Hoping to hear those chants from the fans in New York calling out "Larry," "Larry." And then hearing the pop of the bat as it sails out of Citi Field. Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is bound for a strong year. It seems just like yesterday that he pulled up lame and tore his ACL running out a ground ball in spring training his rookie season of 1993. Then turn forward to 2010, and it's playoff time. Chipper has had a solid season, but has been injured off and on during the season. But it's playoffs, and who would say they didn't want to play. Injured or not. So in is Chipper, and he is flagging down a ground ball, and suddenly he hears the same pop as he heard 17 years prior. Uh oh!!! He knows what this means. Out for the rest of the playoffs and maybe career done. Nope!!! Not Chipper. He can't go down like this. He spent all offseason strengthening the knee, and he's back, and feels better than ever.
In 2011, Chipper is back to silence all the doubters that say he can't play anymore, or say that he doesn't have the pop in his bat anymore. Well, he might not have the pop in his bat that he did the year the Braves won it all. But he is determined to finish strong. You will always see a smile on his face, and that mentor in his eyes as he schools the younger guys.
And yes, then and again you will see him trotting around all four bases, exerting little energy because he has just put another ball in the stands. And you will always see him hussle in the field, stretching out trying to make a play.
And you won't be hearing the chants of Larry around Turner Field. Just "Chipper does it again."
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