While most 38 year old third basemen with 17 MLB seasons under their belts would probably call it a career after tearing their ACL with fifty games left in the season, Chipper Jones is going to rehab his injury with spring training in mind. How Jones’ body reacts will remain to be seen, but this comeback is a must.
Jones is the career active National League home run leader with 436, he has two years left on his contract and averages 31 homers a year, putting him at 498 if he hits his average for the remaining years of the contract. He is the active leader in hits with 2490, runs scored with 1505, 1491 RBI, and 4365 total bases. He is second in doubles with 493.
While Jones will no doubt be entering the Hall of Fame one day, he will be putting himself in the elite of the elite class of first ballot Hall of Famer if he comes back and hits his career average in the categories listed above. He is on the cusp of some mind blowing numbers, and all this in the National League where finishing off his career as a designated hitter is not an option.
It’s common knowledge how competitive athletes are and how important numbers are in baseball. This is why I feel that Chipper Jones is making the right decision in trying to come back.
Please keep in mind that this is being written by a Phillies’ fan who just happens to truly enjoy a classy ball player from any team.
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