Sure, others will put up similar numbers to him in the future. It's inevitable. However, this post is not about Chipper Jones, the baseball player. It's about a 9-year-old boy who idolized the future hall-of-famer during his rookie season and the 17 additional seasons thereafter.
That boy, of course, is me. Age nine was when I really started following baseball closely. I was just beginning to comprehend all the details that made it such a fantastic game. Thanks to Ted Turner, I followed the Atlanta Braves religiously on TBS. The young third baseball called Chipper, quickly became a favorite of mine. I rejoiced when he homered and agonized when he struck out.
It was the beginning of a pattern that continues at my current age of 26. However, it will end after this season. A few weeks ago, Chipper Jones announced he'll be retiring after 2012. Fortunately, it gives me 150+ games to brace for his farewell.
I will always be a big baseball fan, and my love for the Atlanta Braves will not waiver. However, there literately will NEVER be another Chipper Jones. Maybe I'll have a new favorite player, but there's a good chance he'll be younger than me. The days of me looking up to professional athletes are all but over. Chipper Jones is the last link I have left.
Thank you Chipper Jones. For several baseball fans, you will go down in history as a great player. But I'll remember you as my boyhood hero.
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| The sweet stroke of Chipper Jones. Unfortunately, these days are numbered. |
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