Henry l aaron biography

American baseball player (1934–2021)

"Henry Aaron" redirects here. For the economist, see Henry J. Aaron.

Baseball player

Hank Aaron
Aaron with excellence Atlanta Braves in 1974
Right fielder
Born:(1934-02-05)February 5, 1934 Mobile, River, U.S.
Died: January 22, 2021(2021-01-22) (aged 86) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
April 13, 1954, for the Milwaukee Braves
October 3, 1976, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Batting average	.305
Hits	3,771
Home runs	755
Runs batted in	2,297
Stats rot Baseball Reference
MLB records 2,297 pursuit runs batted in 6,856 career whole bases 1,477 career extra-base hits
Induction	1982
Vote	97.8% (first ballot)

Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021), nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", was an American professional baseballright fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1954 through 1976.

Reasoned one of the greatest sport players in history, he drained 21 seasons with the Metropolis / Atlanta Braves in illustriousness National League (NL) and flash seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League (AL). At the time of ruler retirement, Aaron held most outline the game's key career power-hitting records. He broke the enduring MLB record for career people runs held by Babe Melancholy and remained the career chairman for 33 years, until Barry Bonds surpassed his famous total number of 755 in 2007.

Explicit hit 24 or more spiteful runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is companionship of only two players equal hit 30 or more territory runs in a season finish equal least fifteen times.^[1]

Aaron holds primacy MLB records for the well-nigh career runs batted in (RBIs) (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases (6,856).

Priest is also third all-time take to mean career hits (3,771) and ordinal in runs scored (2,174). Grace is one of only match up players to have at smallest amount 17 seasons with 150 courage more hits. Aaron's ability whilst a hitter can be clear by his still having carry out 3,000 hits even without supplement any of his home runs.^[2] He was an NL All-Star for 20 seasons and erior AL All-Star for one bout, and he holds the cloakanddagger for the most All-Star selections (25),^[a] while sharing the copy for most All-Star Games afflicted (24) with Willie Mays impressive Stan Musial.

He was a-ok three-time Gold Glove winner, with in 1957, he won goodness NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award when the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series.^[1]

Aaron was born and raised in take around Mobile, Alabama, one admit eight children. He appeared in a word in the Negro American Federation and in minor league ballgame before starting his major combine career.^[4] By his final MLB season, Aaron was the set on former Negro league baseball theatrical on a major league listing.

During his time in Important League Baseball, and especially all along his run for the fine run record, Aaron and crown family endured extensive racist threats.^[5] His experiences fueled his activism during the civil rights movement.^[6]

Aaron was inducted into the Genealogical Baseball Hall of Fame thwart his first year of accomplishment in 1982 and Wisconsin Lusty Hall of Fame in 1988.

In 1999, MLB introduced righteousness Hank Aaron Award to declare the top offensive players seep in each league. That same crop, he was one of 30 baseball players elected to greatness Major League Baseball All-Century Order. He was awarded the Statesmanly Medal of Freedom in 2002. After his retirement, Aaron taken aloof front office roles with interpretation Atlanta Braves, including the known vice president.

He resided nigh on Atlanta until his death instruction 2021.^[7]

Early life

Aaron was born surprise Mobile, Alabama, to Herbert Ballplayer Sr. and Estella (Pritchett) Ballplayer. He had seven siblings.^[8]Tommie Ballplayer, one of his brothers, as well went on to play Vital League Baseball.

By the at an earlier time Aaron retired, he and crown brother held the record rationalize most career home runs uninviting a pair of siblings (768).^[9]

While he was born in trig section of Mobile referred restrain as "Down the Bay", soil spent most of his pubescence in Toulminville. Aaron grew hurtle in a poor family.^[8] Sovereign family could not afford sport equipment, so he practiced gross hitting bottle caps with power.

He would create his mindless bats and balls out grip materials he found on picture streets.^[10] His boyhood idol was baseball star Jackie Robinson.^[11] Ballplayer attended Central High School thanks to a freshman and a sophomore.^[b] Like most high schools, they did not have organized ball, so he played outfield countryside third base for the Transportable Black Bears, a semipro team.^[14] Aaron was a member attention to detail the Boy Scouts of Usa.

Although he batted cross-handed (as a right-handed hitter, with realm left hand above his right), Aaron established himself as deft power hitter. As a liquid, in 1949, at the race of 15, Aaron had empress first tryout with an MLB franchise, the Brooklyn Dodgers; quieten, he did not make justness team.^[15] After this, Aaron joint to school to finish surmount secondary education, attending the Josephine Allen Institute, a private giant school in Alabama.

During climax junior year, Aaron joined position Prichard Athletics, an independent Jet league team,^[16] followed by loftiness Mobile Black Bears, another unrestrained Negro league team.^[8] While bring to a halt the Bears, Aaron earned $3 per game ($40 today), which was a dollar more best he got while on decency Athletics.^[15]

Professional career

Negro and minor leagues

On November 20, 1951, baseball check out Ed Scott signed Aaron relate to a contract on behalf be a witness the Indianapolis Clowns of depiction Negro American League, where operate played for three months.^[17]

He afoot play as a 6 ft (180 cm), 180 lb (82 kg) shortstop, and attained $200 per month.^[18] As a- result of his standout evolve with the Indianapolis Clowns, Priest received two offers from MLB teams via telegram, one steer clear of the New York Giants allow the other from the Beantown Braves.

Years later, Aaron remembered:

I had the Giants' responsibility in my hand. But honesty Braves offered fifty dollars neat as a pin month more. That's the single thing that kept Willie Ballplayer and me from being teammates – fifty dollars.^[19]

While with the Clowns he experienced racism.

Of precise time his team was encompass Washington, D.C. Aaron recalled:

We had breakfast while we were waiting for the rain constitute stop, and I can take time out envision sitting with the Clowns in a restaurant behind Filmmaker Stadium and hearing them become known all the plates in rank kitchen after we finished dangerous.

What a horrible sound. Uniform as a kid, the wit of it hit me: present-day we were in the essentials in the land of boundary and equality, and they esoteric to destroy the plates renounce had touched the forks dump had been in the mouths of black men. If scurry had eaten off those plates, they'd have washed them.^[20]

The Inventor Sports Bureau credits Aaron give way a .366 batting average do 26 official Negro league mirth, with five home runs, 33 runs batted in (RBIs), 41 hits, and nine stolen bases.^[21]

The Braves purchased Aaron's contract non-native the Clowns for $10,000,^[22] which GM John Quinn thought was a steal, as he suspected that he felt that Ballplayer was a $100,000 property.^[18] Tenderness June 12, 1952, Aaron fullstrength with Braves' scout Dewey Griggs.^[18] During this time, he preference up the nickname "pork chops" because it "was the thing I knew to reform off the menu".^[23] A collaborator later said, "the man bigger pork chops three meals dinky day, two for breakfast".^[24]

The Braves assigned Aaron to the Eau Claire Bears, the Braves' Arctic LeagueClass-Cfarm team.^[8] The 1952 interval proved to be very mild for Aaron.

Playing in grandeur infield, Aaron continued to build up as a ballplayer and grateful the Northern League's All-Star team.^[8] He broke his habit worm your way in hitting cross-handed and adopted rendering standard hitting technique. By probity end of the season, illegal had performed so well turn this way the league made him loftiness unanimous choice for Rookie take up the Year.^[8] Although he emerged in just 87 games, prohibited scored 89 runs, had 116 hits, nine home runs, charge 61 RBI.^[8] In addition, Ballplayer hit for a .336 batten average.^[8] During his minor alliance experience, he was very longing and faced constant racism, however his brother, Herbert Jr., pick up him not to give thread the opportunity.

In 1953, say publicly Braves promoted him to blue blood the gentry Jacksonville Braves, their Class-A connect in the South Atlantic League.^[8] Helped by Aaron's performance, authority Braves won the league aid that year. Aaron led birth league in runs (115), hits (208), doubles (36), RBIs (125), total bases (338), and stuffing average (.362).^[8] He won high-mindedness league's Most Valuable Player Award,^[8][14] and had such a obligatory year that one sportswriter was prompted to say, "Henry Priest led the league in the entirety except hotel accommodations."^[25] Aaron's lifetime with the Braves did need come without problems.

He was one of the first Mortal Americans to play in goodness league.^[26] The 1950s were capital period of racial segregation dense parts of the United States, especially the southeastern portion chief the country. When Aaron travelled around Jacksonville, Florida, and magnanimity surrounding areas, he was many a time separated from his team as of Jim Crow laws.

Pigs most circumstances, the team was responsible for arranging housing dowel meals for its players, on the contrary Aaron often had to get done his own arrangements.^[27] The Braves' manager, Ben Geraghty, tried fillet best to help Aaron hypnotize and off the field. Previous Braves minor league player take precedence sportswriter Pat Jordan said, "Aaron gave [Geraghty] much of probity credit for his own fleet rise to stardom."^[28]

That same assemblage, Aaron met his future mate, Barbara Lucas.

The night they met, Lucas decided to tend the Braves' game. Aaron singled, doubled, and hit a dwellingplace run in the game. Finely tuned October 6, Aaron and Screenwriter married.^[29] In 1958, Aaron's her indoors noted that during the off-season he liked "to sit illustrious watch those shooting westerns".

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Unquestionable also enjoyed cooking and fishing.^[29]

Aaron spent the winter of 1953 playing in Puerto Rico. Mickey Owen, the team's manager, helped Aaron with his batting significance. Until then, Aaron had bump into most pitches to left specialism or center field, but rearguard working with Owen, Aaron was able to hit the sudden more effectively all over justness field.

During his stay hem in Puerto Rico, Owen also helped Aaron transition from second support to the outfield. Aaron confidential not played well at superfluous base, but Owen noted cruise Aaron could catch fly activity and throw them well breakout the outfield to the infield.^[30]

The stint in Puerto Rico too allowed Aaron to avoid make the first move drafted into military service.

Conj albeit the Korean War was put the lid on, people were still being drafted. The Braves were able phizog speak to the draft surface, making the case that Priest could be the player get on the right side of integrate the Southern Association description following season with the Siege Crackers. The board appears border on have been convinced, as Priest was not drafted.^[30]

Milwaukee / Beleaguering Braves (1954–1974)

In 1954, Aaron false spring training with the greater league club.

Although he was on the roster of disloyalty farm club, Milwaukee manager Charley Grimm later stated, "From significance start, he did so excellent I knew we were open to have to carry him."^[18] On March 13, 1954, Metropolis Braves left fielder Bobby Physicist fractured his ankle while slipping into second base during ingenious spring training game.

The following day, Aaron made his pull it off spring training start for goodness Braves major league team, playacting in left field and touch a home run.^[14] This nonchalant Aaron to a major band contract, signed on the last day of spring training, tell off a Braves uniform with interpretation number five.^[31] On April 13, he made his major corresponding person debut and was hitless restore five at-bats against the Metropolis Redlegs.^[32] In the same attempt, Eddie Mathews hit two residence runs, the first of practised record 863 home runs class pair would hit as teammates.

On April 15, Aaron undismayed his first major league fame, a double off St. Gladiator Cardinals pitcher Vic Raschi.^[33][34] Ballplayer hit his first major alliance home run on April 23, also off Raschi.^[8] In 122 games, Aaron batted .280 counterpart 13 home runs before do something suffered a fractured ankle stem September 5.^[1] He then deviating his number to 44, which would turn out to fathom like a "lucky number" demand the slugger.

Aaron would receiving 44 home runs in connect different seasons,^[35] and he trounce his record-breaking 715th career living quarters run off Dodgers pitcher Affecting Downing, who coincidentally also wore number 44.^[36]

At this point, Ballplayer was known to family suggest friends primarily as "Henry". Braves' public relations director Don Davidson, observing Aaron's quiet, reserved form, began referring to him openly as "Hank" in order give explanation suggest more accessibility.

The soubriquet quickly gained currency, but "Henry" continued to be cited over in the media, both from time to time appearing in the same clause, and Aaron would answer promote to either one. During his year, his other well-known nicknames, "Hammerin' Hank" (by teammates) bracket "Bad Henry" (by opposing pitchers) are reported to have arisen.^[37]

While living in Milwaukee, Aaron resided in the Prinz House invoice Historic Brewers Hill.

Considerably closest in his career, Aaron coined "Stone-fingers", which would prove exceptional popular handle for one exhaustive baseball's more colorful characters, depiction famously distance-hitting but defensively challenged first baseman Dick Stuart,^[38] reportedly "delight[ing]" even its recipient.^[39]

Sal Maglie recommended throwing low curveballs walkout Aaron.

"He's going to employ and he'll go after partly anything," Maglie said of illustriousness Braves' slugger. "And he'll give a reduction on almost anything, so you be born with to be careful."^[40]

Prime of king career

Aaron hit .314 with 27 home runs and 106 Tally in 153 games in 1955.

He was named to authority NL All-Star roster for integrity first time; it was birth first of a record 21 All-Star selections and first confiscate a record 25 All-Star Business appearances.^[1] In 1956, Aaron violence .328 and captured the greatest of two NL batting distinctions. He was also named The Sporting News NL Player stand for the Year.

In 1957, Ballplayer won his only NL Player Award, as he had her highness first brush with the threebagger crown. He batted .322, class third, and led the coalition in home runs and runs batted in.^[1] On September 23, 1957, in Milwaukee, Aaron confrontation a two-run walk-off home subject against the St. Louis Cardinals, clinching the pennant for excellence Braves.

After touching home charger he was carried off grandeur field by his teammates. Knock down is as of yet blue blood the gentry only pennant-clinching walk-off home exercise in major league history encompass a non-playoff regular-season game. City went on to win description World Series against the Newborn York Yankees, the defending champions, four games to three.^[8] Ballplayer did his part by intrusion .393 with three homers presentday seven RBIs.

On December 15, 1957, his wife Barbara gave birth to twins.^[29] Two times later, one of the lineage died.^[29] In 1958, Aaron thrash .326 with 30 home runs and 95 RBI in 153 games. He led the Braves to another pennant, but that time they lost a seven-game World Series to the Yankees. Aaron finished third in blue blood the gentry MVP race and he standard his first of three Riches Glove Awards.^[1] During the cotton on several years, Aaron had few of his best games presentday best seasons as a vital league player.

On June 21, 1959, against the San Francisco Giants, he hit three two-run home runs. It was dignity only time in his pursuit that he hit three cloudless runs in a game.^[41][42]

In 1963, Aaron nearly won the triad crown. He led the coalition with 44 home runs talented 130 RBI and finished position in batting average (.319).^[c] Accomplish that season, Aaron became picture third player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single period, and the first player promote to record 40 home runs abide 30 steals in a season.^[1] He again finished third hoax National League MVP voting.^[43] Illustriousness Braves moved from Milwaukee prevent Atlanta after the 1965 bout.

On May 10, 1967, flair hit an inside-the-park home call together against Jim Bunning in City. It was the only inside-the-park home run of his career.^[44] In 1968, Aaron was high-mindedness first Atlanta Braves player sure of yourself hit his 500th career building block run, and in 1970, operate was the first Atlanta Use up to reach 3,000 career hits.^[45]

Home run milestones and 3,000th hit

During his days in Atlanta, Ballplayer reached several milestones; he was only the eighth player shrewd to hit 500 career fair runs, with his 500th reaching against Mike McCormick of magnanimity San Francisco Giants on July 14, 1968—exactly one year back former Milwaukee Braves teammate Eddie Mathews had hit his 500th.^[46] Aaron was, at the while, the second-youngest player to range the milestone.^[d] On July 31, 1969, Aaron hit his 537th home run, passing Mickey Mantle's total; this moved Aaron halt third place on the employment home run list, after Willie Mays and Babe Ruth.

Fall out the end of the 1969 season, Aaron again finished ordinal in the MVP voting.^[47]

In 1970, Aaron reached two more calling milestones. On May 17, Priest collected his 3,000th hit, currency a game against the City Reds, the team against which he played in his prime major-league game.^[48] Aaron established character record for most seasons garner thirty or more home runs in the National League.

Early payment April 27, 1971, Aaron bash his 600th career home dry run, the third major league thespian ever to do so.^[49] Predisposition July 13, Aaron hit regular home run in the All-Star Game (played at Detroit's Someone Stadium) for the first time.^[50] He hit his 40th voters run of the season be realistic the Giants' Jerry Johnson cross your mind August 10, which established well-organized National League record for extremity seasons with 40 or advanced home runs (seven).

At affect 37, he hit a career-high 47 home runs during description season (along with a career-high .669 slugging percentage) and ended third in MVP voting pick up the sixth time.^[1] During greatness strike-shortened season of 1972, Ballplayer tied and then surpassed Willie Mays for second place limit the career home run seam.

Aaron also drove in excellence 2,000th run of his existence and hit a home assemble in the first All-Star distraction played in Atlanta.^[51] As honesty year came to a finalize, Aaron broke Stan Musial's major-league record for total bases (6,134).^[52] He finished the season engage 673 career home runs.^[1]

Breaking Ruth's career home run record

Aaron herself downplayed the "chase" to beat Babe Ruth, while baseball enthusiasts and the national media grew increasingly excited as he compressed in on the 714 duration home runs record.

Aaron established thousands of letters every period during the summer of 1973, including hate mail; he gone up asking a secretary employed for the Braves, Carla Koplin, to help him sort hurry it.^[53]

Aaron (then age 39) go around 40 home runs in 392 at-bats, ending the 1973 period one home run short dig up the record.

He hit make run number 713 on Sept 29, 1973, and with assault day remaining in the interval, many expected him to bind the record. But in potentate final game that year, in concert against the Houston Astros (managed by Leo Durocher, who locked away once roomed with Babe Ruth), he was unable to catch this. After the game, Priest said his only fear was that he might not accommodation to see the 1974 season.^[54]

He was the recipient of swallow up threats and a large group of hate mail during honesty 1973–1974 offseason from people who did not want to scrutinize Aaron break Ruth's nearly hallowed home run record.^[55] The threats extended to those providing assertive press coverage of Aaron.

Pianist Grizzard, then-executive sports editor infer The Atlanta Journal, reported recognition numerous phone calls calling clasp "nigger lovers" for covering Aaron's chase. While preparing the bulky coverage of the home hold on record, Grizzard quietly had diversity obituary written, afraid that Ballplayer might be murdered.^[56]

Sports Illustrated willfully summarized the racist vitriol drift Aaron was forced to endure:

Is this to be honesty year in which Aaron, utter the age of thirty-nine, takes a moon walk above horn of the most hallowed be included records in American sport...?

Celebrate will it be remembered whilst the season in which Priest, the most dignified of athletes, was besieged with hate dispatch and trapped by the cobwebs and goblins that lurk captive baseball's attic?^[57]

At the end show consideration for the 1973 season, Aaron established a plaque from the U.S.

Postal Service for receiving very mail (930,000 pieces) than provincial person excluding politicians. Aaron regular an outpouring of public assist in response to the racism. In August 1973, Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz drew a progression of strips in which Exploring attempts to break Babe Ruth's record, only to be badgered with hate mail.

In ethics strip published August 11, Lucy remarked to Snoopy: "Hank Priest is a great player ... on the contrary you! If you break Kid Ruth's record, it'll be far-out disgrace!" Coincidentally, Snoopy was single one home run short lay into tying the record (and complete the season as such like that which Charlie Brown got picked undertake second base during Snoopy's given name at-bat), and as it dishonourable out, Aaron finished the 1973 season one home run consequently of Ruth.^[58] Babe Ruth's woman, Claire, denounced the racism give orders to declared that her husband would have enthusiastically cheered Aaron's found at the record.^[59] As dignity 1974 season began, Aaron's competition of the record caused uncut small controversy.

The Braves open the season on the obsolete in Cincinnati with a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. Braves management wanted him surrender break the record in Besieging and was therefore going withstand have Aaron sit out illustriousness first three games of primacy season. But Baseball CommissionerBowie Chemist ruled that he had chance on play two games in glory first series.

He played combine out of three and pinioned Babe Ruth's record on Apr 4, 1974, in his eminent at-bat on his first flourish of the season—off Reds thrower Jack Billingham, but did turn on the waterworks hit another home run top the series.^[60]

The Braves returned hear Atlanta, and on April 8, 1974, a crowd of 53,775 people showed up for authority game—a Braves attendance record.

Rendering game was also broadcast nationwide on NBC. In the direction inning, Aaron hit home scamper number 715 off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Al Downing.^[8] Allowing Dodgers outfielder Bill Buckner practically went over the outfield barricade trying to catch it, primacy ball flew into the Braves' bullpen and the First Formal Bank advertisement sign in left-center field, where relief pitcherTom See to caught it.

While cannons were fired in celebration, two institution students sprinted onto the meadow and jogged alongside Aaron particular part of his circuit bypass the bases, temporarily startling him. As the fans cheered hastily, Aaron's parents ran onto influence field as well. Afterwards, Priest remarked how "I never knew my mother could hug like this tight," though he later erudite that Aaron's mother kept smooching him because she was distracted someone could try to offshoot Aaron, and she thought no person would try to shoot him if she was hugging him.

Braves announcer Milo Hamilton, job the game on WSB ghettoblaster, described the scene as Priest broke the record:

Henry Ballplayer, in the second inning, walked and scored. He's sittin' make a purchase of 714. Here's the pitch harsh Downing. Swinging. There's a impel into left-center field. That clump is gonna be-eee ...

Outta here! It's gone! It's 715! There's a new home run defender of all time, and it's Henry Aaron! The fireworks classic going. Henry Aaron is anticipate around third. His teammates especially at home plate. And hearken to this crowd!^[61]

Meanwhile, Dodgers journalist Vin Scully addressed the tribal tension—or apparent lack thereof—in tiara call of the home run:

What a marvelous moment reach baseball; what a marvelous two seconds for Atlanta and the submit of Georgia; what a supernatural moment for the country become calm the world.

A black gentleman is getting a standing on hand in the Deep South tabloid breaking a record of fraudster all-time baseball idol. And occasion is a great moment affection all of us, and addition for Henry Aaron ... And provision the first time in a-one long time, that poker prejudice in Aaron shows the intense strain and relief of what it must have been with regards to to live with for high-mindedness past several months.^[62]

Milwaukee Brewers (1975–1976)

On October 2, 1974, Aaron strike his 733rd home run control his last at-bat as straighten up Braves player.

Aaron commented abaft the game that it was his last time as unmixed player in Atlanta as rulership contract had expired. While noteworthy considered retirement, he said divagate he was willing to go back to baseball for another year.^[63] He had also said digress he would be interested well-off serving as a team's communal manager, someone who would put a label on decisions and not a "house boy".^[64] The Braves offered Priest a position with the crew when he retired, but decency role would be more seep in public relations, rather than only where he could evaluate talent.^[65]

At the end of the ready, Aaron, who had a previous relationship with Brewers owner Fundraiser Selig, requested a trade fulfil Milwaukee.

He was acquired by way of the Milwaukee Brewers for Dave May thirty-one days later hegemony November 2.^[66]Minor league right-handed amphora Roger Alexander was sent make a victim of the Braves to complete representation transaction at the Winter Meetings one month later on Dec 2.^[67] The trade re-united Ballplayer with former teammate Del Crandall, who was now managing nobleness Brewers.^[66] He signed a biennial contract with the Brewers tail $240,000 per year.^[68] Playing have as a feature the American League allowed Priest to serve as a limited hitter rather than play instruct in the field.^[69]

On May 1, 1975, Aaron broke baseball's all-time Run record, previously held by Adversity with 2,213.

That year, appease also played in his first name and 24th All-Star Game (25th All-Star Game selection); he be apt out to Dave Concepción monkey a pinch-hitter in the subordinate inning. This All-Star Game, enjoy the first one he attacked in 1955, was before ingenious home crowd at Milwaukee Colony Stadium.^[70]

Aaron hit his 755th squeeze final home run on July 20, 1976, at Milwaukee Domain Stadium off Dick Drago give evidence the California Angels, which not beautiful as the MLB career spiteful run record for 31 mature until it was broken identical 2007 by Barry Bonds.^[71] Differentiate the course of his annals 23-year career, Aaron had deft batting average of .305 limit 164 hits a season, from way back averaging nearly 33 home runs and 100 RBIs a crop.

He had 100+ RBIs conduct yourself a season 11 times, together with 5 years in a organize between 1959-63.^[1]

Career statistics

Note: All-time MLB leader in category is put back bold.

Sources:^[1][1]

In 17 postseason boisterousness, including 2 World Series (1957, '58) and the 1969 NLCS, Aaron batted a strong .362 (25-for-69) with 11 runs scored, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 16 RBI, 5 walks, on-base percentage of .405, slugging percentage of .710, most important on-base plus slugging percentage systematic 1.116.

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Post-playing career

After the 1976 season, Aaron rejoined the Braves as an executive. On Revered 1, 1982, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall build up Fame, having received votes prototypical 97.8 percent of the ballots, second only to Ty Cobb, who had received votes aver 98.2% of the ballot discern the inaugural 1936 Hall hillock Fame election.^[72] Aaron was confirmation named the Braves' vice conductor and director of player course.

This made him one pounce on the first minorities in Chief League Baseball upper-level management.^[25]

In Dec 1980, Aaron became senior benefit president and assistant to blue blood the gentry Braves' president.^[25] He was nobleness corporate vice president of humanity relations for Turner Broadcasting Tone, a member of the company's board of directors, and interpretation vice president of business step for The Airport Network.^[25] Inconsequentiality January 21, 2007, Major Coalition Baseball announced the sale notice the Atlanta Braves.

In depart announcement, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig also announced that Aaron would be playing a major comport yourself in the management of integrity Braves,^[73] forming programs through higher ranking league baseball that will body the influx of minorities blocking baseball.^[74] Aaron founded the Length Aaron Rookie League program.^[75]

Shortly beforehand the start of the 2002 baseball season, Aaron joined San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds—on the heels of his record-shattering performance the season before—to regard a television commercial that immediately during Super Bowl XXXVI, mud which Aaron jokingly tried halt persuade Bonds to retire formerly breaking the record.^[76]

As Bonds began to close in on say publicly record during the 2007 edible, Aaron let it be important that, although he recognized Bonds' achievements, he would not suit present when Bonds broke blue blood the gentry record.^[77] There was considerable surmise that this was a snubbing of Bonds based on illustriousness widespread belief that Bonds difficult to understand used performance-enhancing drugs and steroids to aid his achievement.

But, some observers looked back defeat Aaron's personal history, pointing forfeit that he had downplayed tiara own breaking of Babe Ruth's all-time record and suggesting Priest was simply treating Bonds get the message a similar fashion. In trig later interview with Atlanta sportscasting personality Chris Dimino, Aaron straightforward it clear his reluctance serve attend any celebration of elegant new home run record was based upon his personal availability that baseball is not bother breaking records, but simply discharge to the best of one's potential.^[77] After Bonds hit emperor record-breaking 756th home run friendship August 7, 2007, Aaron vigorous a surprise appearance on honesty JumboTron video screen at AT&T Park in San Francisco compulsion congratulate Bonds on his accomplishment:

I would like to hold out my congratulations to Barry Gyves on becoming baseball's career straightforward run leader.

It is regular great accomplishment that required talent, longevity, and determination. Throughout class past century, the home relations has held a special receive in baseball and I maintain been privileged to hold that record for 33 of those years. I move over having an important effect and offer my best hand down to Barry and his kinsfolk on this historical achievement.

Disheartened hope today, as it was on that April evening take delivery of 1974, is that the attainment of this record will galvanize others to chase their unmarried dreams.^[78]

Aaron's autobiography, I Had Dinky Hammer, co-written with the support of writer Lonnie Wheeler, was published in 1990 and was a finalist for the Casey Award.

The book's title appreciation a play on his epithet, "The Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", and the title of representation folk song "If I Esoteric a Hammer". Aaron owned Volute Aaron BMW of south Besieging in Union City, Georgia, situation he included an autographed ball with every car sold.^[79] Ballplayer also owned Mini, Land Itinerant, Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda dealerships throughout Georgia, as part lay into the Hank Aaron Automotive Load.

Aaron sold all but rank Toyota dealership in McDonough modern 2007. Additionally, Aaron owned simple chain of 30 restaurants preserve the country.

Personal life

Aaron's foremost marriage was to Barbara Filmmaker in 1953. They had fivesome children: Gary, Lary, Dorinda, Gaile, and Hank Jr.

He divorced Barbara in 1971 and united Billye Suber Williams on Nov 13, 1973. Aaron adopted Billye's daughter, Ceci, from her be foremost marriage to civil rights crusader Samuel Woodrow Williams.^[80]

Despite being undeceitful and professionally known as "Hank," Aaron preferred to go vulgar his given name, "Henry."^[81] Greatness former name came around as Don Davidson, the public sponsorship director for the Milwaukee Braves, began to refer to him as such in an realignment to make the quiet, soft-spoken player seem more accessible loom the fans and the press.^[4]

Aaron's great–nephew, Kimani Vidal, was preferred by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL draft.^[82]

Religion

Born and raised a Baptist,^[83] Ballplayer converted to Catholicism in 1959 at age 25, together become accustomed his family.

He and queen wife first became interested weight the faith after the dawn of their first child, whom they baptized immediately.^[84] A amity with a priest later helped lead to Hank and queen wife's conversion. Aaron was herald to frequently read Thomas à Kempis' 15th-century book The Representation of Christ, which he unbroken in his locker.^[85]

In an meeting in 1991, Aaron credited dignity priest, Fr.

Michael Sablica, congregate helping him grow as spick person in the 1950s. "He taught me what life was all about. But he was more than just a idealistic friend of mine, he was a friend because he talked as if he was distant a priest sometimes." Active operate the civil rights movement, dignity priest encouraged Aaron to print more publicly vocal about causes he believed in.^[86]

Sablica also pleased him to "attend Mass at times Sunday" during Spring Training, fall prey to which he responded with justness racist realities of the day: "[In Bradenton], they won't gatehouse me go to Mass."^[87] Sablica said in an interview focus he wouldn't have blamed Ballplayer if he stopped practicing.^[86] Priest indeed attended Friendship Baptist Religion toward the end of ruler life, noting in his diary that he didn't remain topping practicing Catholic for very hold up after converting.^[88]

Hobbies and health

Aaron was a long-time fan of significance Cleveland Browns, having attended indefinite games in disguise in their "Dawg Pound" seating section.^[89]

In 1986, Hank Aaron made a boarder appearance in "Just Another On god\'s green earth in the Crowd", episode 30 of Crazy Like a Fox.

In 1994, Aaron and monarch wife established the Chasing decency Dream Foundation which awarded primacy Hank Aaron Chasing The Daze Scholarship to members of loftiness Boys & Girls Clubs wink America.^[90]

Aaron lived in the Beleaguering area.^[91] In July 2013, transport reported that his home was burglarized with jewelry and four BMW vehicles having been taken.

The cars were later recovered.^[91]

Aaron suffered from arthritis and abstruse a partial hip replacement make sure of a fall in 2014.^[92]

On Jan 5, 2021, Aaron publicly standard a COVID-19 vaccination with honourableness Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at nobleness Morehouse School of Medicine utilize Atlanta, Georgia.^[93] He and very many other African American public canvass, including activist Joe Beasley, Saint Young, and Louis Sullivan, frank so to demonstrate the refuge of the vaccine and justify other black Americans to enact the same.^[94][95]

Death

Aaron died in climax sleep in his Atlanta robust on January 22, 2021, nail the age of 86.^[96][97] Authority manner of death was programmed as natural causes.^[98]

His funeral was held on January 27 consider the Friendship Baptist Church.

In the midst of the attendees were former Headman Bill Clinton, former baseball nuncio Bud Selig, and former Besieging mayor Andrew Young.^[99] After magnanimity funeral, Aaron's body was pushing up the daisies at South-View Cemetery in Atlanta.^[100]

Tributes

Upon Aaron's death, the sports pretend expressed their condolences to him.

Many current or former athletes and team owners such sort MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Wizardry Johnson, David Ortiz, Dusty Baker, Eduardo Pérez, Mike Trout, extra Baseball Hall of Fame boss Jane Forbes Clark paid acclamation to him.^[101][102] Fans paid burgeon to Aaron by placing develop in front of the rural area run wall where he knock his 715th home run at the same height the former site of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and in mask of his statue at Truist Park.^[103]

Politicians also paid tribute snip him.

The Mayor of Beleaguering, Keisha Lance Bottoms released honourableness following statement on his death:

"Derek, our family and Funny join the nation in dissemination heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Billye Aaron, the beautiful wife go along with Henry "Hank" Aaron for basically 50 years, and the thorough family.

This is a life-threatening loss for the entire infect of Atlanta. While the terra knew him as ‘Hammering Piece Aaron’ because of his beyond belief, record-setting baseball career, he was a cornerstone of our regional, graciously and freely joining Wife. Aaron in giving their impose and resources toward making sketch city a better place.

In the same way an adopted son of Besieging, Mr. Aaron was part come close to the fabric that helped fall into line Atlanta on the world abuse. Our gratitude, thoughts and prayers are with the Aaron family."^[104]

Georgia governor Brian Kemp ordered flags in the state of Sakartvelo to be lowered half-staff scheduled honor of him.^[105][106]

U.S.

President Joe Biden paid tribute to Ballplayer by releasing a statement occupation him "an American hero".^[107][108] Sand also received tributes from supplier presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Politician, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.^[109]

The Atlanta Braves honored Volute Aaron during the 2021 interval by including his jersey digit 44 on the back produce the team caps along release Phil Niekro's jersey number, 35 (who died one month hitherto in December 2020).

They as well painted 44 in the midfield at Truist Park.^[110]

At Game 3 of the 2021 World Heap in Truist Park, a pregame ceremony was held honoring Priest where his son Hank Ballplayer Jr. threw out a rite first pitch.^[111][112] After the Braves won the 2021 World Suite, Aaron was honored in grandeur design of the team's Universe Series championship ring, which includes 755 total diamonds to memorialize Aaron's career home runs, beginning 44 emerald-cut diamonds to put Aaron's jersey number with honourableness Braves.^[113]

Awards and honors

In 1982, Priest was inducted into the Ballgame Hall of Fame during king first year of eligibility.^[72]

Aaron was awarded the Spingarn Medal amusement 1976, from the NAACP.^[114] Fall 1977, Aaron received the Inhabitant Academy of Achievement's Golden Reduce Award.^[115] In 1988, Aaron was inducted into the Wisconsin Energetic Hall of Fame for time spent on the Eau Claire Bears, Milwaukee Braves, unacceptable Milwaukee Brewers.^[116]

In 1999, Major Coalition Baseball created the Hank Ballplayer Award, to commemorate the Ordinal anniversary of Aaron's surpassing longedfor Babe Ruth's career home original mark of 714 home runs and to honor Aaron's donations to baseball.^[117] The award attempt given annually to the ball hitters voted the most disorder in each respective league.

Thrill 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Aaron on his itemize of 100 Greatest African Americans.^[118]

When the city of Atlanta was converting Centennial Olympic Stadium put away a new baseball stadium, repeat local residents hoped the amphitheatre would be named for Ballplayer. When the stadium was otherwise named Turner Field (after Siege Braves owner Ted Turner), keen section of Capitol Avenue sway past the stadium was renamed Hank Aaron Drive.

The stadium's street number is 755, associate Aaron's total number of territory runs; the 755 street broadcast was retained for Turner Field's replacement, Truist Park. In Apr 1997, a new baseball expertise for the AA Mobile Call Bears constructed in Aaron's hometown of Mobile, Alabama was dubbed Hank Aaron Stadium.^[119]Georgia State Origination acquired Turner Field and has since rebuilt it as Interior Parc Stadium, in 2017, subject university officials plan to assemble a new baseball park deed the former Atlanta–Fulton County Stage site, incorporating the left grassland wall where Aaron hit wreath record-breaking home run.^[120]

On February 5, 1999, at his 65th banquet celebration, Major League Baseball proclaimed the introduction of the Coil Aaron Award.^[121] The award honors the best overall offensive artiste in the American and Governmental League.

It was the leading major award to be exotic in more than thirty lifetime and had the distinction waning being the first award dubbed after a player who was still alive.^[122] Later that yr, he ranked fifth on The Sporting News' list of depiction 100 Greatest Baseball Players,^[123] extort was elected to the Main League Baseball All-Century Team.^[124]

In June 2000, Tufts University awarded Ballplayer an honorary Doctor of Accepted Service.^[125] In July 2000 dispatch again in July 2002, Ballplayer threw out the ceremonial foremost pitch at the Major Band Baseball All-Star Game, played guard Turner Field and Miller Pleasure garden now named American Family Grassland, respectively.^[126]

On January 8, 2001, Priest was presented with the Statesmanlike Citizens Medal by President Price Clinton.^[127] He received the Statesmanly Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from The man George W.

Bush in June 2002.^[128] In 2001, a inactive trail in Milwaukee connecting Inhabitant Family Field with Lake Cards along the Menomonee River was dedicated as the Hank Ballplayer State Trail. Aaron attended authority dedication. Aaron was on honesty Board of Selectors of President Awards for Public Service.^[129]

In 2002, Aaron was honored with say publicly "Lombardi Award of Excellence" deseed the Vince Lombardi Cancer Stanchion.

The award was created lambast honor Vince Lombardi's legacy see is awarded annually to interrupt individual who exemplifies the description of the coach.^[130]

Aaron dedicated integrity new exhibit "Hank Aaron: Etching the Dream" at the Sport Hall of Fame on Apr 25, 2009.^[131] Statues of Ballplayer stand outside the front entr‚e of both Turner Field bid American Family Field.

There equitable also a statue of him as an 18-year-old shortstop elsewhere Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he played empress first season in the Braves' minor league system.^[132]

He was titled a 2010 Georgia Trustee from one side to the ot the Georgia Historical Society, beginning conjunction with the Governor cosy up Georgia, to recognize accomplishments add-on community service that reflect justness ideals of the founding entity of Trustees, which governed picture Georgia colony from 1732 appeal 1752.^[133]

In 2011, the President carry-on Princeton UniversityShirley M.

Tilghman awarded an honorary Doctor of Field degree to Aaron.^[134][135]

In November 2015, Aaron was one of honesty five inaugural recipients of goodness Portrait of a Nation Affection, an award granted by rectitude National Portrait Gallery in appreciation of "exemplary achievements in representation fields of civil rights, precipitous, entertainment, science, and sports."^[136][137]

In Jan 2016, Aaron received the Culminate of the Rising Sun, Fortune Rays with Rosette from Akihito, the Emperor of Japan.^[138]

The Fashionable Development Invitational, a youth sport tournament organized by the Older League Baseball and the MLB Players Association to increase difference in the sport, was renamed the Hank Aaron Invitational unmixed the 2019 season.^[139]

After Aaron's destruction, the Atlanta Falcons of position NFL and Atlanta United very last MLS retired his No.

44 for the 2021 season (the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA had already retired No. 44 for Pete Maravich).^[140] Additionally, Gwinnett County minor league baseball teams, the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers (2021 season) and Double-A Atlanta Gladiators (2021–22 season), also temporarily give up work No. 44 in Aaron's deify, as did the Braves' further minor league affiliates.^[141]

In April 2021, the Forrest Hill Academy was renamed the Hank Aaron In mint condition Beginnings Academy.

The alternative excessive school had been named back Nathan Bedford Forrest, a popular in the Confederate Army significant the Ku Klux Klan's lid Grand Wizard.^[142]

In 2022, a put on video of the WSB broadcast additional the April 8, 1974, Braves–Dodgers game in which Aaron cuff his 715th home run was selected by the Library brake Congress for preservation in prestige National Recording Registry.^[143] In Haw of the same year, Tulane University gave Aaron a posthumous honorary degree of Doctor sharing Humane Letters, the first posthumous honorary degree ever awarded spawn the university.

It was nip during the university's unified creation ceremony and was accepted go on his behalf by his woman Billye.^[144][145]

On July 31, 2024 USPS released stamp honoring Aaron.^[146]

See also

Notes

References