Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
July 06, 2007
Chip Shots

Chipper Jones hit two home runs last night one in the sixth to put the Braves up 7-6, and one in the eighth to finish the scoring as Atlanta took the game from the Dodgers 8-6. Jones is having another great season with a .329 BA, a .416 OBA and a .603 slugging percentage.

In his fifteenth year, is Jones a Hall of Famer? His career averages are very good, .305/.402/.544, a 300-400-500 hitter. That makes him a complete offensive player. He's scored as many runs (1232) as he's driven in (1238). He's close to 400 home runs and has over 2000 hits and 1000 walks. He's had only one off year, 2004. His defense left a lot to be desire over the years. What do you think? How much should counting stats vs. averages weigh in a Hall of Fame selection?


Posted by David Pinto at 08:19 AM | Sluggers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I think he gets in as a 1st ballot HOFer. And I am a METS fan!! Having watched him maul us on a regular basis as well as watching him play so often on TBS, I can appreciate his talents, despite hating what he did to us in 99.

Posted by: Luis at July 6, 2007 08:47 AM

Yes,he's got to go in.
Certainly one of the best players of the last dozen years.

How about Gary Sheffield? Does he get in?

Posted by: oscargamble at July 6, 2007 11:45 AM

Chipper has always been one of my favorite players, so I am biased, but I think he needs at least 2-3 more years in the same vein as his past performance to ensure enshrinement. If he had stayed at SS, his original position, it would be a different matter, but because he played power positions for most of his career, he could get lumped in with the Sheffields, Palmeiros, JuanGones of his generation. Though he doesn't have the steroids baggage, as far as we know; maybe that will help.

Posted by: Scott at July 6, 2007 12:43 PM

GOT to be in. Hallmark of a decade's worth of dominance. Postseasons against Mets have been unbelievable. Plus he named his kid Shea, so you gotta love that.

Posted by: Dano at July 6, 2007 01:03 PM

Got to be in! First ballot in my book. At 3b you have Schmidt, Mathews, Brett, Boggs in some order and you have Chipper Jones. He is clearly a large notch above Ron Santo and Kenny Boyer, perhaps the two best 3b not in the Hall.

I would also argue that his defensive has been at least league average at 3b and his bat has been exceptional. He was/is the offensive heart of the team that won 14 division crowns and played in the post season for the first 11 years of his career.

Posted by: Bill McKinley at July 6, 2007 02:56 PM

Yeah, even if he were to retire today, I don't see any way Chipper doesn't get in. Aren't third basemen underrepresented in the HOF, anyway? He's easily been the best third baseman of the last decade plus not named A-Rod, although Miguel Cabrera may one day have the career stats to rival him.

Posted by: Adam Villani at July 6, 2007 07:30 PM
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