Chipper Jones Retirement: Braves Third Baseman Says 2012 Season Will Be His Last

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones announced Thursday that he will retire following the 2012 season.

The 39-year-old switch-hitting legend made the announcement via the Braves’ website adding that a press conference was scheduled for 11:30am EST Thursday.

MLB.com reports that Jones, who has battled knee injuries in recent seasons, has hinted at retirement but now has a timeline.

Earlier this spring, Chipper, whose real name is actually Larry Wayne Jones, hinted at his retirement when he said he was surprised that he was still with the Braves with his milestone 40th birthday coming up in April.

“Never in my mid-20s would I have given myself a snowball’s chance to be in camp and have a job at 40 years old,” Jones told The Associated Press during spring training. “But I like to think I’ve kept myself in pretty good shape over the years. The skills are still there to go out and get it done. I don’t know for how much longer, but we’re gonna ride it as long as we can.”

A day later, he said he was just joking and that he had no plans to call it career during the upcoming season.

Jones, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Braves in the 1990 amateur draft, has spent his entire MLB career with the franchise, including 18 major league seasons.

In 126 games during the 2011 season, Jones hit .275 with 18 homers, 70 RBIs and a .344 on-base percentage. He was selected to his seventh All-Star tam.

As for career numbers, Chipper is batting .340 with 454 home runs, 526 doubles, 1,455 walks and 1,561 RBIs in 2,387 games.

That career batting average ranks second among switch-hitters all-time behind Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch’s .316. His 454 homers rank third all-time among switch-hitters, behind Mantle’s 536 and Eddie Murray’s 504.

Former Braves manager Bobby Cox said Jones should go into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot.

“No doubt,” Cox said. “A switch-hitter who has played on winners and done everything he’s done.”

According to ESPN, the Braves released a statement Thursday that said there is mutual interest in Jones remaining with the organization in some capacity after his retirement as a player.

For more highlights of Chipper Jones’ amazing career, check out the following tribute video created by YouTube user RCVideos24.

via ESPN