Compared to what? By the end of his career he was one of the most articulate and intelligent voices in the game. If he does nothing but help our new GM talk to the media it will be a huge win.
“After a few years of decompressing, I came to the undeniable conclusion that I want to be around the game again and, more particularly, around the Atlanta Braves,” Jones said. “Because of what we are in the process of building for this city and our fan base, I am extremely excited to be dipping my toe back into the water that is Braves baseball. I look forward to working with our players, as my passion for the art of hitting is something I hold near and dear to my heart. My hope is that I can be an ‘extra set of eyes’ on our players and help supplement an already strong baseball operations department and coaching staff. I am honored to be back working with the Braves.”
GovClintonTyree (12-19-2015)
Articulate? Not so much.
He wrote a masterpiece with the baseball bat. But when he talks, it's clear he's CONSTANTLY half-lit. It's all good, though. I don't expect my ballplayers to be philosophers. Or sober. One of the greatest hitters of my generation, so I couldn't care less if he's on the sauce.
Not as smart as Meta, but way smarter than Zito.
Great great news! Welcome back Chipper! Really glad to see him back with the org. I think he'll make a big difference with our hitters.
GovClintonTyree (12-19-2015), JohnAdcox (12-18-2015)
Hopefully there is a clause that bans him from twitter in his contract.
thank you weso1!
Can't wait for the mountain of fluff pieces from ST discussing his impact on Dansby Swanson.
goldfly (12-19-2015), The Chosen One (12-19-2015)
"For there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it." Amanda Gorman
"When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross"
Seems like a good move to ease him in the door and get him ready for the full time batting coach position when it becomes available. I like it.
BoneThrower (12-19-2015), DirkPiggler (12-19-2015), goldfly (12-19-2015), GovClintonTyree (12-19-2015), jpx7 (12-19-2015), Prikichi (12-19-2015), Runnin (12-19-2015)
He's highly articulate among the good ol' boy set.
I get where you're coming from, and it looked to me like he played a lot of baseball hungover. But that's a different conversation than whether he's articulate or intelligent. He's both. And, as you point out, Michelangelo at the hardest thing in sports, hitting a baseball.
One of the few guys not to speak in clichés. He was an honest guy with a lot of insight and humor.
I liked when they were fetéing Bobby on his 162nd ejection and they asked Chipper if he had any favorites. Chip breaks into a big grin and says, "Yeah, I put the tag down on <player> and Hunter Wendelstedt, whose dad Harry was a great umpire, called him safe. This was either Hunter's first or second year. Bobby comes out, guns blazing, says a few things. Hunter walks away. Bobby tells him, 'Hunter, you're not fit to be a pimple on your daddy's <ass>.' Hunter turns around, throws him out. I couldn't help it. I busted out laughing."
See? That's better than, "well, hoping I can get lucky, maybe help the ballclub."
Also, I remember when Heyward had a big surge it was Chipper's doing, and DOB asked him what they were working on. And instead of some stock answer, Chipper told him. He said hitting consists of five hinges. Your torso is a hinge. Your hands are another....he went through his thesis, and the short of it was that two of the five hinges in Heyward's swing were frozen and it was costing him power. It was one of the most thoughtful discourses I'd ever heard on hitting, and it came from Chipper.
The guy knows what he's doing and I think he can teach it.
Braves1976 (12-20-2015), Garmel (12-19-2015), JohnAdcox (12-20-2015)