His average was .319, .007 behind the leader. It should have been the most enjoyable time in my life, and instead it was hell. They had five children: Gary, Lary, Dorinda, Gaile, and Hank Jr. [41], At this point, Aaron was known to family and friends primarily as "Henry". The manner of death was listed as natural causes. After the game, Aaron said his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season. Henry Louis Aaron Jr., born in Mobile, Alabama, on February 5, 1934, made his Major League debut in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves, just seven years after Jackie Robinson broke baseballs color barrier and became the first African American to play in the majors. 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). An advocate of nonviolence and conservatism, he pleaded innocent in the highly read more, On April 8, Buddhists celebrate the commemoration of the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, thought to have lived in India from 563 B.C. During the next several years, Aaron had some of his best games and best seasons as a major league player. On October 6, Aaron and Lucas married. 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. [33] The Braves' manager, Ben Geraghty, tried his best to help Aaron on and off the field. He added 22 more in 1975 and 1976, finally calling it a career with 755 career home runs. Years later, Aaron remembered: I had the Giants' contract in my hand. He had been given six months to live in December of 1984 but defied expectations and lived for five more years, during which time his story helped educate the read more, On April 8, 1993, the space shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center. Aaron's autobiography, I Had a Hammer was published in 1990. He was named a 2010 Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society in recognition of accomplishments that reflect the ideals of Georgia's founders. [26], The Braves purchased Aaron's contract from the Clowns for $10,000,[27] which GM John Quinn thought was a steal, as he stated that he felt that Aaron was a $100,000 property. )[149] Also in Atlanta, the Forrest Hill Academy was renamed the Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy in April 2021. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. [63], At the end of the 1973 season, Aaron received a plaque from the U.S. But for Aaron, the journey to 715 home runs was much more complex. [127], On February 5, 1999, at his 65th birthday celebration, Major League Baseball announced the introduction of the Hank Aaron Award. Another fun one: Aaron started this season at 713 and the Braves opened the season on the road. During the 1936 season, Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees terrorized the Cleveland Indians by slamming fourteen home runs against the club a Major League record for most home runs against the same team in a season. [81] Aaron was then named the Braves' vice president and director of player development. He played right field for the Milwaukee Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. On April 8, he banged out his record 715th home run off Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers.. 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. Henry Aaron Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com Henry Aaron Name Note: commonly referred to as Hank Aaron Positions: Rightfielder and First Baseman Bats: Right Throws: Right 6-0 , 180lb (183cm, 81kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame MVP 25x All-Star 1957 World Series 3x Gold Glove Aaron singled, doubled, and hit a home run in the game. In 1935, Babe Ruth hit his final and 714th home run, a record that would stand for 39 years. [11] Tommie Aaron, one of his brothers, also went on to play Major League Baseball. [65] As the 1974 season began, Aaron's pursuit of the record caused a small controversy. Voters have kept Bonds out of the Baseball Hall of Fame over this scandal, but somehow he retains his home-run record. In the joy of the moment, the months of threats and insults were forgotten. As Aaron hammered closer to Ruth's 714 home runs, he . A seven-time NL MVP, the 43-year-old Bonds hit his 22nd home run of the year. [49], In 1963, Aaron nearly won the triple crown. 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. The moment is still frozen in time: Hank Aaron rounding the bases after hitting his record 715th home run when, suddenly, two young fans ran up from behind to pat him on the shoulder. Hank Aaron, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, died Friday at age 86. Sure, Aaron led the National League (NL) four times, he also was a two-time batting champion and led the league in RBIs four times and runs scored three times. But two other men were enshrined in history with him - Clifford Courtenay and Britt Gaston. Aaron was known to frequently read Thomas Kempis' 15th-century book The Imitation of Christ, which he kept in his locker. This one has been a long time in the making. 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. harvnb error: no target: CITEREFBraunsteinWolpin2006 (, Last edited on 23 February 2023, at 14:06, List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders, List of Major League Baseball batting champions, List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders, List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders, List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders, List of Major League Baseball career triples leaders, List of Major League Baseball doubles records, List of Major League Baseball home run records, List of Major League Baseball individual streaks, List of Major League Baseball runs batted in records, "For single seasons, From 1876 to 2008, (requiring HR30), sorted by greatest Seasons matching criteria", "For single seasons, From 1876 to 2008, (requiring H150), sorted by greatest Seasons matching criteria", "Hank Aaron's searing words on the racism he faced should never be forgotten", "Hank Aaron: Baseball icon and civil rights activist dies aged 86", Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation 2013, "Dunbar Creative And Performing Arts Magnet School", "This date in Braves history: Hank Aaron's only inside-the-park homer", "Vin Scully's Call of Hank Aaron's 715th Home Run", "Aaron Gets Reception, Mets Get Trounced, 81", "The Braves Trade Henry Aaron to the Brewers", "July 15, 1975: In Milwaukee, NL wins fourth straight All-Star Game", "Game Over for Liberty's Purchase of Braves from Time Warner", "Braves' Sale Approved by Baseball Owners", "Charles Schwab Super Bowl XXXVI ad feat. Bonds denied the allegations, then later argued ignorance. [11] Although he appeared in just 87 games, he scored 89 runs, had 116 hits, nine home runs, and 61 RBIs. At the end of the season, Aaron, who had a prior relationship with Brewers owner Bud Selig, requested a trade to Milwaukee. He signed a two-year contract with the Brewers for $240,000 per year. Bonds broke Mark McGwire's single-season record by hitting 73 in 2001 and while he's no longer such a force,. 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? He would create his own bats and balls out of materials he found on the streets. 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. On April 4, Opening Day, a 39-year-old Aaron sent the very first pitch he saw over the wall,. [23] On June 12, 1952, Aaron signed with Braves' scout Dewey Griggs. That he didnt take human growth hormones, the infamous cream and clear, which turned his Bill Bixby frame into Lou Ferrigno. [5] His experiences fueled his activism during the civil rights movement.[6]. Aaron was the first player to reach both Hall-worthy batting thresholds of 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. "[143][144], In January 2016, Aaron received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette from Akihito, the Emperor of Japan. [48] He batted .322, placing third, and led the league in home runs and runs batted in. 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. [138] Statues of Aaron stand outside the front entrance of both Turner Field and American Family Field. Instead of congratulations, Aaron received mounds of vile, racist and threatening hate mail which helped to ultimately make Aaron a bitter man. [35], Aaron spent the winter of 1953 playing in Puerto Rico. 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. "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. 756. That same year, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top offensive players in each league. He went on to become one of baseballs first African American executives, with the Atlanta Braves, and a leading spokesperson for minority hiring. During his stay in Puerto Rico, Owen also helped Aaron transition from second base to the outfield. Note that seasons prior to 1876 are not included in single-season marks, but are included in career marks. [86] There was considerable speculation that this was a snubbing of Bonds based on the widespread belief that Bonds had used performance-enhancing drugs and steroids to aid his achievement. He was one of the first African Americans to play in the league. Aaron had seven siblings, including Tommie Aaron, who played major-league baseball with him. About 755HomeRuns.com. 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. [75] He was acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers for Dave May thirty-one days later on November 2. Considered one of the greatest baseball players in history, he spent 21 seasons with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves in the National League (NL) and two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League (AL). [36], In 1954, Aaron attended spring training with the major league club. Aaron reportedly received 930,000 pieces of mail in 1973 the year before he broke Ruths record with enough including threats that the FBI got involved to protect him and his family. The 20 home runs Aaron hit in 1974 were the third-most ever by a player 40 or older. Hank Aaron's Accomplishments. [35] In 1958, Aaron hit .326, with 30 home runs and 95 RBIs. 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. Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms released the following statement on his death: Derek, our family and I join the nation in sending heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Billye Aaron, the beautiful wife of Henry Hank Aaron for nearly 50 years, and the entire family. 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. Atlanta Braves home uniform shirt #44 worn by Hank Aaron on April 8, 1974 when he broke Babe Ruth's career home run record with his 715th homer in the 4th inning vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - B-5.87 (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame Library) Related Hall of Famers To the top Hank Aaron Inducted: 1982 Position: Right Fielder Walter Alston 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. With 755 career home runs, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record by more than 40 home runs. [25], The Howe Sports Bureau credits Aaron with a .366 batting average in 26 official Negro league games, with five home runs, 33 runs batted in (RBIs), 41 hits, and nine stolen bases. Aaron was born and raised in and around Mobile, Alabama. 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. We've received your submission. [42], Considerably later in his career, Aaron coined "Stone-fingers", which would prove a popular handle for one of baseball's more colorful characters, the famously distance-hitting but defensively challenged first baseman Dick Stuart,[43] reportedly "delight[ing]" even its recipient. (The NBA's Atlanta Hawks had previously retired No. It is expected the Gwinnett County professional teams, the AAA Gwinnett Stripers (2021 season) and AA Atlanta Gladiators (202122 season), will also be involved in temporarily retiring Aaron's 44. Aaron broke Ruths record on April 8, 1974 at Atlantas Fulton County Stadium against Al Downing and the Dodgers. In 1957, Aaron won his only NL MVP Award,[11] as he had his first brush with the triple crown. Or will it be remembered as the season in which Aaron, the most dignified of athletes, was besieged with hate mail and trapped by the cobwebs and goblins that lurk in baseball's attic? Additionally, Aaron owned a chain of 30 restaurants around the country. Even as a kid, the irony of it hit me: here we were in the capital in the land of freedom and equality, and they had to destroy the plates that had touched the forks that had been in the mouths of black men. Many current or former athletes and team owners such as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Magic Johnson, David Ortiz, Dusty Baker, Eduardo Prez, Mike Trout, and Baseball Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark paid tribute to him. During the 2006 season, San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds passed Babe Ruth and moved into second place on the all-time home run list, attracting growing media coverage as he drew closer to Aaron's record. Aaron's record was . Well, to believe that you have to accept that Barry Bonds, with 762, didnt cheat to get there.