Ballplayer

By: Chipper Jones, Carroll Rogers Walton, Bobby Cox - foreword

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones - one of the greatest switch-hitters in baseball history - shares his remarkable story while capturing the magic nostalgia that sets baseball apart from every other sport.

Before Chipper Jones became an eight-time All-Star who amassed Hall of Fame-worthy statistics during a 19-year career with the Atlanta Braves, he was just a country kid from small-town Pierson, Florida. A kid who grew up playing baseball in the backyard with his dad, dreaming that one day he'd be a major league ballplayer.

With his trademark candor and astonishing recall, Chipper Jones tells the story of his rise to the MLB ranks and what it took to stay with one organization his entire career in an era of booming free agency. His journey begins with learning the art of switch-hitting and takes off after the Braves made him the number one overall pick in the 1990 draft, setting him on course to become the linchpin of their lineup at the height of their 14-straight division-title run.

Ballplayer takes listeners into the clubhouse of the Braves' extraordinary dynasty, from the climax of the World Series championship in 1995 to the last-gasp division win by the 2005 "Baby Braves", all the while sharing pitch-by-pitch dissections of clashes at the plate with some of the all-time great starters, such as Clemens and Johnson, as well as closers such as Wagner and Papelbon. He delves into his relationships with Bobby Cox and his famous Braves brothers - Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, among them - and opponents from Cal Ripken Jr. to Barry Bonds. The National League MVP also opens up about his overnight rise to superstardom and the personal pitfalls that came with fame; his spirited rivalry with the New York Mets; his reflections on baseball in the modern era - outrageous money, steroids, and all; and his special last season in 2012.

Ballplayer immerses us in the best of baseball, as if we're sitting next to Chipper in the dugout on an endless spring day.

©2017 Chipper Jones (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Baseball fans will revel in the anecdotes and behind-the-scenes look at the game." (Booklist)

"Fans will find a clear, readable old-school account of a player who almost certainly will be voted into the Hall of Fame." (Kirkus)

"Jones, one of the best switch hitters in Major League Baseball history…offers an insider’s look into professional baseball." (Publishers Weekly)

Perfect for baseball fans

An inside look at a great career and complicated life. A wonderful behind the curtain look at a Braves icon.

No holds barred look into the life of Chipper

read the book twice and now listening. The only thing I'd change, and it's a lot to ask, is that the entire book was narrated by Chipper. The narration is great I just think it would have been better in his voice.

Made Chipper even more relatable

I never turned my back on him through the issues in his personal life; because he owned up to them. After listening, I not only love him as a player, but respect him as a person.

If you are a Chipper fan...MUST READ

talk about nostalgic!!!! I was a third baseman growing uo and Chipper was always my favorite player. The Braves my favorite team. And to hear about all these stories and moments in my idols life will about bring you to tears on occasions!

Inside perspective of MLB in the 90s

I loved hearing the stories about what is was like playing in MLB in the 90s. The honesty about the monotony and the experiences and insight about other stars of the 90s.

Good book for a Chipper fan

What made the experience of listening to Ballplayer the most enjoyable?

Chipper was a favorite of mine. My daughter wears 10 because of him. Enjoyed hearing about his youth career and parents involvement.

What did you like best about this story?

Many scenes about the game and 1:1 interactions with the HOF pitchers.

Which scene was your favorite?

Glavine's sh!t eatin' grin.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really. A good commuter book.

Any additional comments?

Very revealing. Not living in the area, I wasn't aware of his many wives and women. Sounds like he cares about them all and also loves his sons.

Great book! Great ball player!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ballplayer to be better than the print version?

Since I am blind, I can't answer.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the truthfulness of the story.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the walk off home run the chipper had in his last at bat in Atlanta.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had no extreme reaction to the book.

Any additional comments?

I will state right now, I am a big baseball fan. I am really interested in biographies, and autobiographies of people who have played, and managed in the game. I was really interested in hearing about what a great player Chipper was, and also telling readers in the book that he is human, and that he has made mistakes in his life, and has more than made up for them in my opinion. If you like this book, I have some recommendations for you. I think Pedro, and Franconna: the red sox years, along with the Yankee years, are all great baseball books to read, and listen to.

Great book giving you insight to a ball player everyone loves.

This was a great book with lots of information in it and I am glad that I got it I would have liked to have seen or heard rather chipper Jones read this book himself. It goes into a lot of detail about his feelings and emotions and how much work it is to get to the major leagues.

Great story for all ball fans.

I’ve been a Braves fan since I was old enough to pick up a baseball and this was a great story of Chipper’s ups and downs as well as the Braves’. People aren’t perfect and it was great to see the honesty of Chipper embracing his mistakes and failures on a stage I’m thankful my mistakes aren’t placed upon.

As far as the actual baseball content, this is a phenomenal story. I remember many of the games, individual at-bats, great plays, and playoff runs mentioned. It was a wonderful time of reminiscing the Golden years of my Braves.

Epic

This was a great story showing the vulnerability of a living legend. It shows parts of a world the common person will never experience.