Chipper Jones could not have gone out in better fashion as an All-Star in Kansas City Tuesday night and, to thank him, Major League Baseball will send his hat and bat from the game to Cooperstown, N.Y.
Jones went 1-1 in the All-Star game and received a huge standing ovation as he was going up to the plate.
Tony LaRussa gave him the chance to hit in the designated hitter position for Matt Holliday and he did not disappoint.
No, he did not hit a home run, that would have been controversial. Chipper hit a dribbler to second base that could not be reached by Texas Rangers' second baseman Ian Kinsler and trickled into the outfield.
The fans loved him and so did his teammates.
Players like Bryce Harper and Pablo Sandoval payed their respects to the 8-time All-Star. Harper was in competition with Jones for the last spot in the National League lineup and said he would give up his spot for Chipper.
Sandoval, who plays third base for the San Francisco Giants and hit the first bases loaded triple in All-Star Game history, said he was looking forward to meeting Chipper and spending time with him.
MLB twitted last night, "One guy Sandoval really wanted to meet? 'Chipper Jones. He's the best and a legend. Really wanted to get to know him better.' #ASG"
Chipper was designated to give the pregame speech. He wrapped up saying "I am not going out losing my last one."
Emphasis on the NOT.
The long time great Derek Jeter, who has been a foe for Chipper a couple of times, payed his respects when he told Erin Andrews that his speech in the American League clubhouse could not even compare to what Chipper had to say.
Chipper is a first ballot Hall of Famer. It will be five years before he gets the call. In the meantime, the gear he wore to his last All-Star Game will hold his spot in Cooperstown.
