Chipper Jones’s knee may end his career:

The Atlanta Braves said Thursday that the 38-year-old third baseman tore his anterior cruciate ligament and will need surgery. The estimated recovery time is six months, short enough to be ready for the next opening day — if Jones decides to return in 2011.

He had already said he would consider retirement after a season that’s now ended sooner than expected.

If Chipper’s career is over, he would go out a .300/.400/.500 player, which in my book easily puts him in the Hall of Fame. His runs scored and driven in are very close, something you would expect from a player who both gets on base and hits for power. His high power did not lead to a high strikeout rate, as he walked more than he K’d. He was even a good base stealer, with a career 76% success rate. He was not known for his defense, however, moving to leftfield for a few years so the Braves could get better at the hot corner.