Chipper Jones is content but won't rule out managing Braves

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. - Not only was future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones is something of an unusual setting as guest host of a radio show, the star guest of the day was former Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. Jones, who played his final two MLB seasons for Gonzalez, played the role of co-interviewer.

"A little weird," said Jones. "Awkward, I guess you could say."

Jones was a guest host Friday for The Front Row on 680 the Fan. During Gonzalez' interview, Jones commended him for handling being let go with class and asked the man he still calls "Skipper" about his future plans and favorite memories as a manager.

"I loved the guy, I think put in the right situation he can still do a heck of a job managing a ball club," said Jones. "I don't think anybody really would've been put in this situation and handled it any better."

Jones is in his first year as a special assistant to baseball operations for the Braves. Some wonder if he'll be a manager one day himself; perhaps he'll be a candidate to replace Gonzalez. Jones says that's unlikely, but didn't shut the door completely.

"I would never say never," said Jones. "I'm in a very good place personally, I like my life the way it is now. Quite frankly, I haven't been asked or offered anything. I would say my doors would have to be blown off in order to consider it because I'm happy with the way things are going right now and I'm living life at my own speed. That being said, I lived out of a suitcase for 23 years playing this game and I'd have to get back into that mindset. That would be a difficult one for me to go back to, but I would never say never."

Jones added other candidates mentioned as possibilities for the Braves are all qualified, including current Atlanta coaches Eddie Perez and Terry Pendleton as well as former Brave and current MLB TV analyst Mark DeRosa.