Chipper Jones—baseball's best switch-hitter: Braves star believes the best is yet to come even though he has already earned MVP, All-Star and World Series honors - Atlanta Braves

Baseball Digest, Sept, 2003 by David O'Brien

HE HAS DRIVEN IN 100 OR MORE runs in seven consecutive seasons, scored 100 or more in six of seven seasons and been booed lustily by opposing fans at an untold number of stops along the way.

He has hit more than .310 in five consecutive seasons, slammed 32 or more homers in six of seven, been wildly cheered (and sometimes jeered) in Atlanta, and heard fans in New York and elsewhere derisively chant "Larrry, Larr-ry" more than he can remember.

"I realized I may have been taking this game too seriously and not enjoying it as much as I could," Chipper Jones says.

He has a .318 career average batting right-handed, a .306 career average batting left-handed, an oh-so-sweet swing from both sides of the plate, and a cool demeanor that makes it all look rather easy and makes him appear a little cocky.

OK, a lotta cocky.

He is Chipper Jones. And to many observers, his is the face of the Atlanta

Braves.

He has decided it's time for that face to smile more. Time to lighten up a little.

"I just got to a point in my life and career, where I came to the realization I have a lot to be thankful for and be happy about," said Jones, a six-time All-Star who:

* Reached the majors at 22 and was a five-time All-Star third baseman at 29;

* Volunteered to switch from third base to left field in his prime to help the team;

* Is funnier and far less intense in person than he seems in television interviews.

During last offseason, sometime between his sponsor-paid trip to the Mizuno factory in Japan and deer hunting with actor Kurt Russell on Jones' Texas ranch, the fair-haired Brave came to a conclusion.

"I realized I may have been taking this game too seriously and not enjoying it as much as I could," Jones said. "I decided I'm going to laugh more, hang around with my teammates more.

"I don't like being interrupted at dinner (by people who recognize him), so I'll still be careful about that. But if a couple of guys ask me to do something like go to a movie on the road, I might be more likely to do that now."

Before his critics start to dissect this statement, Jones makes it clear he fully appreciates his station in life, not to mention being drafted by the Braves instead of some sadsack franchise.

"I feel extremely lucky," he said. "I could be looking at the other end of the spectrum. I could be losing 100 games a year, struggling to get to the postseason.

"How many guys have 10 years in the majors and know nothing but postseason appearances, 100-105 wins a year, having the opportunity to win a World Series every year? Nobody's complaining from this end. I've got the greatest job in the world."

Still pursuing that one magical season

Don't get the wrong idea. This tough country boy from central Florida isn't going soft or having some mid-life crisis at age 30.

He is driven professionally by at least three things: The strong desire to add to his one World Series ring, to continue with his unwavering offensive production, and the belief he hasn't had that one magical, maximum, everything-went-right season.

"I don't think I've had my career year yet," said Jones, who had a personal-best .330 average in 2001, a personal-best 111 RBI in 1997 and 2000 and 45 homers in 1999.

"Maybe home-run wise, I've had my career year," he said. "But run-production-wise, I don't think I have."

He went into spring training with 15 pounds of added muscle, the strongest he's been since 1999. After considering a possible move to first base over the winter if that's what the team needed, Jones is back in left field for a second season.

He made seven errors last season, though only two in his final 86 games as he grew accustomed to his new position. He hasn't ruled out an eventual move to first base.

There was an uncharacteristic power drought for Jones early last season, but he finished at .327 with 26 home runs and 100 RBI, the fifth player in National League history to have at least seven consecutive 100-RBI seasons.

"He'll put the same numbers up every year," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "Chippers kind of a throwback. Doesn't show a lot of emotion, because that's his way of focusing. He's smart. Very knowledgeable player. He comes in and studies pitchers. Anything to get the little edges, he does it."

Right-handers and lefties, power pitchers and junkballers. Jones doesn't discriminate.

A few examples: At the start of the 2003 season, he was 6-for-12 with eight RBI against Giants closer Robb Nen; 18-for-55 (.327) with three homers against Mets ace Al Leiter; and a stunning 9-for-21 (.429) with six homers against five-time Cy Young winner Randy Johnson.

He has five straight seasons with more walks than whiffs, at least 95 walks annually.

"He's got some of the best eyes in the league," said Marlins right-hander A.J. Burnett, who had 203 strikeouts in 204.1 innings last season before going down with an injured elbow forcing him to miss all of the '03 campaign.

Jones is 10-for-27 (.370) against him with just two strikeouts.

Jones speaks from the heart

But Jones also has a well-deserved reputation for speaking honestly, often bluntly.