Mets Honor a Longtime Rival, Who Returns the Love

The NY Times. ^ | September 7, 2012 | KEN BELSON

[Pharmboy]

Chipper Jones said he was asked the other day how he would feel about himself if he were a Mets fan.

[Pharmboy]

Mets ping...

[ez]

Mets fan since 1967 here. Nice to see some in sports still conduct themselves with class.

[Admin Moderator]

Please do not post images from sources on the Copyright (complaint) list.

[Pharmboy]

I am sorry for this...I try and stay within the rules, but how come sometimes the NY Times photos are allowed, and sometimes not? I knew about Getty Images...I will check the Copyright list.

[Pharmboy]

The photos that were removed showed Chipper acknowledging a standing O from the Mets fans and one of the Mets owners, Wilpon, giving Chipper a special painting of Shea Stadium with Chipper’s stats included.

[Admin Moderator]

Images from the NYT are not allowed. If you see one, click ‘Report Abuse,’ and let a Mod know.

[Pharmboy]

Also removed from my Comment #1 (aside from the NY Post photo) was my statement that although I have been a Mets fan for my whole life and watched Chipper kill us repeatedly over the years, I was glad for my team to show such class even in an awful baseball year for them.

[Admin Moderator]

Do you want to repost the thread without the images? Please click ‘Report Abuse’ if so.

[Pharmboy]

Well, I’m confused as to why you just didn’t remove the offending photos and leave what was within the rules (the under 300 word excerpt and my words in comment#1) there in the first place. You just should have removed the entire thing since it is so decimated now it is worthless. I’ve only been here since ‘98, but someday I’ll get the hang of this.

[Ransomed]

R.A. Dickey = Cy Young fav in my book. Been great for Mets last two years, this year unreal. 80mph knucklers in the strike zone. When he is on, just sick. Saw Dickey vs the swinging O’s one hitter, couldn’t believe what I was seeing the ball do. Will watch any game RA pitches, and I’m not a mets fan.
Chipper = 1st round Hall of Fame, going out on a fantastic year, hasn’t happened too often. Classy of the Mets.

Freegards

[Alberta's Child]

I never liked Chipper Jones and I never liked the Mets, but this is one of those sports stories that kind of transcends individuals and team identities. Jones spent his career beating up on the Mets on the field, but never had a bad thing to say about them off the field even when Mets fans heaped tons of abuse on him. In fact, he often went out of his way to point out that he'd feel the same way if he were a Mets fan. That's what a passionate sports fan is all about.

One of former Yankee heroes, Don Mattingly, was the same way -- and he really stood out for it. In his later years, long after his chronic back injuries tarnished what would surely have been a Hall of Fame career, he would be treated very well by opposing players and fans all over the league. In a biographical video that was produced by the YES Sports Network after he retired, one of his former managers described how time seemed to stand still when Mattingly was at the plate in batting practice before a game ... with opposing players and coaches crowded around the cage to watch his magical swing, and fans (even in ballparks on the road) crowded into the lower seats to get a glimpse of him.

It's enough to make even a hardened sports fan emotional. This is what baseball is all about.

[Admin Moderator]

Because the FR excerpting software is brutal. Frankly, it is easier for a thread to be pulled and be reposted, instead of a Mod performing "surgery."

And the 300 word limit applies to articles longer than 600 words. Shorter articles must be excerpted to 50%. Just for everyone's information.

[Conan the Librarian]

I AM a Braves fan and a Chipper fan too.

I think Chipper must like NY thought. He did name his first son Shea. :)

[Pharmboy]

Thanks...I did not know that.

[montag813]

Jones spent his career beating up on the Mets on the field, but never had a bad thing to say about them off the field even when Mets fans heaped tons of abuse on him

In fact, Chipper named his first son Shea, after Shea Stadium, where he hit more HRs than any other opposing player.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Howdy Pharmboy...long time no see..

Very classy move by the mets...both the org and the fans.

Knowing you mets/giants fans like I do...I expected no less.

Speakin of the giants...y’all coming to the dome this season I see.(I DETEST THE FREAKIN DOME btw)...Good luck with that ;)..lol

[Churchillspirit]

Yes, very classy of The Mets.

Well done, Chipper....may you enjoy your retirement.

From an Angels' fan.

[Pharmboy]

Growing up as a 10 y/o in Brooklyn, my buds and me used to take the subway to Ebbets Field and see the Dodgers a year before they moved. We would get there a few hours before the game and wait for the players to park nose-in against the stadium. They would sign autographs (we would bring our baseball cards and programs) and sometimes give us balls. Furillo, Hodges, Amoros, Gilliam and the big star, Duke Snider were all terrific, as were several other players. Never saw Robinson or Koufax up close, though.

We would almost always sit on the first base side so we could be close to Kluszewski or Musial when the Redlegs or Cards came to town. It was there that I first learned of the NY fans' ability to respect other players...we loved both Klu and Stosh. I am glad to see that kind of respect for talented, decent ballplayers continue.

I'm sure this happens in other cities (I would guess, though, NOT in Philadelphia). Can any of you tell me if that happens elsewhere?

[Vigilantcitizen]

I know that every stadium Chipper has played his last game in has payed tribute.

I attend a bunch of games at Turner field every year....I know the lower deck fans appreciate good players on the other side.