Chipper's Farewell Tour

When I bought tickets to Wednesday afternoon's Braves game at Yankee Stadium, I was just excited to see my favorite team in person in the Bronx.  It was only later that I realized that, barring a Braves vs. Yankees matchup in the 2012 World Series, this would be Atlanta legend Chipper Jones' final visit to The (New) House that Ruth Built.  Unfortunately, I learned via Twitter on Wednesday morning that Chipper wouldn't be playing; at 40 years old, day games immediately following night games aren't really in the cards for the third baseman anymore.  I did, however, get a chance to see Chipper take the field before the first pitch to take part in a very classy ceremony orchestrated by the Yankee brass.

Ever since Chipper announced that 2012 would be his final season, opposing teams have been celebrating Jones' career as he makes his way through the season's schedule.  On a blazing hot day, Yankees captain Derek Jeter and former Atlanta star (and current New York backup outfielder) Andruw Jones stepped out of the home team dugout to honor Chipper.  In commemoration of his final visit to the Bronx, the Yankees presented #10 with third base from Tuesday evening's game, the last Jones will ever play at Yankee Stadium (see the photo below).  For their part, the Yankees fans gave Chipper a pretty big ovation.  After two World Series matchups between Chipper's Braves and the Yanks (1996 and 1999, both of which New York won pretty easily), it seems like the New York faithful have a lot of respect for the Atlanta star.

Derek Jeter and Andruw Jones presented Chipper with third base for Tuesday night's game.

Of all of MLB's teams, the Yankees are arguably the one with the most respect for tradition and legacy.  In addition to a Monument Park honoring some of the greatest baseball players of all time - Ruth, Mantle and DiMaggio, to name a few - the Yankees currently have a living legend on their roster whose image is permanently attached to the team's name and logo: Derek Jeter.  Given how much the New York fans love #2, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that they have a lot of respect for Atlanta's Chipper Jones.  While Chipper won't have quite the same legacy as Jeter does when they're both retired, they are both future Hall of Famers who have spent their entire illustrious careers with one organization.  I would argue that Chipper represents the Tomahawk in exactly the same way that Jeter represents the Pinstripes, and in that way Yankees and Braves fans of my generation will be forever linked.

I hope that I get another chance to see Chipper Jones play in person (perhaps later this season at Citi Field, Citizens Bank Park or even Nationals Park), but in case I don't I'm glad I was at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.  Given their love for their own captain and long-time superstar, it seems fitting and appropriate that the Yankees would honor the cornerstone of the Atlanta organization over the past two decades.  Plus, if nothing else, Chipper has caused Mets fans a ton of heartache over the past fifteen years, which is something every Yankees fan should truly appreciate.