It was the only inside-the-park home run of his career. He's sittin' on 714. 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. The Braves were able to speak to the draft board, making the case that Aaron could be the player to integrate the Southern Association the following season with the Atlanta Crackers. Bonds denied the allegations, then later argued ignorance. He is one of only four players to have at least 17 seasons with 150 or more hits. [11] Helped by Aaron's performance, the Braves won the league championship that year. Lucy says in the August 11 strip, "Hank Aaron is a great player but you! A crowd of 53,775 people, the largest in the history of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, was with Aaron that night to cheer when he hit a 4th inning pitch off the Los Angeles Dodgers Al Downing. On board is astronaut Ellen Ochoa, soon to become the first Hispanic woman in space. [41], At this point, Aaron was known to family and friends primarily as "Henry". The last Negro League player to enter the Majors, Aaron joined the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, and moved with them to Atlanta in 1966. "And he'll hit almost anything, so you have to be careful. [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. That he didnt take human growth hormones, the infamous cream and clear, which turned his Bill Bixby frame into Lou Ferrigno. 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 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. Margaret Thatcher, the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom, dies in London at age 87 from a stroke on April 8, 2013. On January 5, 2021, Aaron publicly received a COVID-19 vaccination with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine[99] at the Morehouse School of Medicine at Atlanta, Georgia. A crowd of 53,775 people, the largest in the. Henry Aaron is coming around third. He was 86. He had finished 1973 with 713 career home runs, one shy of the all-time record set by Babe Ruth. Aaron sold all but the Toyota dealership in McDonough in 2007. 2 all-time, died January 22. [127], On February 5, 1999, at his 65th birthday celebration, Major League Baseball announced the introduction of the Hank Aaron Award. [8], In 1999, major league baseball created the Hank Aaron Award, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Aaron's surpassing of Babe Ruth's career home run mark of 714 home runs and to honor Aaron's contributions to baseball. 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. [134] He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President George W. Bush in June 2002. He was 86 years old. He led the Braves to another pennant, but this time they lost a seven-game World Series to the Yankees. "On April 8, 1974, when Atlanta Braves' Henry 'Hank' Aaron hit his 715th home run to eclipse the record held by Babe Ruth, there was hardly any celebration. He was also named The Sporting News NL Player of the Year. [11] Although he appeared in just 87 games, he scored 89 runs, had 116 hits, nine home runs, and 61 RBIs. [11] In addition, Aaron hit for a .336 batting average. This made him one of the first minorities in Major League Baseball upper-level management. Aaron went 0 for 3 with a pair of strikeouts in Atlanta's 5-3 win over the Reds on April 7. In a statement, the Braves said Aaron died peacefully. In 1974, after tying Ruth on Opening Day in Cincinnati, Ohio, Aaron came home with his team. What a horrible sound. On October 6, Aaron and Lucas married. It was the only time in his career that he hit three home runs in a game. The night they met, Lucas decided to attend the Braves' game. [86] After Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th home run on August 7, 2007, Aaron made a surprise appearance on the JumboTron video screen at AT&T Park in San Francisco to congratulate Bonds on his accomplishment: I would like to offer my congratulations to Barry Bonds on becoming baseball's career home run leader. By the time Aaron retired, he and his brother held the record for most career home runs by a pair of siblings (768). [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. Aaron was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1982, and now works in the front office for the Atlanta Braves. 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. [23] As a result of his standout play with the Indianapolis Clowns, Aaron received two offers from MLB teams via telegram, one from the New York Giants and the other from the Boston Braves. But two other men were enshrined in history with him - Clifford Courtenay and Britt Gaston. [3] Aaron's ability as a hitter can be illustrated by his still having over 3,000 hits even without counting any of his home runs. The award was created to honor Vince Lombardi's legacy and is awarded annually to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the coach. Apart from Aaron's status as the real King of the Dinger, Hammerin' Hank still holds two records that aren't likely to be broken anytime soon. [2] Aaron is also third all-time for career hits (3,771) and fifth in runs scored (2,174). Aaron had seven siblings, including Tommie Aaron, who played major-league baseball with him. [53], In 1970, Aaron reached two more career milestones. The Braves legend, who died Friday at the age of 86, made history while receiving death threats and hate mail on the way to surpassing Ruth in the record books late in his Hall of Fame career, which spanned from 1954-1976. [11] Over the next 122 games, Aaron batted .280 with 13 homers before he suffered a fractured ankle on September 5. home run record and Gerrit Cole broke the Yankees' single-season strikeouts record. Hank Aaron hits home run No. Politicians also paid tribute to him. The Hall of Famer holds a host of records, from the most runs batted in (2,297), the most seasons as an. 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. 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. He could run, too: He retired with 240 career steals and was only the third player,. At the end of the 1969 season, Aaron again finished third in the MVP voting. [81] Aaron was then named the Braves' vice president and director of player development. It is as of yet the only pennant-clinching walk-off home run in major league history in a non-playoff regular-season game. But in his final game that year, playing against the Houston Astros (managed by Leo Durocher, who had once roomed with Babe Ruth), he was unable to achieve this. On July 13, Aaron hit a home run in the All-Star Game (played at Detroit's Tiger Stadium) for the first time. 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. 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. [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". [5] His experiences fueled his activism during the civil rights movement.[6]. He appeared briefly in the Negro American League and in minor league baseball before starting his major league career. [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. Of a time his team was in Washington, D.C. Aaron recalled: We had breakfast while we were waiting for the rain to stop, and I can still envision sitting with the Clowns in a restaurant behind Griffith Stadium and hearing them break all the plates in the kitchen after we finished eating. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruths legendary record of 714 homers. [35] In 1958, Aaron hit .326, with 30 home runs and 95 RBIs. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. Hank Aaron's Accomplishments. [131], In June 2000 Tufts University awarded Aaron an honorary Doctor of Public Service. [48], After the 1976 season, Aaron rejoined the Braves as an executive. He played two out of three and tied Babe Ruth's record on April 4, 1974, in his very first at-bat on his first swing of the seasonoff Reds pitcher Jack Billingham, but did not hit another home run in the series.[66]. [52] Aaron was, at the time, the second-youngest player to reach the milestone. The Braves opened the season on the road in Cincinnati with a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. He was 86. 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. At the end of the season, Aaron, who had a prior relationship with Brewers owner Bud Selig, requested a trade to Milwaukee. 06-14-1952 | Aaron is signed by Boston Braves as a slick fielding second baseman and wins the Northern . On May 17, Aaron collected his 3,000th hit, in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, the team against which he played in his first major-league game. But it was Hammerin' Hank's sweet home run swing for which he was best known. The life and death of Hank Aaron (1934-2021) The Atlanta. Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. Baseball's all-time home run king, Hank Aaron did more than hit home runs. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historical achievement. While he considered retirement, he said that he was willing to return to baseball for another year. Hank Aaron, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, died Friday at age 86. To many baseball fans, it won't matter, Hank Aaron is the home run . We've received your submission. [123] In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Aaron on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans. 11-20-1951 | Aaron is signed by scout Ed Scott to play for the Indianapolis Clowns. He had 100+ RBIs in a season 15 times, including a record of 13 in a row. 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. He was one of the first African Americans to play in the league. During his career, Aaron performed at a consistently high level for an extended period of time. The manner of death was listed as natural causes. On May 1, 1975, Aaron broke baseball's all-time RBI record, previously held by Ruth with 2,213. Hank Aaron, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, died Friday at age 86. Another fun one: Aaron started this season at 713 and the Braves opened the season on the road. Two score and seven years ago, the great Hank Aaron delivered one of the most iconic moments American sports and baseball history. [118], In 1982, Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility. [11][12] He had seven siblings. I resented it, and I still resent it. But Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ruled that he had to play two games in the first series. Aaron eventually scored 2,174 runs, the exact same number as Ruth. [98] In July 2013, media reported that his home was burglarized with jewelry and two BMW vehicles having been stolen. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! He finished the 1973 season with 713 home runs -. Free shipping for many products! [132] In July 2000 and again in July 2002, Aaron threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, played at Turner Field and Miller Park now named American Family Field, respectively. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. [59], Aaron (then age 39) hit 40 home runs in 392 at-bats, ending the 1973 season one home run short of the record. In spite of all of the things that I went through Ive always been able to separate the two, Aaron said in a 2014 interview with CNN. He went on to become one of baseballs first African American executives, with the Atlanta Braves, and a leading spokesperson for minority hiring. After his retirement, Aaron held front office roles with the Atlanta Braves, including the senior vice president. [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]. Aaron played the vast majority of his MLB games in right field, though he appeared at several other infield and outfield positions. After touching home plate he was carried off the field by his teammates. His debut generates a buzz throughout the sports world. Former Braves minor league player and sportswriter Pat Jordan said, "Aaron gave [Geraghty] much of the credit for his own swift rise to stardom. 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, Scully said. Hank Aaron, one of baseball's all-time great home run hitters, has died. In his last two seasons, he was primarily a designated hitter. He added 22 more in 1975 and 1976, finally calling it a career with 755 career home runs. 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. He signed a two-year contract with the Brewers for $240,000 per year. Our gratitude, thoughts and prayers are with the Aaron family. [109], Georgia governor Brian Kemp ordered flags in the state of Georgia to be lowered half-staff in honor of him. 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 finished with 755 overall before retiring after the 1976 season. He hit his 40th home run of the season against the Giants' Jerry Johnson on August 10, which established a National League record for most seasons with 40 or more home runs (seven). The game was also broadcast nationally on NBC. As a result, in 1949, at the age of 15, Aaron had his first tryout with an MLB franchise, the Brooklyn Dodgers; however, he did not make the team. [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. In 1986, Hank Aaron made a guest appearance in "Just Another Fox in the Crowd", episode 30 of Crazy Like a Fox. Formally entitled a read more. He had received many death threats . [11] The 1952 season proved to be very beneficial for Aaron. Aaron would hit 44 home runs in four different seasons,[40] and he hit his record-breaking 715th career home run off Dodgers pitcher Al Downing, who coincidentally also wore number 44. [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.
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