Chipper Jones is one of the most popular players in Atlanta Braves franchise history and one of the most nationally recognized professional athletes of all time.

Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones Jr. was born in a small town in central Florida where he was exposed to baseball from a very early age. The son of a high school baseball coach, he would go out to practices with his father from the time he was three years old. Jones attended the prestigious Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida for his final three years of high school before being selected by the Atlanta Braves at the age of 18 and forgoing his college comittment to the University of Miami. After spending the next three years advancing through Atlanta's farm system, Jones made his major league debut with the club in September of 1993, coming up with two hits in his three official at-bats

Jones was the first overall pick in the 1990 major league draft and spent his entire professional career with the Braves. In 19 years with the big-league team, he helped Atlanta reach the playoffs 14 times, including three World Series appearances and the 1995 world championship. He was also an eight-time All-Star selection before retiring after the 2012 season and is considered a likely first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee when he becomes eligible in 2017 years. On June 28, 2013, Jones' number 10 jersey will be retired by the Braves and he will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame.

Jones was named National League MVP in 1999, won the NL battling title in 2008 and was a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner for third basemen. He is MLB's career RBI leader for third basemen (1,623), holds the Braves' team record for career on-base percentage (.402) and is third on the franchise's all-time home run list (468). He ranks second all-time for most RBIs for a switch-hitter, behind only Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, and is the only switch hitter in MLB history to have a .300-plus career batting average (.303) and 400-plus home runs. He also is one of only two switch hitters in history to hit better than .300 from both sides of the plate.

Since his retirement, Jones' celebrity status has elevated as a sports icon and sought after individual for key notes and special appearances. Jones recently attended his first Masters golf tournament, played at exclusive Augusta National and was grand marshal of the Nascar race at Talladega Superspeedway. He has also addressed numerous audiences as a speaker on college campuses, banquets, and charity events.

As a speaker Jones communicates to his audience how he targeted a career as a big league ballplayer in his youth and maintained his focus to make it happen. His struggles in handling money and fame as a young adult led him to become a better man because admitting to mistakes and positively moving forward builds respect from others as well as self-respect. The ride was not always smooth for Jones, although it ended with 468 home runs and a .303 career batting average.

Chipper Jones is a firm believer in charity and using his gifts and public image to help the community. His foundation, the Chipper Jones Family Foundation, was started in 2005 and has made huge strides in giving back to the community. The foundation has given to organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Little League programs, and the Boys and Girls Club. Chipper has served as chairman to various committees and has personally donated thousands of dollars to the campaign on behalf of the foundation. Each year, the Chipper Jones Foundation hosts a Celebrity Golf Invitational that has grossed over $1 million since 2006.

Also an avid hunter, Jones was a co-owner of Outdoor Channel's hunting show "Buck Commander" along with reality TV star Willie Robertson of "Duck Dynasty."

Baseball, Charity Georgia,