Chipper Jones Farewell Tour

We’ve reached the quarter pole of the Major League Baseball season, and I’ve had the pleasure of taking in each and every one of those games from inside the MLB Fan Cave. Of course, my loyalties lie with the Atlanta Braves and it’s been an especially fun season so far, watching them rise to the top of the National League East. The best part of that has been the play of our veteran third baseman, Larry Wayne Jones, Jr., who you may know best as Chipper.

Since Chipper has announced that he will retire at the end of this season, opposing teams have been honoring him during his final road series in their stadium. I’m sure it was something that never crossed his mind when he made his announcement at the end of Spring Training. But, it’s an extremely classy move on the part of those organizations.

So far the “Chipper Jones Farewell Tour 2012” has made stops in Houston, Arizona, Los Angeles, Colorado, Chicago, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. The Diamondbacks, Dodgers and Rays all played a special tribute video on their big screens accompanied by a PA announcement. Chipper, who owns a game-hunting ranch in Texas, was presented with a Cowboy hat by Craig Biggio in Houston and was given a new camera for his hunting bow by Todd Helton on behalf of the Rockies.

The last three NL Central teams have really begun to raise the bar as far as great gifts are concerned. The Cubs presented Chipper with the Braves flag that once flew on the standings flagpole above Wrigley Field. The Cardinals gave him an autographed Stan Musial jersey as well as a game action photo of himself, signed by current Cardinal players. And in Cincinnati, all three bases had “Celebrating the Career of #10 Chipper Jones” placed on the sides. One of which Chipper will keep, with the Reds and Braves organizations keeping one in their own Halls of Fame.

So now I ask you, what do you think would be a unique and cool gift for your team to present to Chipper on his farewell tour? And for you Marlins, Nationals, Mets and most especially Phillies fans, do you think they should give him anything at all? If so, what would it be?

Leave your response below and Tweet me at @SkippinsYNN and @MLBFanCave and we’ll see what happens when the Chipper Jones Farewell Tour comes to your town.