Rest In Peace 'Hammerin" Hank Aaron, Age 86

[Husky_Khan]

Opinion: Hank Aaron left his mark on America just as he did on baseball's record books

Former President Bill Clinton credited the racial tolerance Hank Aaron inspired for making it possible for Barack Obama to become president.

www.usatoday.com

Hammerin Hank Aaron was known for breaking the career all time home run record, surpassing Babe Ruth's record in 1973 (Babe Ruth retired in 1935). After surpassing Babe Ruth's 716 home runs, Hank Aaron himself retired with 755 career Home Runs in 1976. Just over thirty one years later, in 2007, Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's career home run record.

Hank Aaron grew up poor, his family unable to afford baseball equipment so he initially played by hitting bottlecaps with sticks. He started his Professional Baseball career in 1951 playing for the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro Leagues (the segregated league for Black Players) and so for the first three years of his career, did not play in Major League Baseball. When Black players were allowed into the Major Leagues, Hank Aaron soon got his chance to prove himself. In 1954, he played for the first MLB team, tbe Milwaukee Brewers, replacing an injured player and did so well that by the next year he made it to the MLB All-Stars Team.

By 1973 he was trending to surpass Babe Ruth's thirty eight year old record and while he tried to downplay the achivement, he was receiving lots of attention, including hate mail due to racism which prompted Hank Aaron to state his main worry was that he was going to be killed before he could reach that milestone. He did break the record though and by the time he retired in 1976 his record-breaking 23-year career, Aaron had a batting average of .305 with 163 hits a season, while averaging just over 32 home runs and 99 RBIs a year.

Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, and had six children across two marriages. He died in his sleep in Atlanta, two weeks shy of his 87th Birthday.

 

[LTR]

Kind of surreal. I visited Eau Claire, Wisconsin the year before last (on our way to Wisconsin Dells wooooo!) and we took a break from driving at some park area surrounding a small stadium and happened upon a bronze statue of Hank Aaron out front.

Despite only spending a summer playing for the Eau Claire Bears he apparently made quite the impression the town and vice versa as a mere 18 year old Black teenager from Alabama.

Remembering Henry Aaron: Hammerin’ Hank left lasting legacy in Eau Claire

Remembering Henry Aaron: Hammerin' Hank left lasting legacy in Eau Claire

www.weau.com

Arguably one of the greatest baseball players of all time.