Chipper Jones knows a thing or two about the Braves’ rivalry with the Mets.
Who better to learn the Atlanta Braves‘ rivalry with the New York Mets than from Chipper Jones?
The National Baseball Hall of Fame third basemen is one of the greatest switch-hitters in MLB history, starring in Atlanta from 1993 to 2012. After a few years thoroughly enjoying retirement, Jones will embark on a new career as an on-air baseball analyst with ESPN. He’ll call nationally televised games alongside Jon “Boog” Sciambi. Their first assignment: Braves at Mets on July 24.
This is significant for a ton of reasons. Since baseball’s realignment to six divisions from four, the Braves and Mets have become bitter rivals in the new NL East. The rivalry was at its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jones was a noted Met killer in his baseball hall of fame career so much that he named one of his sons after the former ballpark where the Mets played in Flushing.
Having Chipper Jones in the booth will add exciting wrinkles to telecasts.
While Jones may not be as captivating on a nationally-televised game like Alex Rodriguez is or be as polished as his former hall of fame teammate John Smoltz is for FOX, he will add something in the booth on any game he calls this summer. Pairing him with Sciambi, who briefly worked for the Braves, makes the move all the more likely it’s going to work.
In short, Jones seems to be next in a long line of former Braves to have success as on-air analysts. Smoltz is in the No. 1 chair for FOX for a reason alongside Joe Buck. While Tom Glavine has been more reserved on Braves telecasts, Jeff Francoeur’s rise of late has really made for quite the tandem with Chip Caray on FOX Sports South.
Let’s not overlook Jones is technically replacing his former teammate in David Ross, who now manages the Chicago Cubs. Again, Atlanta is proving to be a hot bed for on-air baseball talent. It’s a testament to the many excellent broadcasters who have covered the Braves during their last 30 years or relevancy. Jones will flourish in this new role, especially calling NL East games for ESPN.
ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball will be getting a cerebral former superstar, who also isn’t afraid to let it rip on air. Not only is ESPN getting one of the most accomplished ball players of his generation, as Jones did seemingly everything in Atlanta short of winning a Gold Glove, his personality is ideal to help get the most out of any television broadcast. This will work big time.
Anytime Jones calls a Braves vs. Mets game for ESPN, it will be a must-watch television event.