Chipper Jones' Retirement Gifts

SI Staff | Oct 1, 2012

Chipper Jones' Retirement Gifts /

Chipper Jones' Retirement Gifts

Stetson hat

The Astros kicked off the Chipper Jones retirement party as former second baseman Craig Biggio presented him with a Stetson cowboy hat. Chipper owns the Double Dime Ranch in Texas and will put this gift to good use.

Wrigley Field pennant

Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster presented Chipper with the Braves flag that once flew on the standings flagpole above Wrigley Field.

Jersey and photo

In a May visit to St. Louis, former teammate Rafael Furcal, pitcher Adam Wainwright, and general manager John Mozeliak presented Chipper with a jersey signed by Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial, along with photo signed by the team.

Third base

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty and third baseman Scott Rolen presented a third base bag to Chipper. All three bases had "Celebrating the Career of #10 Chipper Jones" placed on the sides. One of which Chipper will keep, with the Reds and Braves organizations keeping one in their own Halls of Fame.

Third base

As the calender turned to June, Chipper made his final trip to Yankee Stadium. Derek Jeter and former teammate Andruw Jones gave him a third base bag from the Bronx.

Surfboard

Former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman may have given Chipper the most unique gift -- a surfboard. Hang 10 for No. 10.

Bat, base and photo

Along with a signed third base bag and photo from his former teammates Mark DeRosa and Adam LaRoche, Chipper was also given the bat he used to hit the very first home run in the history of Nationals Park. That bat had been on display in the team's Hall of Fame.

Artwork

Better known as Lar-ry by Mets fans, CEO Jeff Wilpon points out details on a 48 x 40 inch framed piece of artwork by Charles Fazzino that was given to him in his final trip to New York in September. In addition, the popular Manhattan bar Foley's Pub and Restaurant changed its name to Chipper's for the weekend series.

Fishing gear

No team may be happier to see Chipper Jones retire than the Marlins. No opponent has more home runs (40), RBIs (165), hits (258), doubles (47), runs (152), at-bats (864) or walks (140) than Jones, who debuted in the majors in 1993 -- the same season as the Marlins.The Marlins gave Jones a fishing gift pack -- a fly-fishing rod and reel, vest, fly-tying kit, books on fly fishing, a hat with LCD lights so he can fish at dawn or dusk, a tackle box and a waterproof tote bag.

Painting

Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins presented Jones with a painting of one of his many plate appearances against the Phillies. For all his noted success against the Mets, his 49 homers against the Phillies ties him with the most against any opponent.

Sausages

For a September series in Milwaukee, Ryan Braun and the rest of the Brew Crew honored Chipper Jones by giving him a grill and a year's supply of Klement's sausages.

Video tributes

In every ballpark Chipper visited, there was a video tribute to his career. In addition, he received a new camera for his hunting bow by Rockies first baseman Todd Helton during his May visit to Colorado. On a June trip to Boston, he received the number 10 from the famous Fenway Park scoreboard.

Pool table, vacation, and more

On September 28, a day dubbed "Chipper Jones Day" by the governor of Georgia, Atlanta honored their third baseman. Teammates gave him a pool table. The Braves organization added a number of gifts, topped off with a Hawaiian vacation. The bases and on-deck circles for the team's final home stand are stamped with the Chipper Jones logo (as seen in the photo of Jones and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron) and will be auctioned off for charity.

Third base

In his final road trip of the season, Chipper was presented with one of the commemorative bases being used for the three-game series in Pittsburgh. The Pirates also made a $5,000 contribution to the Georgia chapter of Cystic Fibrosis in Chipper's name.

Published Oct 1, 2012

SI STAFF