CAIRO- Plans are well underway for the 12th Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club “A Diamond Affair” fundraising event. This year’s event will feature Hall of Fame legend – Chipper Jones, who was the #1 overall pick in 1990 to the Atlanta Braves. Presented by JTEKT, the JRBGC encourages the public to join them in an awesome night of celebration.

In 1995, Jones was the Braves’ starting third baseman and hit out of the No. 3 hole for a club that won the World Series title. Four years later, Jones won the National League Most Valuable Player Award after hitting a career-high 45 home runs.

During the regular season, Jones seemed to improve with age – winning his first batting title at the age of 36 in 2008 when he hit .364 while also leading the NL in on-base percentage with a mark of .470. At the end of his 19 years in the big leagues – all with the Braves – Jones had totaled 2,726 hits, 468 home runs and more walks (1,512) than strikeouts (1,409). He was named to eight All-Star Games and finished in the Top 10 of the NL MVP voting five times.His 468 home runs are the most ever by a National League switch hitter.

Jones played a total of 2,499 games, all for Atlanta, before retiring in 2012.

When he retired, Jones’ 1,623 RBI were the most of any player whose primary position was third base.

He was elected into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2018 after a stellar career, including winning a World Series ring.

The excitement of having Jones as the keynote speaker for the Diamond Affair is not lost on the staff at the JRBGC.

“Well, it has been a dream of ours for a couple years now. I am glad that it has finally come to pass,” said Executive Director Stephen Francis. “Having the Atlanta Braves bring the Championship Trophy Tour to our Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club a couple of years ago was just unbelievable for our community and now Chipper is coming to also support our mission. It just takes my breath away.”

The Diamond Affair will be held on Jackie Robinson’s birthday, January 31, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Grady County Cultural Center. For information on sponsorship packages, including an exclusive package available by phone only, please contact the Jackie Robinson Boys & Girls Club at (229) 378-3099 or email Francis at sfrancis@mnw-bgc.org. Space is limited for this once in a lifetime event in Cairo, Ga. so act fast before tickets sell out.