By Justin Worsley
If the Atlanta Braves are going to continue chasing their first division title since 2005, they will have to do so without the face of the franchise. Third baseman Chipper Jones tore the ACL in his left knee while fielding a ball in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Houston Astros. Jones will miss the rest of the season, and possibly even his career.
Before the 2010 campaign began, Jones, 38, announced that he will decide on his playing future after the season ended. A serious knee injury could possibly seal that fate.
Since being selected first-overall in the 1990 MLB Draft, Jones has been the face of the Braves franchise as they chased down 11 consecutive division titles and a World Series championship in 1995. In 1999, Jones was named the league's most valuable player.
This season, Jones has hit .265 with 10 homes runs and 45 RBIs. Since debuting in the MLB with Atlants in 1993, Jones has assaulted the team's record book, placing himself in the top three of nearly every major batting statistic.
Atlanta will split Brooks Conrad and Omar Infante at third base. The Braves hold two-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the division this season.
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