Atlanta Braves Legend Chipper Jones Talks About Playoff Comments

Oct 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves former third baseman Chipper Jones reacts after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to game one of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Recent retired Braves legend, Chipper Jones, was set to throw out the first pitch of Game 1 at Turner Field last week to kick off the NL playoffs but instead of a great moment, the pitch turned to awkwardness.  According to the New York Post, Jones appeared on the Braves’ flagship station, 680 The Fan, earlier in the day last Thursday and predicted that the Dodgers, not the Braves, would advance to the NLCS in four games.

As a sign of protest, the Post reports, no Braves player volunteered to be the catcher for Jones’ traditional first pitch toss.  So rather than throw it to a current player standing in as a catcher behind home plate, Jones had to throw it to the Braves’ mascot.

Was this a sign of protest from the current Braves players?  I don’t think we will ever know but ball players have more superstitions than any other athletes.  In any case, Chipper was never afraid to speak his mind and rarely strayed away from his opinion.  Instead of the Braves “protesting” Chipper’s pick to advance, the team had the chance to prove him wrong.

As you can see in the video, it doesn’t look like any Braves clap when he throws the pitch nor come out of the dugout to shake his hand after the pitch.

The Braves organization should have known Chipper is on their side, he has cheered openly for them the entire 2013 season and he has been a lifelong Brave.  A few days after this all occurred, Chipper went back to Twitter to tell his fans and Braves Nation how he truly felt.