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Chipper Jones Interview PDF Print E-mail
Fantasy Baseball Blog
Written by Kevin Orris   
Wednesday, 06 May 2009 15:50
Here's another great interview between myself and All-Star and future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones.  Jones was the 1999 NL MVP, and put forth his attempt at hitting .400 in 2008.
This interview was conducted just before the World Baseball Classic.  Thanks to Jet Sports Management to helping me set up this interview.  Keep coming back in the next few weeks for more big time interviews with more All-Stars and top prospects.

What made you decide to become a switch hitter? Do you feel more comfortable at either side of the plate?


Chipper Jones : My dad's idol growing up was Mickey Mantley. We started by imitating line-ups in the backyard when I was 5 years old. Then, we just stayed on it for the rest of my life. Switch hitting is a constant battle. When you feel good from one side, you are working on the other. I rarely feel locked in from
both sides of the plate. When that happens, I'm obviously pretty happy.
 

You were fortunate to be selected as a #1 overall pick- did you know that’s where you would be taken?


CJ : I had no idea, honestly. Tood Van Popel was supposed to be the top rated talent coming out of the draft. I had several teams looking at me in the Top 10 picks, but I didn't have a clue until right before the draft.
 

You had a monster year in 1999, and have continued to prove yourself as an elite third basemen, and one of the best switch hitters of all time, if not the best. Do you think you will get into the Hall of Fame?


CJ : That's not something I have thought a lot about until very, very recently. I have always been focused on team goals. I knew the personal accolades would follow. As I begin the later part of my career, I have certainly thought about where my legacy will be in this game. It would be an unbelievable honor to be mentioned with some of the players that I have idolized my whole life. Quite frankly, it is just an incredible honor to be talked about in the same sentence as the Hall of Fame.
 

In 2006 you got to play in the World Baseball Classic and you participated again this year. What made you decide to play again? Have the Braves expressed any discontent with you playing?  


CJ : I will be participating again this year. It was just a no-brainer for me. To be on the field, and in the lockerroom with some of the best in the world is an incredible honor. I simply can't describe the feeling one has playing with "USA" on his chest. The Braves obviously want us to be ready for the season, and they have a business to run in spring training, but at the same time, having several of their players participating is a nice honor as well. They know we will be ready to go come April.
 

This off-season the Braves have had a lot of important decisions to make with guys like John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. How do you think the Braves have handled things so far?


CJ : I have such mixed feelings, because Smoltzie has been there since Day 1 for me. Glav has been my teammate for so, so many years as well. I sincerely thought that Smoltzie should have retired a Brave. It effected me that he won't be here. But, I understand the business of baseball better than anyone.  Same thing with Glav. I want him between the lines with me. It just isn't a fair question for me, because I am so personally attached to both of these guys. I cannot be objective.

 
How do you think the Braves stack up compared to last year’s team? Do you feel that you can re-capture the NL East title?


CJ : I think we will be very competitive. I don't think we are done and I think this team will still look different when we arrive to spring training. That being said, we are confident that our new rotation will be solid, and we feel good about Frenchy having a hell of a comeback year. Combined with our bullpen, which should be a strenghth, we will be there with the other teams fighting through what could be baseball's best division (along with the AL East).
 

There have been multiple media outlets reporting that you don’t want to leave Atlanta. Do you see yourself retiring as a Brave? Have you considered retirement, or planned it at all yet?


CJ : I have always wanted to retire with an "Atlanta" on my chest and a "10" on my back. I have the longest tenure of any current player with one team. That's important to me. But, I have seen the business side of baseball and I know that sometimes there are dynamics that don't consider nostalgia and what Chipper Jones wants. That being said, yes I want to retire as a Brave, but I will not retire if that can't happen. I will retire when I think I cannot compete at a level I'm accustomed to, or when I simply lose a passion for this game.
 

Last year you put up huge numbers, and contended for the MVP award, but some injuries slowed you down. What steps have you taken to reduce those injuries this year? Do you think you can repeat your 2008 success?


CJ : I think I am a better hitter than I have ever been. I think I can have substantial success and put up really good numbers for the next 4 or 5 years. But, injuries happen, especially when a player gets up in age, and I understand and appreciate that. So, I take a great deal of pride in my off-season workouts and in preventive care. I've had some bad luck with freak injuries as well, so we will keep our fingers crossed on staying away from those.
 

Now that Shea Stadium is gone, is playing the Mets still your favorite thing to do in baseball? Do you have any ballparks that you love to play at?


CJ : Shea will always be my favorite other than Atlanta and playing in front of our hometown fans and my family. There was just something magical about those big games at Shea. I love the hitters' parks obviously - Coors, Minute Maid, Bank One, Cinergy.  

 
How did the Chipper Jones Family Foundation come about? What is its purpose? How can readers help out?


CJ : I just wanted to try to give back to the communities that have supported me throughout my career. I have a number of programs that I run out of the Foundation - most have to do with children. Our biggest are Helping for the Holidays, The Chipper Gang and The Take 'em Deep Program. I think guys sometimes guys want to give back, but they just don't know how. It is my hope that I am providing an example to them about how to do that. Readers can check out my website - www.chipperjones.com to read a little bit about the foundation.

What did you think of Chipper's responses? Do you think Chipper will be a Hall of Famer?  First Ballot?  Provide your answers in the comments section below.


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written by kevinorris, May 07, 2009
I agree with you Sean. I feel that he will stay in ATL- his agent feels the same way.

It will be the saddest day of my life when Chipper retires, so I hope he plays for years.
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written by SeanAgranov, May 06, 2009
HOFer for sure, especially if he stays with Atlanta until retirement. its not all about numbers. its about character, leadership and likability. His numbers have always been great compared to his peers when he is healthy
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Projections
written by Tony Cincotta, May 06, 2009
Here is my latest projection:

In 15 years Kevin Orris will be a bigger name than Chippper Jones. Write that in stone.

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