Jeff Francoeur on What Makes Chipper Jones One of the Greats

Jeff Francoeur was in Cooperstown this past weekend with a front row seat to see his buddy and former teammate Chipper Jones go into the Hall of Fame. For years as a player, Francoeur had a different up-close vantage point. One that gave the former Braves phenom perspective on what makes Chipper Jones one of the greatest third baseman and switch-hitters of all-time.

Chipper was one of those players who always found a way to come through in a big spot. No, he doesn't have the number of walk-off home runs as fellow Class of 2018 inductee Jim Thome (13), but no matter the situation or enormity of the moment, nothing ever seemed to spook Jones.

I know, most people will refer to the careers of any 1990s and 2000s Braves players with a "yeah, but" because of the one World Series championship out of five trips there and 14 division titles. Don't let that cloud your judgement of the greatness that was Chipper Jones, the face of the franchise for many years and as history will remember him, one of the top 3 switch-hitters ever and easily a top five third baseman.