Chipper Jones of Braves to Retire
Long-time Atlanta Braves 3B– and for two seasons OF– Chipper Jones announced Thursday that he'll retire following the completion of this upcoming 2012 season. At the age of 39, the announcement comes as no surprise.
Jones has battled injuries throughout the second-half of his career with the Braves. After playing at least 140 games through the first 8 seasons of his career, he has managed that same feet just once over the last 7 seasons.
Most of the injuries he has suffered over the last few years have been minor "nagging" injuries, but many believe it's last season's knee injury that swayed him towards retiring at the end of this season.
I believed Chipper Jones would retire this last off season, especially with how clear it was his skills had diminished. The way the Braves collapsed at the end of last season makes me think he wanted one more crack at it. He may not have wanted to end his career that way.
Chipper is the only switch-hitter in Major League history to hit 300 HR's and bat .300. He has played his entire 18-yr. career with the Braves and won the 1999 NL-MVP award. His batting average is second all-time amongst switch-hitters.
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