Chipper comfortable as 'rookie coach'
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Chipper Jones had no trouble looking the part while spending his first day as a guest instructor for the Braves on Sunday afternoon. About an hour before the team workout began, Jones strolled through the home clubhouse wearing his old uniform and handling his fungo bat with the grace of a veteran coach.
After providing Freddie Freeman and others some tips in the batting cages, Jones spent time watching many of the Braves take swings on Field 5 at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex. He spent some time sitting on one of the ball buckets located to the side of the batting cage.
"He's a rookie coach. We've got to bring him along a little bit," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I will address the issue of him sitting on the bucket for two rounds [of batting practice]."
Jones plans to remain with the Braves until returning to Atlanta on Wednesday. Over the next few days, he plans to continue to enjoy time with his new teammates and provide any assistance to hitters who want to benefit from his great knowledge of hitting.
"It's good to have him, and he's welcome any time," Gonzalez said.