Big League Chatter

ESPN broadcaster Dave O’Brien raised the question on Wednesday Night Baseball last week and it is one that provokes thought.  Sure, baseball fans immediately recognize Chipper Jones as the all-star third basemen of the Atlanta Braves.  But do they realize that they are watching one of the best switch-hitters who ever lived?

Most would put the great Mickey Mantle at the top of that list and they would get no argument here.  But after The Mick, Chipper is front and center in the discussion.  Hall of Famer Eddie Murray and his 504 career home runs warrant consideration, as does career hit leader Pete Rose.  But since Rose wasn’t a power hitter, this debate will focus on Murray.  Having played 21 seasons and enjoying good health in many of those, much of Murray’s stats can be attributed to his longevity in the game.  Murray’s durability and consistency are no doubt commendable, however there is a clear argument that Jones was the more dangerous hitter.  Case in point, Chipper’s career OPS of .954 dwarfs Murray’s .835.  Jones also owns the edge in 100-run seasons (8 to Murray’s 3) and 100-RBI seasons (9 to Murray’s 6), despite playing six less years thus far.  He has more career walks (1,173) than strikeouts (1,096), while Murray finished with a still impressive 1,333 BB versus 1,516 K.  Chipper also has an M.V.P. to his credit (1999 – .319/45/110) while Murray has none.

Having played no more than 137 games in any season from 2004-2007, Jones has seen injuries diminish his production in recent years.  Prior to ‘04, he compiled eight straight seasons of at least a .295 average, 29 doubles, 21 home runs, 100 RBI, and 90 runs scored.  Much was made about a feud between pitcher John Smoltz and Jones last season, in which Smoltz made comments implying that Chipper should have been playing through a groin injury that caused him to miss a game Smoltz started and lost on June 22.  Chipper responded on the field (mostly) by starting the next 28 games, hitting .384 with 7 doubles, 5 home runs, 24 RBI and 21 runs scored during that span.  After hitting a home run the day after Smoltz’s comments, Chipper shot back, "I’ll play the rest of the games this year and do what I can.  Somebody I know better not miss a start, though."

Chipper has begun 2008 hitting safely in 37 of the Braves’ first 43 games, carrying a robust .410 batting average without a lot of national attention.  While the career .309 hitter is unlikely to become the first player to hit .400 since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941, he is likely to finish his career as the only switch-hitter with a .300 average and 300 home runs in the history of the game.  And with his career home run total sitting at 397, he will up that ante to 400 soon.  It might take until his induction ceremony in Cooperstown for fans to realize how special a player Larry Wayne Jones, Jr. truly is.

According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, John Smoltz would be willing to return to the Braves bullpen as a closer when he returns from the Disabled List.  With Rafael Soriano out with an injury and Mike Gonzalez still recovering from Tommy John surgery the Braves could use a reliable closer.  Smoltz dominated as the Braves closer in 2002, 2003 and 2004.  The future Hall of Famer is on the disabled list right now due to inflammation in his right shoulder.  Look for him to return some time in May. 

Mike Hampton has not pitched in the major leagues since the 2005
season.  He only managed to pitch 69.1
innings that year.  From 1996 to
2004, Hampton never pitched fewer than 160 innings.  He even won 22
games in 1999 for the Houston Astros.  But two operations on his elbow
since his last outing in 2005 have prevented the lefty from pitching
the last two seasons.  This spring the Braves are hoping he stays
healthy and lands a spot in the starting rotation.  Unfortunately,
Hampton sufferd a strained groin in his second outing of the spring.
The Braves are hoping this is only a minor setback and Hampton is
considered day to day.

The Atlanta Braves lost Andruw Jones and Edgar Renteria this off season.
However, their lineup still owns a lot of thunder with the bats of
Teixeira, Jones, McCann and Francouer.  SS will belong to Yunel
Escobar. There are hopes he will continue where he left off last
season.  Kelly Johnson is the second baseman.  He had a solid season
last year and should have at least a repeat performance.  CF and LF are
the 2 question marks for this team.
The rotation will once again be anchored by John Smoltz.  He will be
joined by 303 game winner and former Brave Tom Glavine.  Tim Hudson and
Chuck James will be in the rotation as well.  The fifth starter is
still uncertain.  There are hopes that Mike Hampton will finally be
healthy enough to pitch again.  Spring Training will determine if he is
capable of coming back.  The bullpen has much potential.  Soriano will own
the closers role at the beginning of the season.  When Mike Gonzalez
returns in June he may share the closing role with Soriano.  Either
way, when healthy, that’s a tough 1-2 combination late in games for the
Braves.  The other relievers on the team should be Tyler Yates, Peter
Moylan, with Jo Jo Reyes, Will Ohman and Anthony Lerew mixed in their
somewhere.  It’s possible that Lerew could be the teams #5 starter if
Hampton cannot pitch.  The team should also have Manny Acosta in the
pen.  He recorded 12 saves in triple A Richmond last year before being
called up and posting a 2.28 ERA in 23.2 innings.  Buddy Carlyle hopes
to be in the mix too.  HE went 8-7 with a 5.21 ERA last season.

Breakdown of starting position players.

C- Brian McCann.  He’s going to put up solid numbers, especially for a catcher.

1B-
Mark Teixeira.  He will turn 28 in April and looks to be hitting his
prime.  Expect a batting average around .300 30+ home runs and 100+ RBIs
and Runs.

2B-Kelly Johnson played solid last year after converting from the
outfield to second base.  Look for a batting average around .280.  He
should score 100+ runs this season if he  bats first or second.  He
will even hit 15-20 home runs.  Look for him to increase his stolen base
total this year too.

3B-Chipper Jones-He can hit.  As long as he stay in the lineup he
will produce for the Braves and they will need his veteran leadership
in the lineup.

SS-Yunel Escobar-The job is his.  He hit almost
.330 last season in 94 games.  If he is able to come even close to that
the Braves will be happy.

RF-Jeff Francouer-He’s 24 years old and continues to improve.  Look
for his home run total to increase this year.  He should be an anchor on
this team for quite some time.

CF-Mark Kotsay-The Braves are hoping he can produce for them this year.

LF-Still up for grabs.  Look for younsters Josh Anderson and
Brandon Jones to get a shot to play in this outfield in spring
training.  If niether player does well Scott Thorman and Matt Diaz
could conceivably platoon.