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Who Was Hank Aaron?
Hank Aaron, born into humble beginnings in Mobile, Alabama, emerged from the ranks of the Negro Leagues to become an enduring symbol of excellence in Major League Baseball. Over the course of his 23-year career, primarily spent as an outfielder for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, Aaron set numerous records, including an unparalleled career total of 755 home runs. His remarkable achievements earned him induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, and in 1999, Major League Baseball established the Hank Aaron Award to honor the top hitters in each league annually.
Early Life
Henry Louis Aaron was born on February 5, 1934, in a modest Black neighborhood of Mobile, Alabama, known as “Down the Bay.” He was the third of eight children born to Estella and Herbert Aaron, who supported the family through his work as a tavern owner and a dry dock boilermaker’s assistant. When Aaron was eight, the family moved to the more affluent Toulminville neighborhood, where he developed a passion for baseball and football. Prioritizing sports over academics, Aaron attended Central High School, a segregated institution in Mobile, during his freshman and sophomore years, excelling in both baseball and football as a shortstop and third baseman.
In his junior year, he transferred to the Josephine Allen Institute, a neighboring private school with an organized baseball program, furthering his athletic pursuits.
Negro and Minor Leagues
In late 1951, at the age of 18, Aaron left school to join the Negro American League’s Indianapolis Clowns. Although his time there was brief, he made a significant impact by hitting .366 and leading the team to victory in the league’s 1952 World Series. Aaron became the last player to transition from the Negro Leagues to Major League Baseball after signing with the Milwaukee Braves for $10,000. He was assigned to the Class C Eau Claire Bears, where he distinguished himself by earning the Northern League Rookie of the Year title in 1952. Aaron continued to showcase his talent with the Class A Jacksonville Braves in 1953, where he recorded an impressive 208 hits, 22 home runs, and a .362 batting average.
Major League Career
Aaron made his Major League debut in 1954 at the age of 20, seizing an opportunity created by a spring training injury to another Braves outfielder. He had a solid rookie season, hitting .280 with 13 home runs. The following year, Aaron showcased his potential, combining power and run production with a batting average that would characterize his illustrious career. In 1956, he won his first batting title, and in 1957, he achieved National League MVP honors while coming close to winning the Triple Crown with 44 home runs, 132 RBIs, and a .322 batting average.
Aaron’s clutch performance in 1957 included a pivotal 11th-inning home run that secured the Braves’ place in the World Series, where they triumphed over the New York Yankees in seven games.
Despite the absence of multi-million dollar contracts during his era, Aaron’s earnings grew significantly, reaching approximately $30,000 annually by 1959, which he matched in endorsements. Recognizing the financial potential of power hitting, he noted, “I noticed that they never had a show called ‘Singles Derby.'”
Throughout the following decade and a half, Aaron maintained remarkable consistency, averaging 30 to 40 home runs each season. At 39 years old in 1973, he hit 40 home runs, bringing his career total to 713, just one shy of Babe Ruth’s legendary record. The following year, after tying Ruth’s mark on Opening Day, Aaron hit his historic 715th home run on April 8, 1974, against Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This milestone moment was celebrated by over 50,000 fans, including his parents, who were there to witness the achievement.
After concluding the 1974 season with 20 additional home runs, Aaron returned to his roots in Milwaukee, joining the Brewers to take advantage of the newly implemented designated hitter rule. He played two more seasons, retiring after the 1976 season.
Encountering Racism
As Aaron approached the monumental milestone of home run No. 714, his pursuit of Ruth’s record exposed the deep-seated racial tensions within the sport. His journey was marred by an influx of letters—up to 3,000 per day—sent to the Braves’ offices. While many correspondences congratulated him, a significant number expressed outrage at the prospect of a Black man surpassing such a revered record, with death threats among the messages. Despite the hostility, Aaron persevered, remaining resolute in his commitment to advocate for greater representation and opportunities for minorities in baseball. “On the field, Blacks have been able to be super giants,” he remarked. “But, once our playing days are over, this is the end of it and we go back to the back of the bus again.”
Hank Aaron: A Legacy in Baseball
Aaron, affectionately known as “Hammerin’ Hank,” is revered as one of the greatest players in baseball history. Over his illustrious 21-year career as an outfielder for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, followed by two seasons as a designated hitter for the Milwaukee Brewers, he set numerous records, including:
- Runs Batted In: 2,297
- Extra-Base Hits: 1,477
- Total Bases: 6,856
- All-Star Appearances: 25
- Seasons with 30 or More Home Runs: 15 (a record now tied by Alex Rodriguez)
Aaron ranks second all-time in home runs (755), third in hits (3,771), third in games played (3,298), and is tied for fourth in runs scored (2,174) alongside Babe Ruth. Throughout his career, he won two batting titles, led his league in home runs and RBIs four times each, and received three Gold Gloves for fielding excellence.
Hank Aaron Award
In 1999, Major League Baseball established the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top hitter in each league. Initially based on a points system derived from statistics, the award’s selection process later incorporated voting from broadcasters and, subsequently, fans. The inaugural winners were Manny Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs. Alex Rodriguez holds the record for the most Hank Aaron Awards, winning it four times during his tenures with the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.
Ceding the Home Run Record to Barry Bonds
For over three decades, Aaron held the Major League record for career home runs with 755. This record was surpassed by Barry Bonds on August 7, 2007, when Bonds hit his 756th home run at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. Notably absent from the ballpark that evening, Aaron’s absence fueled speculation regarding his acknowledgment of Bonds’ achievement, especially given the latter’s alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. However, Aaron later appeared via a videotaped message on the stadium scoreboard, stating, “I move over now, and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historic achievement.”
Hank Aaron Stadium
Baseball returned to Mobile, Alabama, in April 1997, with the minor league team Mobile BayBears playing against the Birmingham Barons at Hank Aaron Stadium. Affectionately known as “The Hank,” the stadium honors Aaron and other baseball luminaries from Mobile, positioned at the intersection of Satchel Paige Drive and Bolling Brothers Boulevard. Notably, Paige was the first Negro League player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, while Milt and Frank Bolling also achieved success at the sport’s highest level.
Post-Playing Career
Following his retirement, Aaron transitioned to the Atlanta Braves front office, serving as executive vice president and advocating for minority hiring in baseball. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and published his autobiography, I Had a Hammer, eight years later. In 2002, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Despite undergoing hip replacement surgery in 2014, Aaron attended a ceremony in January 2016, where he was awarded the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, in recognition of his relationship with Japanese home run icon Sadaharu Oh and his efforts to foster the shared passion for baseball between the United States and Japan.
Death
Hank Aaron passed away on January 22, 2021, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the world of baseball.