Chipper Jones makes his final All-Star appearance worthwhile as National League wins - MLB Feature
When Chipper Jones delivered the speech before the start of the All-Star game, he meant it. His heart was thrilled with the feelings of becoming victorious. His determination was reflecting in his words. Standing up before the group of All-Stars, he dared
them to make him feel special. He threw a challenge to them that if they can put icing on his cake for a splendid career by winning the ASG.
Yes, they all obliged. It seems his words hit the nail on the head. It seems the bunch of kids (few young first time all-stars, in particular Bryce Harper), sitting in front of him in the room were really moved after what he had said to them. Perhaps, their
passion revitalised and the focus was fixated right on the goal of winning.
No wonder, when they made their way into the game, they burst onto the American Leaguers, bringing them down on their knees right away, while never allowing them to regroup and launch a counter-attack.
It was like a brutal ruler trampling over an offender and beating him to death. It was kind of a force of passion unraveling the American League before they could think of how to react to the onslaught.
Yes, Jones managed to experience what he desired and requested to the players.
Not just this, his entry on the plate was such a glory that multitude of players depart the baseball world without having experienced it ever.
He headed to the plate under the noise of applauds and a standing ovation. The whole of National League club-house got charged up with smiles everywhere as the fans elbowed out their way to watch the historic moments.
Before he headed down to assume the stride for hitting, he took the helmet off and waved it across the stadium as an acknowledgment of the honour. While one can assume that the flow of actions may have displaced his focus, it was not actually the case.
In a legendary display of watching the fastball, he made a beautiful connection. While maintaining the typical grin, he sprinted toward first base.
In the meantime, his team-mates were jubilant. In particular, Bryce Harper was deeply inspired. While the rest of the mates were clapping and keeping up with the noises being raised from the stands, his reaction was peculiar.
Even before Jones had entered the ground, Harper was bracing for something spectacular coming off from him. However, inside his heart he may have thought that at 40 Jones would contend with a mere appearance on plate and just peter out. Similarly, this very
conception may have got him devote emotions and wish that Jones would give a glimpse of his legendary status in his last All-Star game.
It was for the same reason perhaps when he watched Jones being really prolific on plate that he was amazed and was all-praise.
Becoming such a source of inspiration for youngsters must be satisfying for Jones.
The kind of legacy he is leaving must be comforting his mind that at-least he has become a challenge for the youth, one that requires them to maintain greatness for such a long time period in their career.
Certainly, an emerging lot is going to demonstrate something out of the ordinary to come at par with him in terms of showing immense production and enormous dedication on the field.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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