He again finished third in National League MVP voting. "[31] Aaron's time with the Braves did not come without problems. He had finished 1973 with 713 career home runs, one shy of the all-time record set by Babe Ruth. Research is still ongoing and we'll continue to publish updates as more information becomes available. That's the only thing that kept Willie Mays and me from being teammates fifty dollars.[24]. Aaron got his start playing for. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is one of only two players to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times.[1]. [60], He was the recipient of death threats and a large assortment of hate mail during the 19731974 offseason from people who did not want to see Aaron break Ruth's nearly sacrosanct home run record. Aaron, known as hard working and quiet, was the last Negro league player to also compete in the Major Leagues. [100] He and several other African American public figures, including activist Joe Beasley, Andrew Young, and Louis Sullivan, did so to demonstrate the safety of the vaccine and encourage other black Americans to do the same. [22] On August 1, 1982, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, having received votes on 97.8 percent of the ballots, second only to Ty Cobb, who had received votes on 98.2% of the ballot in the inaugural 1936 Hall of Fame election. Hank Aaron's Accomplishments. With his second wife, he had one child, Ceci. Listen to HISTORY This Week Podcast: More Than a Home Run. The game was also broadcast nationally on NBC. Aaron showed awesome skill when, unaided by pharmaceuticals, he broke Babe Ruths seemingly unbreakable record. Hank Aaron Stats. Aaron resided near Atlanta until his death. Aaron owned Hank Aaron BMW of south Atlanta in Union City, Georgia, where he included an autographed baseball with every car sold. 715 call", "Stuart Ranks Next to Foxx; Sox' 2nd Best Righty Slugger", "This Day in Black Sports History: February 5, 1934", "Hank Aaron explains how he is a fan of the Browns", "Hank Aaron Reunites with Valdosta Man who Followed him onto Field", "Ted Turner, Hank Aaron influenced each other as well as Georgia", "Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Members by Year", Play-by-Play Audio of Aaron's 715th Home Run, Major League Baseball Player of the Month, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hank_Aaron&oldid=1141128927, October 3,1976,for theMilwaukee Brewers, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 14:06. Hank Aaron hits home run No. [94][96], Aaron was a long-time fan of the Cleveland Browns, having attended many games in disguise in their "Dawg Pound" seating section.[97]. This is a considerable loss for the entire city of Atlanta. [11][12] He had seven siblings. [79][80] Over the course of his record-breaking 23-year career, Aaron had a batting average of .305 and 163 hits a season, while averaging just over 32 home runs and 99 RBIs a year. If dogs had eaten off those plates, they'd have washed them. "He taught me what life was all about. [31] He was the corporate vice president of community relations for Turner Broadcasting System, a member of the company's board of directors, and the vice president of business development for The Airport Network. 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]. In that announcement, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig also announced that Aaron would be playing a major role in the management of the Braves,[82] forming programs through major league baseball that will encourage the influx of minorities into baseball. [121] In 1988, Aaron was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame for his time spent on the Eau Claire Bears, Milwaukee Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers. While he was born in a section of Mobile referred to as "Down the Bay", he spent most of his youth in Toulminville. He also enjoyed cooking and fishing. [151] In May of the same year, Tulane University gave Aaron a posthumous honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, the first posthumous honorary degree ever awarded by the university. Aaron holds the MLB records for the most career runs batted in (RBIs) (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases (6,856). I resented it, and I still resent it. On June 21, 1959, against the San Francisco Giants, he hit three two-run home runs. However, as Aaron was an African American who had received death threats and racist hate mail during his pursuit of one of baseballs most distinguished records, the achievement was bittersweet. He went on to become one of baseballs first African American executives, with the Atlanta Braves, and a leading spokesperson for minority hiring. Two score and seven years ago, the great Hank Aaron delivered one of the most iconic moments American sports and baseball history. 756 to Break Aaron's Record", "Midsummer Classics: Celebrating MLB's All-Star Game", "Hank Aaron praises Barry Bonds for home run record", "Craig Sager's backstory more colorful than his clothes", "Police recover both of Hank Aaron's stolen cars after Atlanta home burglarized", "Milo Hamilton made Hank Aaron's homer itself star of No. [124], When the city of Atlanta was converting Centennial Olympic Stadium into a new baseball stadium, many local residents hoped the stadium would be named for Aaron. During his career, Aaron performed at a consistently high level for an extended period of time. By 1969, his chances of breaking the Babe's record were in sight. Getty Images Aaron reportedly received 930,000 pieces of mail in 1973 the year before he broke Ruth's record with enough including threats that the. [53], In 1970, Aaron reached two more career milestones. During the next several years, Aaron had some of his best games and best seasons as a major league player. Politicians also paid tribute to him. He broke the long-standing MLB record for home runs held by Babe Ruth and remained the career leader for 33 years. All that hatred left a deep scar on me. [138] Statues of Aaron stand outside the front entrance of both Turner Field and American Family Field. Newspaper cartoonist Charles Schulz created a series of Peanuts strips printed in August 1973 in which Snoopy attempts to break the Ruth record, only to be besieged with hate mail. A crowd of 53,775 people, the largest in the. While preparing the massive coverage of the home run record, he quietly had an obituary written, afraid that Aaron might be murdered.[62]. The stadium's street number is 755, after Aaron's total number of home runs; the 755 street number was retained for Turner Field's replacement, Truist Park. ", "There was a big catch holding on to No. It is a great accomplishment that required skill, longevity, and determination. Another fun one: Aaron started this season at 713 and the Braves opened the season on the road. In 1935, Babe Ruth hit his final and 714th home run, a record that would stand for 39 years. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. But for Aaron, the journey to 715 home runs was much more complex. MLB, give him back his home run record. Lewis Grizzard, then-executive sports editor of The Atlanta Journal, reported receiving numerous phone calls calling journalists "nigger lovers" for covering Aaron's chase. [72] He had also said that he would be interested in serving as a team's general manager, someone who would make decisions and not a house boy. The moment became an iconic one, with the indelible image of Hank Aaron rounding the bases, being joined by two fans between second and third, and then mobbed by his teammates and family at home plate, after breaking Babe Ruths home run record in 1974. 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. [59], Aaron (then age 39) hit 40 home runs in 392 at-bats, ending the 1973 season one home run short of the record. [18] This led Hank Aaron to a major league contract, signed on the final day of spring training, and a Braves uniform with the number five. [44], Sal Maglie recommended throwing low curveballs to Aaron. [145], On April 14, 2017, Aaron threw out the first pitch at SunTrust Park (now called Truist Park) at 83 years old. 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? 714. [58], Aaron himself downplayed the "chase" to surpass Babe Ruth, while baseball enthusiasts and the national media grew increasingly excited as he closed in on the 714 career home runs record. Active in the civil rights movement, the priest encouraged Aaron to be more publicly vocal about causes he believed in. As an adopted son of Atlanta, Mr. Aaron was part of the fabric that helped place Atlanta on the world stage. [139], He was named a 2010 Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society, in conjunction with the Governor of Georgia, to recognize accomplishments and community service that reflect the ideals of the founding body of Trustees, which governed the Georgia colony from 1732 to 1752. He didnt know what he was taking, he testified, and thought it was all natural. They also painted 44 in the midfield at Truist Park. 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. They were also the first siblings to appear in a League Championship Series as teammates.[13]. Aaron sold all but the Toyota dealership in McDonough in 2007. Aaron was born and raised in and around Mobile, Alabama. 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. While cannons were fired in celebration, two college students [67] sprinted onto the field and jogged alongside Aaron for part of his circuit around the bases, temporarily startling him. The Atlanta Braves great, who smashed Babe Ruth's all-time home run record, died Jan. 22. His closest competition is Hank Aaron who "only" hit home runs in every possible ballpark during nine seasons! Former home run record-holder and Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities during commencement for the class of 2011 at Princeton University, in Princeton . Hank Aaron & Barry Bonds Retirement (2002)", "Hank Aaron, Home Run King Who Defied Racism, Dies at 86", "Famous Religious Conversions Hank Aaron", "Baseball's home run king Hank Aaron fought racism on and off the field", "Hall of Famer Hank Aaron's death unrelated to Covid-19 vaccination", "Health experts urge confidence in vaccine after superstar's death", "Baseball legend Hank Aaron got virus vaccine earlier in January", "Hall of Famer Henry "Hank" Aaron dies at 86", "Hank Aaron, baseball legend and former home run king, dies at 86", "Private funeral service for Hank Aaron announced", "Tributes pour in honoring the legendary Hank Aaron", "Players, celebrities and fans react to the death of baseball legend Hank Aaron", "Gov. (Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) Aaron hit 40 home runs in the 1973 season, bringing his career total to 713, one run short of the record. [122] The award is given annually to the baseball hitters voted the most effective in each respective league. Aaron suffered from arthritis and had a partial hip replacement after a fall in 2014. But the Braves offered fifty dollars a month more. There is also a statue of him as an 18-year-old shortstop outside Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he played his first season in the Braves' minor league system. It is as of yet the only pennant-clinching walk-off home run in major league history in a non-playoff regular-season game. [137], Aaron dedicated the new exhibit "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream" at the Baseball Hall of Fame on April 25, 2009. All Rights Reserved. Aaron lived in the Atlanta area. On December 15, 1957, his wife Barbara gave birth to twins. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. At age 37, he hit a career-high 47 home runs during the season (along with a career-high .669 slugging percentage) and finished third in MVP voting for the sixth time. She curbed the power of Britains labor read more, On April 8, 1935, Congress votes to approve the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a central part of President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal. "[95] Sablica said in an interview that he wouldn't have blamed Aaron if he stopped practicing, and Aaron indeed attended Friendship Baptist Church toward the end of his lifenoting in his autobiography that he didn't remain Catholic for very long after converting. 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. In a later interview with Atlanta sportscasting personality Chris Dimino, Aaron made it clear his reluctance to attend any celebration of a new home run record was based upon his personal conviction that baseball is not about breaking records, but simply playing to the best of one's potential. Aaron finished third in the MVP race and he received his first of three Gold Glove Awards. [116][117] After the Braves won the 2021 World Series, Aaron was honored in the design of the team's World Series championship ring, which includes 755 total diamonds to commemorate Aaron's career home runs, and 44 emerald-cut diamonds to represent Aaron's jersey number with the Braves. As Aaron hammered closer to Ruth's 714 home runs, he . During his junior year, Aaron joined the Prichard Athletics, an independent Negro league team,[20] followed by the Mobile Black Bears, another independent Negro league team. On April 8, 1989, California Angels rookie pitcher Jim Abbott, who was born without a right hand, makes his Major League Baseball debut in a 7-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners. [140], In 2011, the President of Princeton University Shirley M. Tilghman awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Aaron. He led the league with 44 home runs and 130 RBIs and finished third in batting average. He was 86. Aaron broke Ruths record on April 8, 1974 at Atlantas Fulton County Stadium against Al Downing and the Dodgers. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth 's legendary record of 714 homers. Whats that you say? They had five children: Gary, Lary, Dorinda, Gaile, and Hank Jr. I always felt like once I put the uniform on and once I got on the playing field, that I could separate the two an evil letter I got the day before or even 20 minutes before that I could also concentrate on what I had to do as far as trying to watch a fastball, somebody throwing the ball 90 mph, rather than worrying about a letter somebody sent., The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, On this day in history, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner among first members of National Baseball Hall of Fame, The fabled list of Yankees captains Aaron Judge joined, All of Aaron Judges home runs this season, Judges 60th blast sparks comeback as he ties Babe Ruth, now one shy of Roger Maris. During the strike-shortened season of 1972, Aaron tied and then surpassed Willie Mays for second place on the career home run list. [48] He batted .322, placing third, and led the league in home runs and runs batted in. He finished with 755 overall before retiring after the 1976 season. Kemp orders flags to fly at half-staff to honor Hank Aaron", "Georgia Governor Brian Kemp: flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Hank Aaron", "Statement of President Joe Biden on the Passing of Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron", "President Joe Biden calls Hank Aaron 'an American hero', "Atlanta Braves 44: Hank Aaron's number painted on the field", "World Series Game 3: Braves hold emotional tribute to Hank Aaron", "Aaron's spirit lives on in World Series tribute", "Atlanta Braves receive World Series rings featuring 18.71-karat white gold, 755 diamonds and, yes, pearls", "Are These the 4 Most Important Athletes in Atlanta History? The last Negro League player to enter the Majors, Aaron joined the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, and moved with them to Atlanta in 1966. He was a three-time Gold Glove winner, and in 1957, he won the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award when the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series. [37] On April 13, Aaron made his major league debut and was hitless in five at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds' left-hander Joe Nuxhall. "And he'll hit almost anything, so you have to be careful. It's 715! On April 8, he banged out his record 715th home run off Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers.. 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. Braves announcer Milo Hamilton, calling the game on WSB radio, described the scene as Aaron broke the record: Henry Aaron, in the second inning walked and scored. Similarly, the point where Aaron's 715th homer landed, upon breaking Ruth's career record in 1974, is marked in the Turner Field parking lot. Hank Aaron, one of baseball's all-time great home run hitters, has died. [55] As the year came to a close, Aaron broke Stan Musial's major-league record for total bases (6,134),[56] the record he was the most proud of since it reflected his overall performance as a hitter and team player. The nickname quickly gained currency, but "Henry" continued to be cited frequently in the media, both sometimes appearing in the same article, and Aaron would answer to either one. [75] He was acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers for Dave May thirty-one days later on November 2. A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. Where Hank Aaron does stand out is in the total number of hits. His daughter told. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Ken Severson Coincidentally, Snoopy was only one home run short of tying the record (and finished the season as such when Charlie Brown got picked off during Snoopy's last at-bat), and as it turned out, Aaron finished the 1973 season one home run short of Ruth. [136], In 2002, Aaron was honored with the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. [33] The Braves' manager, Ben Geraghty, tried his best to help Aaron on and off the field. [11] During his minor league experience, he was very homesick and faced constant racism, but his brother, Herbert Jr., told him not to give up the opportunity. 2 all-time, died January 22. 756. [29], The Braves assigned Aaron to the Eau Claire Bears, the Braves' Northern League Class-C farm team. His RBI total remains the big league standard for career runs batted in. Here's how Duane Kuiper called the historic moment: Before Bonds, Aaron had held the record since April 8, 1974, when he hit his. He was 86 years old. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who battled racial prejudice and hatred on his way to breaking the major leagues' career home run record, has died at the age of 86, the Atlanta . Aaron was the first player to reach both Hall-worthy batting thresholds of 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. It was the only inside-the-park home run of his career. Bonds broke Mark McGwire's single-season record by hitting 73 in 2001 and while he's no longer such a force,. 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. 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. 02-05-1934 | Aaron is born on a Monday in Mobile, Alabama. He later cited his anti-abortion and anti-homosexual views as motivation for the bombings. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. But Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ruled that he had to play two games in the first series. [105], Upon Aaron's death, the sports world expressed their condolences to him. He's sittin' on 714. [11] Although he appeared in just 87 games, he scored 89 runs, had 116 hits, nine home runs, and 61 RBIs. [71] Aaron commented after the game that it was his last time as a player in Atlanta as his contract had expired. Mickey Owen, the team's manager, helped Aaron with his batting stance. Baseball's all-time home run king, Hank Aaron did more than hit home runs. His teammates are at home plate. CBS 46 and FOX 5 Atlanta were among those that first reported Aaron's death Friday. On April 8, 1974, Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Ruth's record and in doing so, received the undying support of the fans. After finishing his remarkable career with 755 home runs, Aaron later spoke of how he was able to compartmentalize his play on the field and the vitriol he faced off of it. (The NBA's Atlanta Hawks had previously retired No. Baseball legend Hank Aaron, who broke Babe Ruth's career home run record, has died, the Atlanta Braves announced Friday. Aaron spent his 23-year big league career with two organizations. [8] In 1999, The Sporting News ranked Aaron fifth on its list of the "100 Greatest Baseball Players". [85][non-primary source needed] As Bonds began to close in on the record during the 2007 season, Aaron let it be known that, although he recognized Bonds' achievements, he would not be present when Bonds broke the record. A seven-time NL MVP, the 43-year-old Bonds hit his 22nd home run of the year. They were students, just 17 at the time. Meanwhile, Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully addressed the racial tensionor apparent lack thereofin his call of the home run: What a marvelous moment for baseball; what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia; what a marvelous moment for the country and the world. Aaron went 0 for 3 with a pair of strikeouts in Atlanta's 5-3 win over the Reds on April 7. Statistic Description: Home Runs Hit/Allowed. In his last two seasons, he was primarily a designated hitter. [11] Tommie Aaron, one of his brothers, also went on to play Major League Baseball.
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