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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > September > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAaron recalls making call on Chipper
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When Hank Aaron leaves you a message to call his southwest Atlanta home as soon as possible, you dial his number even faster than that. Said the man who is baseball’s legitimate home run king instead of that other guy, “Something has just been bothering me, really. I don’t mind other things, but somehow, some things need to be spelled out correctly.”
To put it bluntly, Aaron wants everybody to know that Chipper Jones is spending another season racing toward Cooperstown mostly because of the Braves’ farm director years ago instead of its general manager. For the record, Aaron was that farm director, and Bobby Cox was that general manager.
So brace yourselves. This is another version of Ken Herock vs. Jerry Glanville. Instead of those former Falcons officials haggling over who really was responsible for trading future Hall of Famer Brett Favre to the Green Bay Packers in the early 1990s, this is about who really was responsible for the Braves signing Jones about that same time.
This is the same Jones who is closing in on a batting title to grace his résumé, which already includes a National League MVP award, more home runs than any switch hitter not named Mickey Mantle or Eddie Murray, and a World Series ring.
“I was listening to something [last week] on television where Bobby was talking about how, when Chipper came to the team, he took him aside to tell him what we did to get him here, and I was stunned, really,” said Aaron, before recalling a conversation he had with Braves officials in 1990 when they owned the No. 1 pick before that June draft. By the time of the draft, Aaron had been promoted to senior vice president.
Said Aaron, with a sigh, “I told Bobby. I told them all, and I told them, ‘Y’all better go and get Chipper Jones.’ “
That was opposed to pitcher Todd Van Poppel, Cox’s first choice, according to Aaron. “I talked to Van Poppel’s daddy, and he told me that he wasn’t going to sign with the Braves, but that’s who Bobby wanted with that first pick, because he always was into getting pitching.”
Cox looked perplexed when informed of Aaron’s remarks, saying, “Well, we had a lot of people see [Van Poppel], and they liked him. Some other [Braves scouts] went to see Chipper, and they liked him a lot. I can’t remember if I had Hank talk to Van Poppel’s father or not, but [Van Poppel] was unsignable. And we needed to know that beforehand. So that’s why it really was an easy decision to take Chipper. He wanted to sign. He wasn’t playing games with the college thing. It was simple. I mean, Chipper was the guy.”
Was he?
Aaron forced a chuckle. He mentioned how Van Poppel was taken 13 picks after Jones, played for six teams and retired with a 40-52 record and 5.58 ERA. “The kid never did anything, and that’s who Bobby wanted,” Aaron said. “But every time you listen, it’s always like, ‘Oh, yeah. We always wanted to sign Chipper Jones.’ The only reason they didn’t take Van Poppel was because of what I told them about what his daddy told me.”
If this sounds like a conflict between Aaronand Cox, now the Braves’ field manager, well, you make the call. Said Aaron of his relationship with Cox, “I just talk to him, you know. What bothers me is that when he became general manager [in 1985], there absolutely was no connection between the two of us.
“Here I am the farm director, and we have a bad ballclub, and it seems like he would talk to me about the kids we have in the minor leagues. It didn’t happen.”
Said Cox, “I like Henry. I thought he did everything great. We tried to include him in everything.”
Here’s my suggestion: How about Jones joining Aaron and Cox in the same room this winter for a group hug?
Permalink | Comments (37) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
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By Supes
September 23, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Ran out of ideas to write about there Terence? Time to give Romie a call, maybe he’ll get you back on the set!
By Kelly
September 23, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
What does it matter!!!!!!!!!
By michael
September 23, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
So Hank says it was solely his doing that the Braves drafted Chipper? Seems to me the person who gets the credit is the GM at the time. Good or BAD!! If a coach drafts a player the coach isn’t critized for drafting them it ultimately goes on the GM. So if a guy turns out to be HOF calibur player then the credit goes to the GM you can’t just put the bad on GM’s they deserve the good as well. So even if Hank was courting Chipper it was ultimately Bobby the then GM that put his name on paper. I’m sure there’s plenty of scouts out there that don’t get the amount of credit they would like rained down on them but it’s not them that gets the players to agree to terms it’s their job to find talent. I’m sure the scout or coach that convinced the A’s to draft Van Poppel won’t take credit for that bad decision I’m sure they put it on the GM.
By 1966 Braves fan
September 23, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
terence,
Just not the kind of journalism I like to see.
Glad you got your story. Quite sure it made you feel better.
By Big Braves Fan
September 23, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Who cares about who insisted upon drafting Chipper more? Why does this matter? Did one of the two old folks mentioned in this article get their feelings hurt like a little middle school girl?
More importantly, who will step up and take blame for this season’s debacle rather than a draft pick 18 years ago???
By jack
September 23, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
You know Terrance, to pick at something like this is just baiting the public, which I have to say is THE ONE thing you are expecially good at. I know it`s been a tough year for the Braves but, you should be ashamed to toss this He said, They said, pile of krap fuel onto the fire.
By Jesse
September 23, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
For all the articles that you have written that people hate this one was really good. I no longer live in Atlanta although I am making my way back I do miss your view that is not popular but they make sense. Good Job
By rhb
September 23, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
This was a strange article. Terrance, you probably did not do Aaron any favors by posting this. Hank was great and Chipper has been great. I’ll bet there were a lot of people in the organization in agreement with the Chipper pick. I’m sure that Hank made his recommendation for Chipper. Probably not a lot pf people will care either way.
By mbatl
September 23, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
I blame Terrence for most things in life, but not for this story. When a Braves official (a Senior VP, no less) calls a columnist with the major newspaper, and wants to vent, it’s news and should be reported.
I spent many years as the “number 2” of a trade association, and stood by while the head cheese took credit for my work. Not saying that happened here, but if it did, it’s a fact of life. You want credit? Go somewhere where you can be the decision maker, not just an adviser.
Aaron sounds angry with the organization. Whether that’s justified or not, he’s not likely to win a “power struggle”. Maybe he should retire.
By JBB
September 23, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Terrance — thanks for wasting space on the internet. You need to get a day job!!!
By Maniac is accurate
September 23, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
OK, thanks Hank for being the greatest player in history, the game’s greatest ambassador and recommending Chipper. Thanks Bobby for actually picking Chipper and being one of history’s best managers. Now, all y’all make up and get along. You’re all Braves.
By **NATIVE SON**
September 23, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Good story. Give credit, where credit is due. Peace! From The Native
By Bulldawg
September 23, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Terence, you continue to set new standards for meaningless journalism. Who cares? As far as I’m concerned, I have heard many people talk about Aaron, stories about his charging for autographs, complaining and poor-mouthing about the way he was treated, etc. This seems to be just another example of Aaron wanting credit for something. Lost his home run title (and was very un-gentlemanly about it), and now has to try and make sure the world doesn’t forget him. Who cares about who gets credit. They probably all had a hand in it and it was so long and so many players ago they can’t remember. Terence, I’m sure you will find something else equally meaningless to write about. The article I would like to see is the one you write as you are on the way out of town …
By ES
September 23, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
I have not ever cared for Bobby he had enough talent we should have won more than one ring.But I think its very silly of Hank to be talking openly about such.Looks bad to me to toot your own horn.
By Lefty Gomez
September 23, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
How can you tell when Bobby Cox is lying? His lips are moving.
When is the last time he made an honest comment about anything?
By Nelson
September 23, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
I don’t know 18 years ago but now and last year Bobby is making a lot of mistakes about who is playing and who is not and the examples are well known: 1- Last year had Andrew hitting clean-up almost the whole season batting around 200. 2- this year Selected Corky Miller over Javy, the Cuban Boy and also Sammons and then the guy never plays, so is lost time to develop another player. 3- This year Franchy is playing every day and looking worst than a mediocre player in all aspects of the game, he is doing nothing right at this moment. I got Terence’s point this Team needs a big fix and certainly is not Bobby Cox the one who is able to do it. And tha is my opinion!!!
By The Truth
September 23, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
But Terry, who called Chipper and Ryan Klesko the “golden boys” who should have been ditched instead of Tony Torasco and Brian Hunter? Oh, it was you! Why don’t you write an article about YOUR mistake?
I guess it’s better for you to try to make two of Atlanta’s heroes look bad by having them disagree about who liked Chipper Jones more.
By Mybulldawg
September 23, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Further to my first post. I admired Aaron as a kid growing up and have no way of knowing if the “bad” stories about Aaron are true. I hope not. I’ve never met the man, but I do know that records are made to be broken and Aaron could have been a little more sportsman-like about it. Seemed rather resentful to me. I’m no fan of Bonds and if steroids are proven, his records should be wiped from the books. If not, then I guess he’s the home-run king - period, at least until the next guy breaks it. Why, though Terence would you write an article that is (A) meaningless, (B) is irrevelant, (C) stirs controversy and (D) results in hard feelings? Terence, take a lesson from Munson - he was the best, and you, well, you figure it out.
By Doug Markham
September 23, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
I admire Bobby and Hank too much to take this too seriously.
By lawton
September 23, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
for ONCE, im on terrance side on this one, because, HE SAID HANK CALLED HIM, not the other way around, about this issue.
By Dan
September 23, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
I just lost a little respect for Henry. I have admired him my whole life, but that was very unprofessional. Bottom line is that ultimately it is the GM’s decision on who to draft. He seeks input from all key personel, but the GM makes the final decision. Good for Aaron if he did “recommend” and “push” drafting Chipper. Both deserve credit….but this is no way to go about “taking” the credit. Props for Bobby for being professional in his reply instead of getting into a “p** contest.”
By Jt
September 23, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
I have always loved Hank. Frankly, this sounds petty! Doesn’t sound like a “company” guy.
By heybud1508
September 23, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
I just don’t understand why this article is worthy of being printed.
It is about as newsworthy as the lunch I had today with some former colleagues.
After that I went to Blockbuster, picked out a couple of videos, returned a couple of videos.
Then, I went to the cleaners, picked up some clothes, dropped off some clothes.
Then, I went to the bank, wrote a few checks, cashed a few checks, and desposited a few checks.
Then, I came home, checked my email and took a nap.
By Terence Moore
September 23, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
JT,
I wouldn’t say Hank is being petty. He is just giving his side of the Chipper Jones-to-the-Braves story that he says hasn’t been given before.
This whole thing happened nearly two decades ago, so it sounds like he was being extremely patient regarding his comments.
The bottom line is that “Maniac is accurate” is accurate. To paraphrase those sentiments: Hopefully, Aaron and Cox can work this out.
By Rico Carty
September 23, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
From what I remember, Hank was more of a celebrity on the payroll pretending to be farm director than actually the farm director. Other people did the work. No wonder Hank says that he and Bobby didn’t talk much when Bobby was GM. I write this as someone who loves Hank Aaron and came of age watching him chase Ruth.
This article doesn’t add up to much. The team wanted to draft Van Poppel; Aaron, in his celebrity role as much as that of farm director, was assigned to call the family and sell them on the Braves; Aaron relayed the message that Van Poppel didn’t want to sign; the Braves chose Chipper. So what if Chipper was Aaron’s choice to begin with. On behalf of the organization, Cox made the ultimate decision, and it was the right one.
This article doesn’t make Hank look good at all and I’m sorry that it was written.
By Runnin
September 23, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
Here’s my suggestion: Why not exercise a little journalistic discretion and not even write this crap? Nothing good can come of it.
By Sideline
September 23, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Somebody not getting enough pats on the back? Why bring it up 20 years after the fact? Just because Chipper seems headed for the HOF, some want to be sure they get ‘credit’ it seems. Notice that Bobby Cox never says anything bad about anyone. Never.
I’ve always had UTMOST respect for Hank Aaron but this didn’t help him in the least. I’m really sorry he took this to ‘the media’ instead of handling it privately in-house, as it should have been. Disappointing.
By JP
September 23, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Wow that was pointless.
By BirdMahn
September 23, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
With all due respect to Henry, ANYBODY who saw Chipper play knew he was very talented. I knew the first time I laid eyes on him that he was/is a helluva “ball player.” I’m sure Henry saw that too, along with many others.
By CT Splitter
September 23, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Terrance Moore, its about time you had the guts to post something that wasn’t a complete shill job for Bobby Cox.
SHAME on Bobby Cox and his defenders!
By Gustopher
September 23, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Didn’t Carroll Rogers do an article about all this? Van Poppel said he wouldn’t sign with the Braves so they went with their #2 pick. Sounds like it was Chipper all the way
By BnB
September 23, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
I remember this being pretty much the way it was reported at the time. Henry telling Bobby that Van Poppel was unsignable and we better get chipper. I don’t blame Terrence for writing the article. I blame Aaron for calling him up about it…and this is from a guy who idolized Aaron. What is to be gained from this? Why is Aaron not talking to Bobby about it instead of “going to the press.” Sorry, but this is incredibly petty. So, who gets credit for Jones being a great ballplayer? How about Chipper? Sad.
By sharp
September 23, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
All i remember about Aaron as farm director was him saying how Brad Kominsk was going to do things Dale Murphy could only dream of doing.
By Talking Dawg
September 23, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
I just wasted bandwidth. I thought there might be some insight by clicking on this story. You probably would have got positive feedback if you linked to the Clay is Gay story —-
By JohnnyO
September 23, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
This is a non-story and nothing more than TM taking pot shots a Bobby Cox.
Did Hank favor drafting Chipper & Cox VanPoppel? Most likely given their backgrounds & the type players they seem to prefer. But did Hank have the primary say in the matter? Extremely doubtful. Paul Snyder was the director of scouting for the Braves and most likely he was the most influential person in the decision to draft Chipper. Hank was in charge of the farm system, he was not a full time scout, his duties would revolve more around developing players already within the organization rather than full time scouting players not in professional baseball.
But why even start this line of BS? Is TM just attempting to drive a wedge inside the Braves organization? Why quibble over little stuff like this? Chipper is and has been a GREAT Brave. Hank is probably the greatest Brave both on & off the field. And Bobby has also been a great Brave as well.
By BnB
September 23, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
If Hank wanted to make himself look petty and maybe a tad bit cowardly he accomplished it by making this phone call. I don’t blame T. Moore for writing the story. This comes form someone who worshiped Aaron as a kid. I can’t help but wonder why Henry doesn’t just take it up with Bobby personally if it is so important to him. Does it really make a difference at this point who discovered Jones? As best as I recall this is the way it was always reported from the start. They wanted van Poppel, he was unsignable and Aaron said we better sign Chipper. How about we just give Chipper credit for being a great ball player? With all the accolades that have been heaped down upon Henry Aaron why does he feel compelled to do this. Sad, really. But this is Aaron, I’m afraid. As sweet and decent a man as he is he has always held grudges whether it be with Roberto Clemente for being judged a better RFer by some people back in the day or because of the hate mongering that he suffered as a player. or because he was offered a managership of the team which he said he really didn’t want anyway. Damn, Hank. you’re the King. Let it go, baby.
By Teddy Ballgame
September 23, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
For years I’ve wanted to extend my sincerest THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU’S to Todd Van Poppel.
At the time he was going to be taken by Atlanta with the first pick, however, he wanted nothing to do with the lowly Braves. So, brilliantly (he thought), he intimated that he would not sign with the Braves because he was definitely going to college on his scholarship (to Stanford I believe).
Fortunately, the Braves believed he was serious and went with their very, very close 2nd choice - Chipper. Of course, the Oakland A’s later drafted Van Poppel, much to his glee. And now, many years later, much to the glee of Atlanta Braves fans far and wide.
So again, THANK YOU TODD VAN POPPEL!!!!
As far as whether Aaron is responsible, well, my guess is that Hank is simply setting the record straight: he was the one (as indicated above) that discovered that Van Poppel intended to go on to college and not sign with the Braves, and, therefore, told management: go with Chipper. No doubt in my mind this is what happened. The good news is that all along the Braves, including Bobby Cox, loved Chipper. Aaron, however, put the decision over the top. THANK YOU HANK!!!