Each year, an MLB Hall of Famer is selected to serve as the Honorary Chairman of the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game. The Honorary Chairman works to raise awareness for the Game and its charitable cause towards the research and treatment of cancer. The Chairman also serves as a role model to the selected Aflac All-Americans, sharing insight with the players about his MLB and life experiences.

In 2010, Andre "The Hawk" Dawson was chosen to serve as the Honorary Chairman of the Aflac All-American Baseball Classic. Dawson played the game of baseball with passion, desire and intensity for 20 seasons.  He was known as a well rounded player, with a multitude of talent, who played with unmatched effort.  Dawson’s prolific offensive numbers and playmaking ability in the outfield made him one of the games best.

Dawson was selected late in the 11th round of the 1975 Major League Baseball draft by the Montreal Expos.  A short year later on September 11, 1976, he played his first Major League game, which is a remarkable feat for a player drafted so high.  Although he only played in 24 games that season, he made an impact in centerfield and at the plate.  His contributions in those few games led to an everyday starting position the following season.  Dawson rewarded the Expos for giving him the opportunity by becoming only the second ever NL Rookie of the Year Award winner in franchise history.

“The Hawk” continued his long and illustrious career until his final game in 1996.  Along the way, he recorded many notable statistics and awards.  Offensively, Andre finished his career with 2,774 hits, 438 home runs, 503 doubles, 1,591 RBI’s, scored 1,373 runs and stole 314 bases, which makes him one of only six players to ever hit more than 300 homeruns and steal more than 300 bases.  Defensively, he won eight Gold Glove Awards, led the National League in outfield putouts from 1981-83 and finished his career sixth in National League history in both outfield putouts (5,116) and total chances (5,366).  Dawson was selected to the All-Star team eight times, including five years in a row from 1987-91; he won four Silver Slugger Awards and the 1987 National League MVP Award.

Andre Dawson was a complete player that hit the field running every day.  For his dedication, determination and productivity, he was inducted into Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2010.         

 

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Previous Honorary Chairmen

2003
Stan "The Man" Musial, one of St. Louis' most revered outfielders, served as the Game's first Honorary Chairman in 2003. Sports Illustrated named him its Sportsman of the Year in 1957 and the Sporting News honored him as Sportsman of the Decade for the years between 1946 and 1956. Upon retirement, Musial held 17 Major League, 29 National League and 9 All-Star Game Records; he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on a first-ballot vote in 1969.

2004-2005
In back-to-back years, Cal Ripken, Jr. not only served as Honorary Chairman, but his stadium in Aberdeen, MD played host to the game. Baseball's all-time Iron Man, he retired following the 2001 season after 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. While he holds numerous records, his most notabe one is being oneof only eight players in history to achieve 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. On July 29, 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame – receiving the 3rd highest voting percentage in history and collecting the most votes ever.

2006
Reggie Jackson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993, after a stellar career where he won consecutive World Series Titles with the Oakland A's in the early 70's, as well as with the New York Yankees in the late 70's. A 14-time All-Star member, he also received Silver Slugger Awards, and was named World Series MVP twice. His jersey number has since been retired with by both teams.

2007-2009
In 2007-2009, Ozzie Smith served as Honorary Chairman. Ozzie Smith is known in baseball as "The Wizard" and the best defensive shortstop of all time. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. Ozzie retired from baseball in 1996 after playing 19 years in the major leagues, the first four years with the San Diego Padres and the final fifteen with the St. Louis Cardinals. His nickname describes the way he played shortstop—he performed magic with his glove and performed in the infield with amazing acrobatic agility.