AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 15
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Chipper and Matt Show Was Smashing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This would not be the first time I’ve suggested the Braves aren’t going to trade Chipper Jones anytime in the foreseeable future, but today’s probably a good time to reiterate.
Last night’s three-homer performance was one of those that makes you glad you were working (or attending) the game. The 34-year-old 3B didn’t just hit three homers _ he absolutely crushed two of them.
No fence-scrapers among the trio of blasts, but the last one, the one to right-field upper deck, was of Frank Howard proportions.
I was assured by several Washington media members that no more than two balls have been hit as far in two seasons at decrepit RFK Stadium, though old Frank (Howard) hit several longer ones in the first go-around of major league ball at this yard.
Howard’s prodigious shots are marked by white seats scattered throughout the upper deck, including one that’s probably 500 feet or more in straightaway center field, halfway up the upper deck.
I saw Big Cat (Galarraga) hit a 529-foot rocket off Kevin Brown at then-Pro Player Stadium, and saw Big Mac hit a 545-footer off Livan Hernandez at old Busch, the longest of McGwire’s.
But Chipper’s wasn’t far off those two, in terms of the majestic arc of the ball and the exlosion off the bat or distance, I’d imagine. They don’t give official estimates at RFK, but everyone agreed somewhere around 475-490. I’d say closer to 500, based on the other two I mentioned seeing.
When you witness a homer like that, it just looks so different, sounds so different even, than a typical 400-footer. There was a gasp in the pressbox when Chipper hit that third one. And more than one “Oh … my … God.”
Anyway, it’s just too bad Matt Diaz couldn’t have done the 10-for-10 thing on any other night, because it was truly worthy of huge headlines. Any time you tie a National League record, it’s obviously special. Incredibly special. Hadn’t been done since 1992, when Bip Roberts pulled off the feat.
The major league record, by the way, is 12 straight hits.
So what does it mean for Diaz? His recent performance will likely keep him in the lineup and might even give the Braves reason to consider _ at least consider _ him for an every-day job next year. More likely, it at least means he’s a quality hitter who will be playing somewhere next season in the majors, probably Atlanta. How Tampa Bay or Kansas City didn’t see potential enough to keep him, I have no idea.
Diaz can flat-out hit. No Gold Glover fielder, obviously, and not a ton of power, but he can hit enough to stay in a lineup for a lot of teams.
Check out his recent stats: .370 (40-for-108) in past 47 games, though only nine extra-base hits (three homers) and 12 RBIs. Many of those games were as a pinch-hitter.
In his past 20 games, he’s 22-for-50 (.440) with three homers and 10 RBIs. Very solid. Oh, and 10-for-11 with two doubles and a homer in his past three games. Not bad.
Chipper? Uh, he’s on another planet. Batting .339 with a 1.016 OPS this season, which trails only Pujols and Berkman in the NL. And lately he’s the hottest hitter in the majors, despite the DL stint in the middle of his scorching run.
He’s hit .367 with 38 extra-base hits, 51 RBIs and a .439 OBP in his past 57 games, and _ hold on to seats, please _ .500 (47-for-94) with 11 homers, 30 RBIs and a 1.519 OPS in his past 24 games. That’s not a typo. A .500 average and 1.519 OPS over 24 games? That’s ridiculous.
Critics of Chipper, until further notice, stand down.
And now, as promised:
38 (no, make it 39) Clash songs as good or better than Rock The Casbah, many of them far better:
- Janie Jones, 2. I’m So Bored With the U.S.A., 3. White Riot, 4. Hate And War, 5. London’s Burning, 6. Career Opportunities, 7. Police And Thieves, 8. Garageland, 9. Safe European Home, 10. Tommy Gun, 11. Julie’s in the Drug Squad, 12. Guns on the Roof, 13. London Calling, 14. Brand New Cadillac, 15. Rudie Can’t Fail, 16. Spanish Bomb, 17. Lost In The Supermarket, 18. Clampdown, 19. The Guns of Brixton, 20. Wrong ‘em Boyo, 21. Death Or Glory, 22. Koka Kola, 23. Four Horsemen, 24. I’m Not Down. 25. Train In Vain, 26. Clash City Rockers, 27. Radio Clash, 28. White Man In Hammersmith Palais, 29. I Fought The Law, 30. The Magnificent Seven, 31. Ivan Meets G.I. Joe, 32. Somebody Got Murdered, 33. Charlie Don’t Surf, 34. Know Your Rights, 35. Should I Stay Or Should I Go?, 36. Straight to Hell, 37. Overpowered by Funk, 38. Sean Flynn, 39. Complete Control.
Strong recommendation of the day (besides any of the first five albums by the Clash): Townes Van Zandt’s Texas Rain (The Texas Hill Country Recordings). Beautiful, live versions of the late _ and criminally underrated _ singer-songwriters’ greatest gems, with duets with Emmylou, Willie and other appearances by James McMurtry and the like along the way. Recorded during early ;’90s but not released until 2001, it’s a great intro to a man who ranks among the greatest songwriters this country’s produced. If you like Earle, Cash, Lovett, etc, you’ll love Townes. He’s right there with them. Sheer greatness.
