Atlanta Braves players snubbed Chipper Jones because he picked Los Angeles Dodgers?

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 /

Prior to Game 1 of the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, former Braves star Chipper Jones threw out the first pitch – an honor to thank him Jones for his years of service, if you will.

But unlike most first pitches, Jones didn’t throw it to a current player. He didn’t even throw it to a coach. He threw it to the mascot, which everybody thought was a bit strange.

Oddity aside, there was nothing behind it, right? Not so fast. According to the New York Post, players on the Braves refused to catch Jones’ first pitch because he had picked the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the series on a radio appearance earlier in the day:

"Evidently, Braves players were not happy Jones had gone on the radio earlier in the day with the team’s flagship station, 680 The Fan, and predicted the Dodgers would win the NLDS in four games. So no player volunteered to catch the pitch."

Jones seemed a little irritated that nobody would come out to catch the ball on Twitter after the game:

"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! Nor will it EVER happen again!"

The Dodgers beat the Braves in the NLDS, three games to one.

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