Say It Ain't So, Chipper Jones

After winning the 2008 National League batting title, Chipper Jones has shaved 100 points off his batting average, which has him contemplating retirement. Kinda sad.

The 37-year-old Atlanta Braves hot corner hit a career-best .364 last year, marking his third straight season batting over .320. This year however, Chipper's numbers have plummeted to .269 since June 9th, where his average peaked at .335. So is it just poor mechanics or another nagging injury ruining his groove?

Jones winced in obvious pain after striking out as a pinch-hitter Wednesday night against the New York Mets, aggravating his strained left groin muscle. He is considered day-to-day at this point.

The career .308 hitter signed a three-year, $42-million contract extension back in March that will run through 2012, but he says he might just hang up his cleats if he can’t find his sweet swing again.

"If I back up this year with the same kind of year next year, I don’t want to play the game,” he said. "The game is not fun to me when I’m not playing up to my standards."

He's right though. Everyone knows it's not fun to suck at something. Besides, maybe it's time he finally settles down and lives happily ever after with me.

[Braves] | [MLB Rumors] | [Sabernomics] | [Deadspin]