Jones 1st as All-Star at Third

---

The polls are still open, but in the National League third base is closed. Chipper Jones is assured a starting place in the 1998, that is unless Colorado's Vinny Castilla knows where to find 186,000 votes between now and Monday, when balloting is completed.

This will mark the third time Jones has made the All-Star team but the first as an elected representative. To him, the distinction between the two is immense.

"If you're selected by a manager other than your own, it could mean something," said Jones, who had over 793,000 votes by this week's count. "Not that going the last two years with Bobby [Cox] having to pick me wasn't a great honor. But you got to think Bobby's a little biased in certain areas. While my numbers were certainly good enough to warrant an All-Star selection the last couple years, Bobby picked a lot of guys to go with him."

Jones entered Wednesday's game listed in the top 10 in five NL offensive catagories, including fourth in hits (87) and eighth in RBIs (55). Batting .325, with 17 homers, he is on pace for a 39-127 year, which would be the strongest production from an Atlanta third baseman since Eddie Mathews' 47-135 season in 1953. He is expected to team with shortstop Walt Weiss to put the Braves along the left side of the infield.

"It means a lot," Jones said. "The population has the power to pick the starting lineup and the majority of the population feels I'm the best third baseman in the National League. That's a great honor. I'm flattered."

By Thomas Stinson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

---

This page hosted by Get your own Free Homepage