Dusty Baker Said Chipper Jones and Dave Concepcion Belong in the Hall of Fame

Dusty Baker was asked this afternoon if Chipper Jones should be voted into the Hall of Fame.

A surprised Baker stared at the reporter and said," Come on man, is that a tweeter question?"

The Reds honored Jones in a pre-game ceremony by giving him the third base that has been used the entire series.  General manager Walt Jocketty and Reds injured thirdbaseman, Scott Rolen presented Jones, who has been reduced to pinch hitting with a contusion on his left ankle, with the base.

"It is very cool, unique and classy," Jones said earlier this week.

Baker was shocked there is a question about the baseball Hall of Fame, concerning Jones. Baseball Writers of America members with 10 or more years seniority are eligible to vote.  Some newspapers citing conflict of interests are now prohibiting its reporters from voting.  Dave O'Brian of the Atlanta Constitution is one of them.

"What does he have 460 something (459 to date)?" Baker asked.  "A lot of guys in there have less than that. How many RBI does he have 1,500 (1,585)?  How many runs scored, same amount? (very close 1,580). What's his average .304? (it was .304 coming into this season).  This is in the steroid era from a guy who never used them.  That should count for something.  He's been on a number of winning teams.  He fits all the criteria, right, winning teams, MVP, batting champion.  Those are all the other guys in the Hall have and some less. He's switch hitter and a thirdbaseman which is probably the position with the fewest hall of famers."

Jones played his entire career with one team like Barry Larkin and Dave Concepcion.  Larkin will be inducted in July but Concepcion has not been elected after 15 years on the ballot.

Should Concepcion be in the Hall of Fame?

"Yes I do,": Baker said.  "He was a bad boy man.  He was just overshadowed on a great team.  If you take him off that team, that team as good as it was wouldn't have been great.  He was a shortstop and that's a bunch of work.  Then when he learned to hit, he was even more dangerous.  When he came up, he couldn't hit too well. (Concepcion hit .260 his rookie year but .205 and .209 in 71 and 72).  That's my boy.  He got overshadowed later on by Ozzie (Smith).  There were some bad boys at shortstop then, Ozzie, (Gary) Templeton, Larry Bowa.  They had some shortstops in this league. Other than Ozzie all that people see is offense alone."

Offense is all people see now.

"They say guys are ready for the big leagues because he can hit.  If you want to be on a winning team, you can't drive in one and let in two, whether you let them in directly or indirectly (plays that should be outs that go as hits)," Baker said.