Chipper Jones played 19 MLB seasons from 1993-2012 (take out the 1994 strike-shortened season he missed with an ACL tear. The Braves won division titles in 1993 and from 1995-2005. Add in 2010 and 2012 Wild Card berths and Jones was part of 14 playoff teams.
Once the prototype for success in the National League, the Braves are in a mode the Atlanta fans are not used to: rebuilding. On Sunday, one day before the start of the regular season, the Braves shipped off closer Craig Kimbrel and outfield Melvin Upton, Jr. (formerly B.J. Upton) to finish an offseason that saw trades moving former All-Stars Justin Upton and Jason Heyward.
The Braves' moving pieces caused a little stir among the Braves faithful. Jones, the long-time face of the franchise, was ready with Twitter to support his only MLB club.
I know it sucks Braves Country, but once u decide to rebuild, u better go all the way. U now have a ton of minor league talent that (cont.)
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
Is on the verge of being major league talent. U now have 4 picks in the top 54 picks in this years draft. AND u now have flexibility (cont.)
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
In ur payroll to be able to compete on the free agent market if u so desire. It's gonna take some time, but I think what John Hart is (cont)
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
Doing, will again, make the Braves a contender for a long time. We got away from what made us, the Braves! John Hart is getting it back.
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
Jones appears to be playing nice, but he may have a scapegoat. This past fall, the Braves underwent a change in the front office when general manager Frank Wren was released. John Hart was named interim general manager and later President of Baseball Operations. Jones retweeted a message addressed to him about the transition:
@RealCJ10 It sucks that they had to get to this place. By choices by the previous administration put them in this precarious position, IMO.
— Eddie Applegate (@BamaEd) April 6, 2015
Jones stayed online late into Sunday night. When the clock struck midnight to signal April 6–Opening Day–Jones hung in. He shifted from front office Tweeter to marketing Tweeter.
It should be the attitude of all Braves fans to embrace the rebuild. Go to the park and watch these kids learn and get better, (cont)
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
all the while, keeping an eye on the future! Cheer them on. It's only gonna help them play harder for you in the long run!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
And you know what, Jones is going to come out to Turner Field to back up his social media words.
I will be at the Ted on Fri nite to support my Braves. I hope to see all my choppin brethren there as well. There will be bumps along (cont)
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
the way, but there will be character, confidence building wins as well. I can't wait to see how it all plays out over the next few seasons!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
Good luck to the Bravos this season! I am behind you. Braves Country is behind you! Play hard, play the game right, and good times will come
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
Jones was back up in time for the 4:10 ET first pitch at the Miami Marlins on Monday.
Happy Opening Day everyone! Let's buckle our chinstraps. Batten down hatches. Circle the wagons. It's baseball, it's a game! Enjoy it!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
When the Braves won 2-1 in a pitcher's duel, Jones was there to say I told you so:
Now that wasn't so bad.....was it??? Bout 89 more and we right in the mix!!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 6, 2015
Despite the 1-0 Braves record, Jones' former fans did not embrace his optimism. The backlash on Twitter continued after the win.
What's the world coming to??? I'm sitting here arguing with so called 'Braves fans'. Can't please erry-one, I guess! I will 'shut up' now.
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 7, 2015
Jones even got real with a fan who called Alex Rodriguez a classier third baseman than Chipper:
@grantanders_5 @hydrosledd u 2 are certainly made for each other. Best wishes and God Bless u in y'all's relationship!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 7, 2015
For anyone concerned about Jones' anxiety, the Braves' all-time leader in walks (Hank Aaron leads almost every category) did have a chance to relax Monday night and watch the NCAA Basketball National Championship Game:
Congrats to Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils on their National Championship. Gutty performance by young guys against a seasoned Badger club!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) April 7, 2015
Jones was a career .303 hitter with 2,726 hits, 468 home runs and 1,623 RBI. The Braves retired his number 10 in 2013. Jones will be on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 2018, where many project he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. In the meantime, he has the Braves to watch. And critique.
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
