2001 All Star Game home run moment, but it was just fine for Chipper and fans everywhere. I can honestly say that I’ve never cheered as loudly for a squibber that just eeked through the hole.

Jones said about the hit after the game: “I was trying to run it out all the way. I mean, 40 years old legging out an infield hit in the All-Star game – that’s exactly the way I scripted it.”

You can see Chipper’s final career All Star Game at-bat: HERE

The National League would go on to win the All Star game 8-0 behind fabulous pitching performances. The National League pitching staff frankly made the best hitters in the American Leaguer look like Little Leaguers on Tuesday night. The shutout was the first in an All Star game since the NL shutout the AL 6-0 in 1996, when fellow Braves legend John Smoltz earned the win and Chipper made his All Star Game debut. It’s also fitting that Jones began and ended his All Star tenure in shutout games.

Jones ended his All Star Game career with a .429 batting average (6-for-14) with a home run and RBI in eight All Star Games (only played in seven).

It was just a magical night all around for both Chipper Jones, his fans and especially this fan. There have been many of those along the way, and hopefully there will be many more during the final second half of Chipper’s career.

Click HERE to see box score of game

Chipper Embarks on Final All Star Game as Baseball's Future Harper, Trout Debut

Tomorrow night’s Major League Baseball All Star Game will truly feature a changing of the guard moment when phenom rookies Mike Trout (20 years old) of the Los Angeles Angels and Bryce Harper (19 years old) of the Washington Nationals take the field in the first All Star Game as Atlanta Braves future hall of fame third baseman Chipper Jones takes his All Star bow in his eighth appearance.

Phenoms Bryce Harper, left, and Mike Trout to make All Star debuts

I’ve  thoroughly enjoyed watching Chipper Jones career ever since his rookie season in 1995 (the very first year I became a baseball fanatic) and I hope to do the same with both Trout and Harper, both who appear to be the real deal. Though, tonight’s All Star Game kind of has that out with the old, in with the new feel to it and I can’t wait to watch Harper (who I’ve only seen play once) and Mike Trout (who I haven’t seen play yet) in action there’s no doubt that for me tonight is about Chipper Jones (of course because that is who this blog is dedicated too).

Chipper's last All Star Game workout

When I went to St. Louis in May to say my in person farewell to my baseball hero I thought I might shed a tear upon seeing Jones play up close for the last time, but I didn’t. My emotions may not be kept that in check later this evening when he takes to the baseline with his fellow National League All Stars for player introductions at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Oh I can picture his ovation now from the fans as he tips his cap. Despite the NL being the visitor, it wouldn’t surprise me if Chipper got an even bigger ovation than the Royals own Billy Butler.

While being at the All Star Game with his children and getting that ovation from the fans would be a great moment I just hope that National League manager Tony La Russa finds a way to put Jones into the ballgame. Chipper has to at least take one final All Star at-bat in his final appearance. I know that it might be hard though to find the playing time for Jones as the National League squad as an incredible four third baseman with San Francisco Giants Pablo Sandoval starting at the hot corner and New York Met and St. Louis Cardinal David Freese on the bench with Jones. Wright is having the best season among all third baseman in the NL and deserves to play. Freese is likely a favorite of La Russa’s as he was the World Series MVP on the La Russa managed Cardinals last year, which might get him playing time over Jones.

If La Russa can’t find a way to get Chipper into the game than it truly will be a crime perpetrated against baseball fans everywhere. 

I’ll be watching tonight’s All Star Game with great anticipation of Chipper stepping out onto the field at Kauffman Stadium, which by the way is the only field in baseball that Jones has never played at in his career. Maybe he’ll have a truly magical moment like Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. did in his final All Star game back in 2001 when he hit a home run and won the game’s MVP award? Either way I’m sure it’ll be a moment that neither Chipper nor myself will ever forget.

Welcome to the Team, Mr. Jones

A few months ago during my fantasy baseball league draft I was down to my very last pick and had two players I wanted to draft. One of them was Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez and the other was Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones.

Being a lifelong Braves and Chipper Jones fan I really wanted to select Chipper to have on my team (I know how nerdy that sounds), but at the time he was injured and it honestly wasn’t looking like he’d play very much in his final season and like everybody else that plays fantasy baseball I want to win my league. So, I drafted Ramirez. I don’t remember exactly how long Ramirez actually remained on my team, but I don’t think he ever played a single game for me as he was a part of a trade that I can’t even remember at this point.

Somebody else took Chipper Jones, either late in the draft or as a free agent (I can’t remember), and I knew that I had missed my chance.

I contemplated attempting to trade for Chipper a few times during the early part of the season, but never actually went through with it because I knew it wouldn’t be beneficial to my team (which at the time was one of the best in the league) and would just be a move based on my fandom. It’s never a good idea to play favorites in fantasy baseball, because you’ll probably lose every time. I’m always amazed by just how many players play the game that way though.

Now my team is barely hanging on to a playoff spot midway through the fantasy season and Chipper Jones is in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak.

So, I figured I might try to attempt to trade for Chipper, despite knowing I probably couldn’t work anything out that wouldn’t hurt my team.

However, much to my surprise when looking up which of my competitors had Chipper I realized that he was listed as a free agent. Somehow whichever manager in the league had him before managed to drop him without me noticing. I have no clue how long Chipper has been available, but late Tuesday night there he was ripe for the picking. I just needed to find a spot for him.

Luckily it wasn’t really hard to find a possible roster move. I had picked up New York Yankees pitcher Hiroki Kuroda earlier in the week for just a spot start and really had no intention of keeping him on my roster anyway. So, I cut Kuroda and picked up Jones.

Hopefully Jones will benefit my fantasy team and won’t be dead weight (I hate saying that about Chip, but if he doesn’t perform or play much that’d essentially be what he is). Right now in the middle of an 11-game hitting streak and coming off of a five-for-five game on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs he’s just what my team could use. I just wish I had noticed he was available before his five hit, four RBI game.

I know it’s just fantasy baseball and it’s not really ‘real’, but it’ll be an honor having Chipper Jones on my team for the second half of the season. Hopefully he’ll help lead my squad to a much-needed fantasy baseball championship, because it’s certainly been awhile.