If possible, “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne would play when this article opened.
The Atlanta Braves were able to salvage the series against the Cardinals on Thursday night, avoiding a sweep. With the Phillies idle, Atlanta decreased their magic number to 10 games. This number has a lot of meaning to the Braves organization and to their fans across the world.
The number 10 will never be worn again by Braves players to honor the legendary career of Chipper Jones. Chipper was the face of Atlanta’s franchise through his 19-season big league career. He was the idol for many youngsters growing up. Jones was the player children imagined themselves as in their backyard playing wiffle ball.
In his time, Jones collected over 2,700 hits with a .303 batting average, 468 home runs, and north of 1,600 RBIs. Chipper finished in the top 25 of MVP voting 12 times, not including the year he won the award (1999). Jones was selected to the National League all-star team eight times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
September 5, 2003 | Pirates at Braves (Game 1)
— Braves on TBS (@BravesOnTBS) September 5, 2023
Bottom 10th: “Chipper Jones just won the ballgame!” - Joe Simpson#OTD 20 years ago pic.twitter.com/nokMj2Q5zQ
With these ridiculous statistics and accolades, Chipper Jones is often referred to as the greatest switch hitter to ever play the game. His only competition for that title just happens to be the man he modeled his game after, Mickey Mantle.
For Chipper to even be in the same conversation as Mantle is a dream come true to him. To have the career Jones did would be impressive no matter what but to do it across 19 seasons with one team makes it that much more special.
Chipper is still very involved in the organization as a major-league hitting consultant hoping to pass his wisdom to current players. It seems that Chipper and Austin Riley have connected well with each other which has contributed to a lot of the success Riley has had over his young career.
The Braves begin a weekend series with the Pirates on Friday in hopes of bringing their magic number for a division title down to single digits. The Phillies will be back in action against a Marlins team that just took two of three games from the Dodgers and has won four of their last five.
The best-case scenario is that the Braves wake up on Saturday morning with a magic number of 8 to win the NL East.