Selected outtakes from our Chipper Jones oral history

• Joeff Davis
• Photo outtake from Chipper Jones story

In case you haven't seen it yet, Chipper Jones is on this week's CL cover. You can read the full 22-person oral history here, which goes into detail about the life and times of the Braves legend as his career comes to an end. In putting together that story, it was safe to say that there was an abundance of content that we simply couldn't fit into the oral history. Many of these individuals spoke about other parts of Jones' story — like his love for hunting or his relationship with the media. We wanted to share those as well, so here are 10 additional quotes from that didn't quite make it to print.

B.B. Abbott on Jones as a high school baseball player:

I think he learned how to act more mature. He learned how to play the game the right way before people of his age group. Not to mention that his dad was a tremendous baseball guy. He really allowed him to see how he should act on the field — in between the lines. His mom was a professional equestrian. I think from a mental standpoint, she brought that toughness to him that he needed. As an eighth or ninth grader playing with some seniors, you can imagine some of the talent he had on the athletic field. But by the time he got to be in the 10th, 11th, and obviously the 12th grade, you saw him really mature as a person and become more of the person that he is today. Especially his senior year, he really came of age. For the first time he was "the guy." He was "the guy" on the field.

Jim Powell on Jones' hitting talents:

I do think if he had tried to hit 700 home runs, he probably could’ve approached it. His batting average would’ve suffered. If he decided he would’ve gotten 3000 hits, I have no doubt he would’ve gotten them. Here is at 40 years old, and people want to throw fastballs by him because he’s so old he can’t possibly catch up to them. His brain has become — his experience and his baseball intelligence have kept his bat from looking slow. Whatever he decides he’s going to do on the baseball field, he just does.

If he decided he wanted to play until he was 45, I bet you he could find a way to be productive, but the fact that he’s chosen to go out on top the way he has... . we always say that about every athlete. When Joe Montana is out there, you say “why is he out there? Why didn’t he just walk away?” That’s easier said than done, there’s a reason why nobody walks away on top. It’s hard to walk away when you can still play such a great game that you’ve dedicated your life too. He’s done that too, a Hall of Famer in that regard too. He’s one of the few guys that’s announced before the season so the fan could really enjoy it. He’s walking away from the game when he can still play and still on top. That’s just another part of his legend.