Chipper Jones Says He Will Either Produce, or Retire
March 1st, 2010- By Chester O’Leary
Chipper Jones said that he will either improve his numbers, or retire at the conclusion of the upcoming Major League Baseball season.
Following a disappointing campaign last season, the Atlanta Braves third baseman is committed to bringing up his numbers, and insisted he will not stick around to get paid if he is not producing.
Jones signed an extension with the Braves, which goes through the 2013 season, and is valued at $42 million. Many did not believe that Jones was serious when talking of retirement, including Atlanta manager Bobby Cox, who is of the opinion Jones will have success in 2010.
“I never took them to heart at all,” said Cox of his third baseman’s remarks. “He’ll play three more years and play them good.”
Following a 2008 season in which he led the National League with a .364 batting average, Jones’ average dropped 100 points in 2009. This prompted his statement of a possible retirement.
“It was a true statement,” Jones said of his on-field performance. “If I don’t play this game at the level I want to play it at, then I will walk away from it.”
He posted 18 home runs and 71 RBI’s in 143 games last season, both equating to career low totals. It was the most of amount of games he played since back in 2003, but still had the low production.
“I’m not going to enjoy myself having years like I had last year,” Jones remarked. “There weren’t any injuries that were hindering me from producing last year.
“I’m not going to stick around and be a role player. I’m not going to play the game just to earn a check. I want to produce. I want to be good. That’s all there is to it.”
This off-season, Jones has gone back to a more stern work out routine, and upped his weight 10 pounds to 230.
“I hit the weights hard,” he remarked. “I built some upper body strength.
“I was run down at the end of the year last year. I wanted to add a little extra weight, a little extra strength to make it through the summer.”
The heart of the Braves lineup begins with Jones in the third position. Catcher Brian McCann is moving from clean-up to fifth, following the addition of first baseman Troy Glaus.
“It’s a really good lineup. If we stay healthy it’s going to be an excellent lineup,” Jones remarked. “I’m looking forward to being a part of it. Troy is going to be really good hitting in the middle. The lineup, one through eight, it looks pretty good.”
The Braves last made the playoffs four years ago, following a streak of 14 consecutive division titles. MLB Sportsbooks, such as Bodog, have installed Atlanta with 22/1 odds to claim the 2010 World Series Title.
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