This is still BRAVES COUNTRY...

3B Chipper Jones swings the bat for the final time as he legged out an infield single. Photo: Getty Images

At least it still is to me. Well, this was not the ending Chipper Jones wanted. And riding off into that perfect sunset was just not meant to be. Chipper said in his post game comments that he has no regrets. At least he did get a ring back in 1995 when the Braves beat the Indians to claim that World Series. Chipper's last career at-bat was an infield single. But I would guess he would trade that for a trip to Washington. But there are many factors that caused the Braves a chance to move forward in the playoffs, none more talked about than the infield fly rule, that in my opinion, should never have been called. The Braves were down at that point 3-6, but were rallying with players on 1st and 2nd when the infield fly rule was called. That would have loaded the bases. But instead of one out and bases loaded, it was two outs and 1st and 2nd still occupied. My question is, where in the rule book does it state that an infield fly rule can be called 80 feet in the outfield? First off, that's a fly ball to the outfield, not a pop up in the infield. Infield stops where the dirt of the infield ends, or at least it should. Okay, I'm not going to get carried away because it is just a game, and there were other factors that contributed to the loss. Three errors cost the Braves three runs. At that point it was 2-0 Braves courtesy of C David Ross 2-run homer to left. So it was man on first and one out and the ball was sharply hit to Chipper, double play and out of the inning. Nope!! Chipper throws it into the outfield. Later there were two more errors, which resulted in a swing in momentum for the Cardinals as they took the lead 3-2.

But my hats go off to the Braves for staying strong throughout the season. There was not a debacle of losing 20 of 30 like the 2011 season. This season as much as I would have loved to see Chipper and the Braves earn that ring, it wasn't meant to be. The void at third for years to come is going to be felt. And even when the new player lines up at third, a little bit of me will look over there and imagine Chipper positioned ready to snag the  baseball and fire to first. The 2013 season might bring another player at centerfield. Centerfielder and leadoff man Michael Bourn is a free agent and might surf the market. Martin Prado could fill the leadoff spot, and even play third, but that would mean a shifting of players in all positions. My guess the Braves try to resign Bourn, leave Prado in leftfield, and try to pick up a third baseman in the free agent market.

Here's to a relaxing offseason for the Braves and lets get ready to fire it back up this upcoming February. Oh, BTW, let's go Washington Nationals, lets bring the trophy back to the National League East.

Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley
I am a loving husband, father.  God and family are #1 in my life.
Kennesaw State Univ alum in Journalism. 
Academic librarian/writer/blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized 
when they are written."

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