Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 12/2

AJC

Braves spring training tickets on sale Monday

"The Braves are doing their part for “Cyber Monday” by putting spring training tickets on sale on their website starting at 10 a.m. Monday morning. The Braves are hosting 17 games at Champion Stadium at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The first game is scheduled for Feb. 26 at 1:05 p.m. against the Detroit Tigers. Fans can purchase tickets at braves.com or by clicking here."

Rant Sports

Garrett Jones A Solid Option For Atlanta Braves

"Jun 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third base coach Rick Sofield (left) greets first baseman Garrett Jones (46) as Jones rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsThis past summer, Jones put up a .233/.289/.419 slash line with just 15 home runs in 440 plate appearances. Even worse, he recorded a career-high 23 percent strikeout rate and managed to scratch out just two hits in 21 at-bats versus southpaws. The poor performance led the Pirates’ front office to make a tough decision last Monday as the franchise designated him for assignment rather than pay the $5-6 million likely headed his way in arbitration.The power potential that Jones brings to the table should be highly sought after on the free agent market. Though he no longer seems best suited as an everyday option for a contending team, the first baseman still has the ability to be a huge asset as one half of a platoon or a big bat off the bench.The Atlanta Braves are a team in dire need of a long-ball threat for their bench this offseason. The 2013 NL East Champions have a daunting lineup intact for next year, but greatly lack punch from the reserves that are currently on the roster. Jones would remedy that ailment.The Braves originally drafted the Illinois native out of high school in the 14th round of the 1999 amateur draft. A reunion could definitely be beneficial for both parties."

Twitter

{Editorial Note: Remember the post below when Chipper had to throw the first pitch to the Braves mascot?  Well Chipper went on twitter last night to wish his old buddy some payback}

Chipper Jones Talks About Playoff Comments” href=”https://tomahawktake.com/2013/10/14/atlanta-braves-legend-chipper-jones-talks-playoff-comments/”>Tomahawk Take

"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. Wanna thank the Braves organization for having me throw out the first pitch to the mascot tonite. Quite sure that’s never been done before!— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) October 4, 2013 Nor will it EVER happen again!— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) October 4, 2013 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."