Archive
Chipper Jones on his last game
Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This was not the way it was supposed to end for Chipper Jones. Those who had seen him homer twice in his first career postseason game and again on his 40th birthday certainly had reason to expect a grand finale.
A sure-fire Hall of Famer and one of the greatest switch-hitters the game has known, Jones seemed destined to limp off into the sunset after drilling a walk-off homer in Game 7 of the World Series.
Instead, Jones exited the Braves‘ clubhouse on Friday night seemingly shell-shocked by what had transpired in a 6-3 loss to the Cardinals in the National League’s one-game Wild Card playoff. He committed a costly throwing error in St. Louis‘ three-run third inning and was limited to a broken-bat infield single in five at-bats.
“I wanted to come out here and play well,” Jones said. “Today, my heart is broken not for me, my heart is broken for my teammates and my coaching staff, and all these fans that have been so great to us this year.
“But I’ll be OK. It’s just one of those things. You come to the park, and I walk out of here knowing that I brought it every single day. I think when you walk out of here knowing that you brought it every day, it makes walking away on the final day a little bit easier.”
Related articles
- Chipper throws one away in finale (nypost.com)
- Chipper: Not way I thought career would end (espn.go.com)
- Disputed call overshadows Cardinals wild-card playoff win (triblive.com)
Atlanta Braves History: Dale Murphy hits 3 home runs in 3 at bats (May 18, 1979)
Dale Murphy, on May 18, 1979, has 3 home runs in 3 at bats‚ knocking in 5 runs‚ to pace the Braves to a 6-4 victory over the Giants.
Dale shows that he can be an impact player. Great things would come for him over and over again. Pretty amazing.
Atlanta Braves History: Joe Adcock and Al Sprangler help Phillie lose 20 in a row (August 17, 1961)
This is not the kind of record you want. On August 17, 1961, Philadelphia lost 20 in a row, a Major League record. It took 11 innings at County Stadium but they lost to the Milwaukee Braves 7-6. Al Sprangler singled home the winner.
This had to be discouraging since they had a 6-4 lead in the 8th when Joe Adcock slams a 2-run homer off Art Mahaffey to tie.
Related articles
- Atlanta Braves History: Dave Bancroft argues with his manager (May 20, 1920) (mww1954.wordpress.com)
- Atlanta Braves History: Joe Adcock sets new record for total bases (1954) (mww1954.wordpress.com)
- Atlanta Braves History: Joe Morgan goes 6-6 against the Braves (July 9, 1965) (mww1954.wordpress.com)
Atlanta Braves History: Chipper Jones names his son Shea (August 30, 2004)
Now this is rich. Chipper Jones and his wife, Sharon, welcome their second child into the world on August 30, 2004, a 7 pounds, 14 ounces son.
The couple names the boy Shea, as a tribute to the New York ballpark where the Braves‘ third baseman has enjoyed tremendous success against the Mets. I can still envision games where they taunted Chipper by repeatedly calling him “Larry”, his Christian name.
You have to love this.
Related articles
- In praise of Chipper Jones (lfpress.com)
- Parting gift for Chipper (nypost.com)
- Still Chipper After All These Years (occupythegame.wordpress.com)
Atlanta Braves History: Fred Tenney in the most controversial game ever (September 23, 1908)
On September 23, 1908, Giants Pitcher Mathewson and Cubs Pitcher, Three Fingered Brown, battle in the most controversial game ever played. Now, I would love to meet a pitcher named Three Fingered Brown.
The score is 1-1‚ with 2 outs in the last of the 9th. The Giants’ Harry McCormick is on 3B‚ and Fred Merkle (19‚ and making his first start of the year)‚ is subbing for the sore-legged veteran Fred Tenney‚ on 1B. Fred played for the Braves from 1894 to 1907.
Al Bridwell singles‚ scoring McCormick. Halfway to 2B‚ Merkle turns and heads for the clubhouse in center field. Johnny Evers secures a ball (Joe McGinnity swears he picked up the ball that was in play and threw it into the stands) and touches 2B as the crowd overruns the field. Umpire O’Day at 1B claims he didn’t see the play‚ but that evening he rules the run does not count‚ and the game ended with a tie score.
Years later‚ in an interview‚ Merkle will describe it this way: “When Bridwell shot that long single‚ I started across the grass for the clubhouse. Matty was near me. When Evers began shouting for the ball‚ he noticed something was wrong. Matty caught me by the arm and told me to wait a minute. We walked over toward 2B‚ and Matty spoke to Emslie. ‘How about this‚ Bob‚ is there any trouble with the score of the play?’ ‘It’s all right‚’ said Emslie. ‘You’ve got the game. I don’t see anything wrong with the play.’ Matty then took me by the arm and we walked to the clubhouse confident that we had won the game.”
Related articles
- 30th anniversary: Ted Simmons bonehead play (hardballtimes.com)
- Was Martin Prado Drunk During Last Night’s Atlanta Braves Game? (VIDEO) (manolith.com)
Atlanta Braves History: Chipper goes 3-3 in 2000 All-Star game (July 11, 2000)
At Turner Field on July 11, 2000, the AL beats the National League, 6-3, in the 71st All-Star contest, dubbed the All Scar game due to the many stars absent from both lineups because of injuries. Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter and Braves‘ third baseman Chipper Jones provide the offensive punch with both going 3-for-3.
It was sad to see Chipper at his last All-Star game this year.
Related articles
- Chipper Jones: A True Veteran (sportsvibe.co.uk)
- Giants respect Chipper Jones (sfgate.com)
- Yankees present Chipper Jones with third base (hardballtalk.nbcsports.com)
Atlanta Braves History: Chipper Jones popup leads to triple play (June 15, 1996)
In the first inning of their 6-2 victory over the Braves on June 15, 1996, the Dodgers turn their first triple play in forty-seven years. After making a running, back-to-the-plate grab of Chipper Jones‘s popup to short left with runners on first and second, Juan Castro throws to second baseman Delino Deshields to double up Marquis Grissom, then the ball is relayed to first baseman Eric Karosto to get Mark Lemke, who was also running on the pitch.
Atlanta Braves History: Hank Aaron hits number 500 (July 14, 1968)
English: Milwaukee Braves outfielder and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron in a 1960 issue of Baseball Digest. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Hank Aaron is amazing. He is just moving along, hitting home runs and helping the Braves win.
Hank hits home run number 500 off Mike McCormick becoming the eighth major leaguer to reach this milestone on July 14,1968. ‘Hammerin’ Hank’s three-run homer over the left center field fence proves to be the difference as the Braves beat the Giants at Atlanta Stadium, 4-2.
Related articles
- Hank Aaron to speak in Milwaukee (fox11online.com)
- Baseball legend Hank Aaron to speak at Marquette (fox6now.com)
- THT Live: 50th anniversary: Hank Aaron’s walk-off grand slam (hardballtimes.com)
- Baseball legend Hank Aaron to speak at Marquette (channel3000.com)
Atlanta Brave History: National League and Dale Murphy beat the Junior Circuit (July 10, 1984)
Now this will expose my bias but I am clear on that. You will see a lot of references to the All-Star game and the Junior Circuit. Who is the Junior Circuit? The American League of course. Who else would it be?
On July 10, 1984, National League beats the Junior Circuit at Candlestick Park, 3-1. Home runs hit by Expos‘ catcher Gary Carter, the game’s MVP, and Braves‘ outfielder Dale Murphy prove to be the difference in the 55th Midsummer Classic. Another reason I love Dale Murphy.
Candlestick Park was great. The new field for the Giants is very nice but Candlestick had a “nice feel” to it.
Related articles
- Atlanta Braves History: Dale Murphy is picked by the Braves in the 1st round (June 5, 1974) (mww1954.wordpress.com)
- Atlanta Braves History: July 4, 1919 (mww1954.wordpress.com)
- Atlanta Braves History: Chipper Jones breaks Dale Murphy’s home run record (July 5, 2007) (mww1954.wordpress.com)
- Atlanta Braves History: Joe Morgan goes 6-6 against the Braves (July 9, 1965) (mww1954.wordpress.com)
- Atlanta Braves History: Tricky Nichols plays one game for the Braves (1876) (mww1954.wordpress.com)
Atlanta Braves History: A gutsy move by Harry Wright (1877)
English: Ezra Sutton, Boston Beaneaters, 3rd Base, 1879 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ezra Sutton started with the Braves (then known as the Boston Red Caps) in 1877. He came to the Braves from Philadelphia. Manager Harry Wright placed the infielder in the lineup as a shortstop. That was a gutsy move since his brother George was currently playing the position. He moved George to second base. It was the only year George would not play shortstop.
It paid off for Harry. Sutton drove in 39 runs that year. That was good enough for third in the league that year. The Braves ended up winning the pennant 7 games ahead.
Related articles
- Atlanta Braves History: July 4, 1919 (second game) (mww1954.wordpress.com)
- Atlanta Braves History: July 4, 1919 (mww1954.wordpress.com)
Atlanta Braves History: July 4, 1919
My dad was born on this day. He loved the Atlanta Braves. They were the Boston Braves at this point. 1919 was not a great year for the Braves and July 4th would be fairly typical of the season. The played a double header on this day. They split the pair with the Brooklyn Dodgers. And so, my dad (Everett Wiley Wilson) was born and the Braves split a pair.
Atlanta Braves History – Fred Tenney (1894-1907, 1911)
Fred Tenney played for the Braves when they were know as the Beaneaters, Doves and Rustlers (1894-1907, 1911). He was a first baseman, outfielder, catcher and pitcher. Clearly very versatile. He was born in Georgetown, Massachusetts on November 26, 1871 and passed away on July 3, 1952. He batted and threw as a lefty.
He was truly one of the pioneers in the early years of the game. He was also an amazing first baseman. The Beaneaters great manager, Frank Selee had already won 3 pennants when he spotted Fred. In that day, he was a pretty rare prospect as a left handed catcher. But Selee could spot talent and Tenney would help him win two more pennants and a place in history as the greatest team in the 1890’s.
The Names
I wouldn’t think there would be a controversy on baseball team names. You would think the history would be clear. But amazingly enough, for 1876 to 1882, some still called them the Red Stockings, some called them the Red Caps and others the Braves during those years.
The Braves franchise began in 1876 in Boston, moved to a Milwaukee in 1953, and came to a stop in Atlanta in 1966. Over the course of a century-plus they have seen three cities and many different official names.
So, I will use the following as the “official” reference but I could be wrong. 🙂
- Boston Red Caps 1876-1882
- Boston Beaneaters 1883-1906
- Boston Doves 1907-1910
- Boston Rustlers 1911-1911
- Boston Braves 1912-1935
- Boston Bees 1936-1940
- Boston Braves 1941-1952
- Milwaukee Braves 1953-1965
- Atlanta Braves 1966-Today
Michael Wilson's Blog 