Chipper leaves KC with special memories

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | 07/11/12 1:00 AM ET

KANSAS CITY -- As Chipper Jones moves toward the final months of his storied career, he stands as one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history. Thus, maybe it was fitting that he played his first All-Star Game in Mike Schmidt's house and his last in a city where George Brett remains a beloved figure.

Before experiencing his final Midsummer Classic at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night, Jones shared some laughs with Brett and delivered a pregame speech to his National League teammates. Then to cap off a memorable experience, he singled in the sixth inning of the Senior Circuit's 8-0 win over the American League.

"It's a really cool moment," Jones said. "I've said all along through the first half there have been games and moments that couldn't have been scripted any better. Today is one of those games that I will remember fondly when I look back on my last season."




Jones' soft sixth-inning single stood as just one of the highlights Braves players produced while helping the NL secure home-field advantage in the World Series with a third consecutive All-Star Game victory. Dan Uggla aided a five-run first-inning with his RBI infield single against the oft-dominant Justin Verlander.

"It was fun out there," said Braves outfielder Michael Bourn, who struck out in his only plate appearance. "Plus Chipper got to go out with a hit in his last at-bat in an All-Star Game."

Jones received a rousing ovation during pregame introductions and again when he came off the bench and strolled toward the plate with "Crazy Train" blaring through the stadium's sound system.

Before the crowd could get settled, Jones directed Chris Sale's first-pitch fastball toward the infield's right side. Shifted toward second base, Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler did not attempt to dive as the ball made its way toward right field.

"I was thinking, 'Beat it out,' right away," Jones said. "At 40 years old, legging out an infield hit isn't exactly the way I scripted it."

When asked if he was showing reverence by allowing Jones to record a single, Kinsler said he would never do such a thing and was simply not warmed up enough to make a more aggressive attempt to field the ball.

For Jones, the single in his final at-bat bookends his All-Star memories. He also singled off Charles Nagy in the first at-bat of his first All-Star Game in Philadelphia in 1996.

"It ain't how hard you hit it, it's where you hit it," Jones said. "After getting a standing ovation, I have to admit I was a little misty. It's kind of hard to see 97 [mph] coming out of Chris Sale's hand."

Since arriving to enjoy his final All-Star week on Monday, Jones has been treated royally by the players and Kansas City fans, who had never had a chance to see him play in their city. The veteran thoroughly enjoyed watching his sons delight while Monday night's State Farm Home Run Derby and the parade held during Tuesday's All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Chevrolet.

"It's been awesome," Uggla said. "He's been kind of like the Godfather around here. Everybody is just doing an amazing job. He's enjoying it too. He was a truck or two behind me in the parade. He was standing up waving. It was like they had him on a pedestal. He was standing up and having a blast."

Sixteen years after playing in his first All-Star Game, Jones still glows when thinking about the time he spent around Ozzie Smith, Barry Larkin and Cal Ripken. Two decades from now, Nationals 19-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper might find himself talking about his first Midsummer Classic being sweetened by Jones' presence.

"It's so great to see him get a single in his last All-Star Game," Harper said. "It was really fun to hang out with him and everybody else in this clubhouse."

As Jones addressed Harper and the rest of the NL team before the game, he reminded them that they were selected because they stand as the "elite of the elite." He also quoted Lou Brown, the fictional manager from the movie, "Major League," and declared he did not plan to lose his final All-Star Game.

When the NL broke out for five first-inning runs against Verlander, it appeared Jones' speech might have had a Knute Rockne-type effect.

"It's almost more meaningful to hear a speech from a player like that, who we all respect, than from anyone else," Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun said. "It was pretty cool."

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120710&content_id=34819152&vkey=news_atl&c_id=mlb

Chipper Jones 安打 動人心弦


更新日期:2012/07/12 05:30記者:曾文祺特稿


中國時報【曾文祺／特稿】

英語不太輪轉的M.卡布瑞拉撫著老媽邊走邊拭淚，19歲國民隊狀元郎哈波最後票選時刻，表明讓賢給40歲屆退的勇士隊奇柏瓊斯；結果皆大歡喜，兩人同場歡樂...。第83屆大聯盟明星賽不只星光燦爛，場邊故事也動人。

洋基2009年把「牛奶小子」卡布瑞拉交易至勇士，隔年遭釋出。2011年他於皇家締造生涯新高，今年被交易到巨人隊，又成了上半季該隊最強打者。

「很意外拿下MVP，感謝這裡的球迷！」牛奶小子一路流浪，直到出頭天。昨晚回到皇家寇夫曼球場，得到地主球迷震天般歡呼！賽後獲頒明星賽最大獎MVP時，牛奶媽媽觸景落淚，他也情不自禁揉著汪汪雙眼，球迷也更加欣賞他了。

哈波讓賢的美事也讓明星賽更有人情味。7月初明星賽名單公布時哈波並未入選，但列名球迷票選最後階段的「 Final Vote」國聯5選1名單，與效力勇士19載，今年將退休的奇柏瓊斯競爭最後1席。

當時哈波說：「我認為1位名人堂球員應該在他生涯最後1年打明星賽，如果讓我投票，我會投給他。」這席話出自19歲、前景大好的球員口中，著實令人欽佩。

不久瓊斯、哈波因道奇隊坎普、馬林魚隊史丹頓受傷，雙雙補進明星賽，得以於昨晚同樂。哈波成為明星賽史上最年輕的野手，5局上代打獲保送。

6局上動容的時刻來了！瓊斯拎著棒子準備上場代打，滿場球迷即起立歡呼，兩隊球員更大爆掌聲；他則舉頭盔回敬，再送上安打。賽前瓊斯曾於更衣室為隊友集氣：「我可不想在最後1次明星賽以輸球作回憶。」國聯小老弟們果然痛快送出再見禮。

2012「仲夏夜經典」絢爛落幕，然而這些人、這些事，已讓第83屆賽會成了經典的一年。

最難捨…瓊斯明星賽終曲


更新日期:2012/07/12 06:11


在塞滿超過4萬人的考夫曼球場，球迷齊聲喝采、球員起立鼓掌，全為了勇士40歲老將奇普瓊斯，他於第6局代打敲安，為生涯最後一次明星賽寫下完美句點，踏上壘包時，笑得比誰都開心。

今年即將退休的瓊斯說：「那一刻真是棒透了！當我回顧最後一個球季，這絕對是其中一場令我永遠難忘的比賽。」

瓊斯生涯19年都效力勇士，是現役球員待在同隊最久的球員，他在最後明星賽的球帽和球棒都將被送進古柏鎮名人堂珍藏。 （記者郭羿婕）