Chipper Jones: Atlanta Braves Star to Retire After 2012 Season

According to a report on MLB.com, future Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones will retire at season's end.

Jones, who has been the face of the Atlanta Braves franchise for the past decade or so, has been considering hanging it up over the past few seasons, but continued to battle back from injury.

After dispelling retirement talks just last week when he said he was "kidding around" about quitting the sport, Jones has apparently decided he will be finished as a player no later than the conclusion of the 2012 campaign.  

As one of the most prolific switch-hitters of all time, and the Braves' leader in career home runs, Jones has occupied a large portion of the team's payroll for some time now.  

It's not clear if Chipper would remain with the organization in some capacity beyond 2012, but his tutelage to young hitters would likely be welcome by Atlanta.   

A press conference is surely forthcoming, but has yet to be set.  

Stay tuned.