Chipper Jones: One of the last

Chipper Jones announced his intentions to retire at 2012 season's end. And it appears likely he's going out on his own terms, which is the graceful way to do it.

What a player he has turned out to be. He has been there from the very beginning of the Braves dynasty. This was when I was rooting for the Braves only because of their loveable loser mantra they had at the time. Chipper Jones was basically "Plan C" rushed to the big leagues at shortstop because two incumbent shortstops couldn't handle the duty.

But Jones has more than held his own at multiple defensive positions, and was an absolute anchor in Bobby Cox's lineup thru all those years.

Chipper is the last of two eras in my opinion: He is the last vestige of the last great mini-dynasty in baseball (non-Yankee portion). More than a dozen post-season appearances in a row, and Chipper was there for all of them.

But more importantly, Chipper, along with Yankee Derek Jeter, are among the last of the players to spend their entire career with one team. Chipper did not have the fanfare or constant adoration of the baseball public like Jeter has had. And it appeared at times that he was overshadowed by his own teammates (Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine, Avery... names ring a bell?)

But Jones has never been disrespected; he has had his exposure on baseball's grand stage, and rightfully so.

When you ask me to describe Braves Baseball, these names come to mind: Skip (or Chip) Caray, Dale Murphy, Hank Aaron, Rick Mahler. Chipper Jones goes on the absolute top of the list. As much as Tommy Lasorda bled Dodger Blue, Chipper bled Braves Red.

A sure-fire Hall Of Famer for a Hall Of Fame-type person.

Inge can't complain (for two weeks)

There may be no bigger polarizing figure during the baseball season in Detroit than Brandon Inge.

A small vocal group of people say he's saved countless runs and errors by his ability in the field. I have never denied that. Inge came into the Tigers system as a shortstop, and he has been able to transfer those talents to third base (in-between duties behind the plate, of course).

He's been eating hitting coaches alive, however, ever since he came up to the parent club, topped by last year's embarassing .197 average. What drove most people batty (sorry for the pun) is that he opined no one was giving him a chance to succeed.

Well, he is the most seasoned Tigers player, going into his 11th year with the club, and except for maybe 1 1/2 seasons, has never hit well. Inge currently leads the all-time Tiger list in strikeouts, meaning a lot of rallies were short-circuited.

Inge has been willing to try second base in an effort to continue his Tiger career. I give him kudos for that, and have noted that, defensively, he's taken to second base quite well. "If he hits, if he hits," they say.

Now I'm assuming he'll get a chance to redeem himself at third for the next couple weeks, with Miguel Cabrera being held out of the lineup until about Opening Day.

It makes me glad in a way that they kept Inge, and that he elected to stay with the club last year when they demoted him to AAA Toledo. Any hot-shot 3B prospects in camp are not likely to go north with the club come April. So the Tigers now have a 2-week window where it can be business as usual at third base.

And hopefully, no complaints (or pressure) from the incumbent.

Is Dunn primed to win Comeback?

One quick hit about White Sox DH/OF Adam Dunn... which is one more quick hit than he seemed to have last year:

The key to the White Sox chances in the AL Central this year lie with Dunn. I have to believe his .159 batting average of last year was an abberation. He won't hit .300, but the Sox will take that along with the 38-40 homers per year he's used to generating (in other words, I don't think the ballpark played a huge role.)

I have to admit that I like the Tigers dominating the conversation in this division, and they'll likely run away with things. But I believe Chicago to be the second-best team in the division, and if Dunn returns to his old ways... combining him with the always-consistent Paul Konerko and other younger, rising stars... they may make the Central more of a challenge than a foregone conclusion.

Comebacks are just "ducky"

Finally found the old passwords, reactivated the old accounts, and... after a half-decade hiatus, will be posting in these hallowed halls again prior to the conclusion of spring training.

I for one can't wait.