Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. . [89], Despite being publicly and professionally known as "Hank," Aaron preferred to go by his given name, "Henry. As an adopted son of Atlanta, Mr. Aaron was part of the fabric that helped place Atlanta on the world stage. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season. A young Craig Sager actually interviewed Aaron between third and home for a television station, WXLT (now WWSB-Channel 40) in Sarasota. [11] On September 23, 1957, in Milwaukee, Aaron hit a two-run walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals, clinching the pennant for the Braves. A few weeks later, his three home runs in the World Series helped his team triumph over the heavily favored New York Yankees. [102][103][104], His funeral was held on January 27, followed by his burial at South-View Cemetery. On May 1, 1975, Aaron broke baseball's all-time RBI record, previously held by Ruth with 2,213. That record would stand until 2007 when Barry Bonds . Aaron lived in the Atlanta area. Hank Aaron wore this jersey when he hit his 715th home run on April 8, 1974. [92] A friendship with a Roman Catholic priest later helped lead to Hank and his wife's conversion. [54] Aaron established the record for most seasons with thirty or more home runs in the National League. . The award was created to honor Vince Lombardi's legacy and is awarded annually to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the coach. While he was born in a section of Mobile referred to as "Down the Bay", he spent most of his youth in Toulminville. [141][142], In November 2015, Aaron was one of the five inaugural recipients of the Portrait of a Nation Prize, an award granted by the National Portrait Gallery in recognition of "exemplary achievements in the fields of civil rights, business, entertainment, science, and sports. Two score and seven years ago, the great Hank Aaron delivered one of the most iconic moments American sports and baseball history. During his time in Major League Baseball, and especially during his run for the home run record, Aaron and his family endured extensive racist threats. When the stadium was instead named Turner Field (after Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner), a section of Capitol Avenue running past the stadium was renamed Hank Aaron Drive. Actually, the Buddhist tradition that celebrates his birthday on April 8 originally placed his birth in the 11th read more, On April 8, 1944, Russian forces led by Marshal Fyodor Tolbukhin attack the German army in an attempt to win back Crimea, in the southern Ukraine, occupied by the Axis power. [25] Aaron received an outpouring of public support in response to the bigotry. [129] Later that year, he ranked fifth on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players,[130] and was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. 755", "Bonds Hits No. At the end of the 1969 season, Aaron again finished third in the MVP voting. Aaron was born and raised in and around Mobile, Alabama. He would create his own bats and balls out of materials he found on the streets. Another fun one: Aaron started this season at 713 and the Braves opened the season on the road. He was 86 He then changed his number to 44, which would turn out to look like a "lucky number" for the slugger. [19], On November 20, 1951, baseball scout Ed Scott signed Aaron to a contract on behalf of the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League, where he played for three months.[21]. [78], Aaron hit his 755th and final home run on July 20, 1976, at Milwaukee County Stadium off Dick Drago of the California Angels, which stood as the MLB career home run record for 31 years until it was broken in 2007 by Barry Bonds. I resented it, and I still resent it. Number six-hundred forty-nine (649) was hit on June 10, 1972 and it is significant because it passed Willie Mays and made Hank Aaron the all-time home run leader in the National League. Hank Aaron Significant Home Runs. [64] Babe Ruth's widow, Claire Hodgson, denounced the racism and declared that her husband would have enthusiastically cheered Aaron's attempt at the record. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms released the following statement on his death: Derek, our family and I join the nation in sending heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Billye Aaron, the beautiful wife of Henry Hank Aaron for nearly 50 years, and the entire family. Hank Aaron, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, died Friday at age 86. Playing off the intense interest in their perceived rivalry, Aaron and Bonds made a television commercial that aired during Super Bowl XLI, shortly before the start of the 2007 baseball season, in which Aaron jokingly tried to persuade Bonds to retire before breaking the record. Sports Illustrated pointedly summarized the racist vitriol that Aaron was forced to endure: Is this to be the year in which Aaron, at the age of thirty-nine, takes a moon walk above one of the most hallowed individual records in American sport? The night they met, Lucas decided to attend the Braves' game. He and his wife first became interested in the faith after the birth of their first child, whom they baptized immediately. They were also the first siblings to appear in a League Championship Series as teammates.[13]. 02-05-1934 | Aaron is born on a Monday in Mobile, Alabama. He was named a 2010 Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society in recognition of accomplishments that reflect the ideals of Georgia's founders. Yankees outfielder growing golf profile alongside Tiger Wo Daniel Jones needs to see big picture in Giants negotiations, Red-hot Jon Rahm no match for wind-swept Bay Hill: 'F--king hard', The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. Nearly 28 years earlier, the read more, Pirates had not captured a ship sailing under the American flag since the 1820s until April 8, 2009, when the MV Maersk Alabama was hijacked off the coast of Somalia. Hank has 3,771 hits and even at the end of 1973 season (his 20th season) he still had 3,509 hits before breaking Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974. "A grand jury, a tell-all book and a congressional committee have combined to form a major-league needle puncturing baseball's public image" , reported Chris Jenkins of USA Today in 'Players Admit Steroids Changed Baseball' (USA Today, 03/15/2005) Between February 17, 2005 and March 9, 2005 five-hundred . [131], In June 2000 Tufts University awarded Aaron an honorary Doctor of Public Service. The alternative high school had been named after Nathan Bedford Forrest, a general in the Confederate Army and the Ku Klux Klan's first Grand Wizard. Until then, Aaron had hit most pitches to left field or center field, but after working with Owen, Aaron was able to hit the ball more effectively all over the field. In 1988, Aaron was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. It is expected the Gwinnett County professional teams, the AAA Gwinnett Stripers (2021 season) and AA Atlanta Gladiators (202122 season), will also be involved in temporarily retiring Aaron's 44. Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's home run record eleven years ago By Jordan Shusterman August 7, 2018 On August 7, 2007, Barry Bonds punctuated his gradual, if inevitable climb to the top of the all-time home run list with an iconic blast to center field at AT&T Park for career home run No. Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron, the Baseball Hall of Famer who broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record in the face of racism and went on to become a revered ambassador to the game, has died. [11] Tommie Aaron, one of his brothers, also went on to play Major League Baseball. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron homered for the 715th time in the majors, breaking Babe Ruth's all-time record as America reckoned with his astounding achievements as a player and a man. Hank Aaron, who faced down racism as he eclipsed Babe Ruth as baseball's home run king, hitting 755 homers and holding the most celebrated record in sports for more than 30 years, has. Aaron went on to play through the end of the 1976 season, finishing with 755 career home runs, 3,771 hits and 2,297 RBI. Actor: MacGyver. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens werent close in what could be final Hall of Fame chance, If the Yankees lose Aaron Judge, heres how it could happen, Dusty Baker: No debate over true home run king, Aaron Judge hits 62nd home run to break Roger Maris record. In 1957, Aaron won his only NL MVP Award,[11] as he had his first brush with the triple crown. The Dodgers responded in the third by starting with three straight hits: Steve Garvey singled, Bill Russell doubled, and then Downing drove a single into center field, plating Garvey and sending Russell to third. On December 15, 1957, his wife Barbara gave birth to twins. [11] Although he appeared in just 87 games, he scored 89 runs, had 116 hits, nine home runs, and 61 RBIs. 762 (Bonds' final homer . Note that seasons prior to 1876 are not included in single-season marks, but are included in career marks. Statistic Description: Home Runs Hit/Allowed. He led the league with 44 home runs and 130 RBIs and finished third in batting average. [52] Aaron was, at the time, the second-youngest player to reach the milestone. 4/4/74: On Opening Day, Hank Aaron hits his 714th Major League home run, tying Babe Ruth for most home runs in Major League historyCheck out http://MLB.com/v. The Hall of Famer holds a host of records, from the most runs batted in (2,297), the most seasons as an all-star (21) to the most home runs ever (755) . The high-profile incident drew worldwide attention to the problem of piracy, commonly believed to be a thing of read more, On April 8, 1990, 18-year-old Ryan White dies of pneumonia, due to having contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion. [135] In 2001, a recreational trail in Milwaukee connecting American Family Field with Lake Michigan along the Menomonee River was dedicated as the "Hank Aaron State Trail". Aaron played the vast majority of his MLB games in right field, though he appeared at several other infield and outfield positions. A 6-foot, 180-pounder, Aaron broke Babe Ruth's hallowed home run mark on April 8, 1974, slugging his record 715th off . That whole period, I lived like a guy in a fishbowl, swimming from side to side with nowhere to go, watching everybody watch me. We've received your submission. That year, he also played in his last and 24th All-Star Game (25th All-Star Game selection[47]); he lined out to Dave Concepcin as a pinch-hitter in the second inning. [134] He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President George W. Bush in June 2002. [81] Aaron was then named the Braves' vice president and director of player development. Or will it be remembered as the season in which Aaron, the most dignified of athletes, was besieged with hate mail and trapped by the cobwebs and goblins that lurk in baseball's attic? Aaron received thousands of letters every week during the summer of 1973, including hate mail; the Braves ended up hiring a secretary to help him sort through it. Although he was on the roster of its farm club, Milwaukee manager Charley Grimm later stated, "From the start, he did so well I knew we were going to have to carry him. Aaron's record was . All Rights Reserved. Former Braves minor league player and sportswriter Pat Jordan said, "Aaron gave [Geraghty] much of the credit for his own swift rise to stardom. Aaron would finish the season in Atlanta, go back to Milwaukee for two seasons as the Brewers' DH and end his career with 755 home runs. to 483 B.C. The board appears to have been convinced, as Aaron was not drafted. Henry Aaron is coming around third. During his rookie year, his other well-known nicknames, "Hammerin' Hank" (by teammates) and "Bad Henry" (by opposing pitchers) are reported to have arisen. [11] While on the Bears, Aaron earned $3 per game ($30 today), which was a dollar more than he got while on the Athletics. He was 86. [70], On October 2, 1974, Aaron hit his 733rd home run in his last at-bat as a Braves player. Hank Aaron. "He taught me what life was all about. During the strike-shortened season of 1972, Aaron tied and then surpassed Willie Mays for second place on the career home run list. [38] In the same game, Eddie Mathews hit two home runs, the first of a record 863 home runs the pair would hit as teammates. The manner of death was listed as natural causes. Aaron attended the dedication. Google Barry Bonds before and after and tell us thats all moms cooking. He keeps that mail as a reminder. In 1935, Babe Ruth hit his final and 714th home run, a record that would stand for 39 years. [51], During his days in Atlanta, Aaron reached several milestones; he was only the eighth player ever to hit 500 career home runs, with his 500th coming against Mike McCormick of the San Francisco Giants on July 14, 1968exactly one year after former Milwaukee Braves teammate Eddie Mathews had hit his 500th. Although Hammerin Hank specialized in home runs, he was also an extremely dependable batter, and by the end of his career he held baseballs career record for most runs batted in: 2,297. [4] By his final MLB season, Aaron was the last former Negro league baseball player on a major league roster. [122] The award is given annually to the baseball hitters voted the most effective in each respective league. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. He was 86. Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. Aaron grew up in a poor family. Here's the pitch by Downing. This All-Star Game, like the first one he played in 1955, was before a home crowd at Milwaukee County Stadium. My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams.[87]. I kept feeling more and more strongly that I had to break the record not only for myself and for Jackie Robinson and for black people, but also to strike back at the vicious little people who wanted to keep me from doing it. The location of where Hank Aaron's record 755th home run landed has been monumented in Milwaukee. In April 1997, a new baseball facility for the AA Mobile Bay Bears constructed in Aaron's hometown of Mobile, Alabama was named Hank Aaron Stadium. By the end of the season, he had performed so well that the league made him the unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year. Home run number seven-hundred fourteen (714) tied Babe Ruth and seven-hundred fifteen (715) made Hank Aaron the all-time home . After the game, Aaron said his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season. [28] A teammate later said, "the man ate pork chops three meals a day, two for breakfast". Aaron suffered from arthritis and had a partial hip replacement after a fall in 2014. 4/8/74: Vin Scully calls Hank Aaron's milestone home run as he passes Babe Ruth for the most career home runs when he slugs his 715th homerCheck out http://m. [133], On January 8, 2001, Aaron was presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton. Politicians also paid tribute to him. In the joy of the moment, the months of threats and insults were forgotten. [74] Playing in the American League would allow Aaron to serve as a designated hitter rather than play in the field. During the 1936 season, Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees terrorized the Cleveland Indians by slamming fourteen home runs against the club a Major League record for most home runs against the same team in a season. But the Braves offered fifty dollars a month more. Babe Ruth ended his career with 2,873 hits after 22 seasons. He divorced Barbara in 1971 and married Billye Suber Williams on November 13, 1973. On June 21, 1959, against the San Francisco Giants, he hit three two-run home runs. That's the only thing that kept Willie Mays and me from being teammates fifty dollars.[24]. Although he batted cross-handed (as a right-handed hitter, with his left hand above his right), Aaron established himself as a power hitter. Sure, Aaron led the National League (NL) four times, he also was a two-time batting champion and led the league in RBIs four times and runs scored three times. But for Aaron, the journey to 715 home runs was much more complex. 11-20-1951 | Aaron is signed by scout Ed Scott to play for the Indianapolis Clowns. 06-14-1952 | Aaron is signed by Boston Braves as a slick fielding second baseman and wins the Northern .
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