Chipper's early surge this year followed by his predictable injury has got me thinking about his career.  I've got to admit, last year's huge year (941 OPS, 29 HR) really surprised me.  I thought Chipper was fading into the sunset.  Instead,  Chipper just might be positioning himself at making a run at the Hall. 

What do you think?  A slam dunk HOF candidate, not yet (but on his way), or not a chance? 

Take a look at Chipper’s career numbers (he turns 36 this week, by the way) compared with two HOF 3B and one who will likely end on the outside looking in:

Chipper Jones

2150 hits 392 HR 1317 RBI 134 SB .308 AVG .953 OPS 144 OPS+

George Brett

3154 hits 317 HR 1595 RBI 97 SB .305 AVG .856 OPS 135 OPS+

Mike Schmidt

2234 hits 548 HR 1595 RBI 92 SB .267 AVG .907 OPS 147 OPS+

Mark Grace

2445 hits 173 HR 1146 RBI 70 SB .303 AVG .825 OPS 119 OPS+

It's unlikely Chipper will get the 3,000 hit pass to the HOF.  If he had 4 more years in him and gets 182 hits a year (his career average), he will eclipse 2800 hits.  But with Chipper’s injury problems he only has 117, 106, 133, 173 hits in the last four seasons.  That sort of pace would leave him in the 2500—2600 range. 

His HR rate is in the 500 range, though, which bodes well for him.  Chipper averages 33 bombs a year (more like 26 in the last four years)… so by the end of 4 years he might be knocking on doorstep of 500.

In the end, I think he'll be remembered as a very similar player to Brett (although Brett had superior bat control)) and Schmidt (although Schmidt had more punch).  Furthermore, there hasn't been (as far as I know) any inkling that Chipper was in any way connected to any performance enhancing drugs.

All in all, I think Chipper has a legitimate shot at the hall.  For his sake, I hope he stays healthy and is able to put together these type of numbers.  Hats off to you, Chipper.