715 call", "Stuart Ranks Next to Foxx; Sox' 2nd Best Righty Slugger", "This Day in Black Sports History: February 5, 1934", "Hank Aaron explains how he is a fan of the Browns", "Hank Aaron Reunites with Valdosta Man who Followed him onto Field", "Ted Turner, Hank Aaron influenced each other as well as Georgia", "Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Members by Year", Play-by-Play Audio of Aaron's 715th Home Run, Major League Baseball Player of the Month, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hank_Aaron&oldid=1141128927, October 3,1976,for theMilwaukee Brewers, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 14:06. [48] He batted .322, placing third, and led the league in home runs and runs batted in. He was also named The Sporting News NL Player of the Year. [22] On August 1, 1982, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, having received votes on 97.8 percent of the ballots, second only to Ty Cobb, who had received votes on 98.2% of the ballot in the inaugural 1936 Hall of Fame election. 1974 Hank Aaron Record Home Run #715 Framed Newspaper Print [145], On April 14, 2017, Aaron threw out the first pitch at SunTrust Park (now called Truist Park) at 83 years old. Hank Aaron Significant Home Runs. Is Hank Aaron the True Home Run King? - The Sports Bank He was 86 [14] His boyhood idol was baseball star Jackie Robinson. Hank Aaron obituary | Baseball | The Guardian It should have been the most enjoyable time in my life, and instead it was hell. [54] Aaron established the record for most seasons with thirty or more home runs in the National League. [11] While on the Bears, Aaron earned $3 per game ($30 today), which was a dollar more than he got while on the Athletics. [77] The trade re-united Aaron with former teammate Del Crandall, who was now managing the Brewers. [51], During his days in Atlanta, Aaron reached several milestones; he was only the eighth player ever to hit 500 career home runs, with his 500th coming against Mike McCormick of the San Francisco Giants on July 14, 1968exactly one year after former Milwaukee Braves teammate Eddie Mathews had hit his 500th. [23] During this time, he picked up the nickname "pork chops" because it "was the only thing I knew to order off the menu". [31], In December 1980, Aaron became senior vice president and assistant to the Braves' president. They had five children: Gary, Lary, Dorinda, Gaile, and Hank Jr. [136], In 2002, Aaron was honored with the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. He was a three-time Gold Glove winner, and in 1957, he won the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award when the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series. "Maybe I was unnerved by all the attention," read more, On April 8, 1975, against the New York Yankees in Cleveland, the Indians' Frank Robinson becomes the first African American to manage a game in Major League Baseball. [110][111], US President Joe Biden paid tribute to Aaron by releasing a statement calling him "an American hero". Hank Aaron wore this jersey when he hit his 715th home run on April 8, 1974. He played right field for the Milwaukee Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. Aaron, known as hard working and quiet, was the last Negro league player to also compete in the Major Leagues. Aaron's achievements didn't end when his career did, though. [35] In 1958, Aaron hit .326, with 30 home runs and 95 RBIs. 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. Remembering the Day Hank Aaron Broke Babe Ruth's Home Run Record Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth. All that hatred left a deep scar on me. "He's going to swing and he'll go after almost anything," Maglie said of the Braves' slugger. Who is the true home run king? Barry Bonds-Hank Aaron debate continues He signed a two-year contract with the Brewers for $240,000 per year. If successful, this would give North Vietnam control of the northern read more, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorizes almost $5 million to implement work-relief programs on this day in 1935. He didnt know what he was taking, he testified, and thought it was all natural. Aaronhung up his cleats in 1976 with 755 career home runsa record that stood until 2007, when it was broken by controversial slugger Barry Bonds(Bonds admitted to using steroids in 2011). [152][153], MLB held two All-Star Games from 1959 through 1962. 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. But the Braves offered fifty dollars a month more. [44], Sal Maglie recommended throwing low curveballs to Aaron. He led the league with 44 home runs and 130 RBIs and finished third in batting average. [118], In 1982, Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility. According to the Hall of Fame 's stats keepers, Aaron leads both leagues in all-time ribbies, with 2.297 runs batted in during his storied career. [53], In 1970, Aaron reached two more career milestones. The cars were later recovered.[98]. Aaron's pursuit of Ruth's ultimate home run record was one of the top sports stories of the 1970s and generated intense media coverage. Barry Bonds Breaks Home Run Record - CBS News Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols are closing in on major home run records He died on January 22, 2021, at age 86. Aaron Judge sets AL home run record: Yankees slugger hits No. 62 to top [139], He was named a 2010 Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society, in conjunction with the Governor of Georgia, to recognize accomplishments and community service that reflect the ideals of the founding body of Trustees, which governed the Georgia colony from 1732 to 1752. Lewis Grizzard, then-executive sports editor of The Atlanta Journal, reported receiving numerous phone calls calling journalists "nigger lovers" for covering Aaron's chase. "[95] Sablica said in an interview that he wouldn't have blamed Aaron if he stopped practicing, and Aaron indeed attended Friendship Baptist Church toward the end of his lifenoting in his autobiography that he didn't remain Catholic for very long after converting. [126], He was honored before the third game of 2021 World Series. At the end of the season, Aaron, who had a prior relationship with Brewers owner Bud Selig, requested a trade to Milwaukee. [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 Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season. In 1935, Babe Ruth hit his final and 714th home run, a record that would stand for 39 years. Aaron showed awesome skill when, unaided by pharmaceuticals, he broke Babe Ruths seemingly unbreakable record. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1974 Hank Aaron Record Home Run #715 Framed Newspaper Print at the best online prices at eBay! on April 8th, 1974 he hit his 715th home run, which broke the then record of 714 held by Babe Ruth. Aaron had seven siblings, including Tommie Aaron, who played major-league baseball with him. MLB forced them to make him play and Aaron hit a home run in his first at bat in Cincinnati, but saved 715 for a few games later. Whats that you say? Aaron led the league in runs (115), hits (208), doubles (36), RBIs (125), total bases (338), and batting average (.362). On December 15, 1957, his wife Barbara gave birth to twins. [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. Hank Aaron Dead: Baseball Legend Who Broke Babe Ruth's Home Run Record Hank Aaron's 755 Home Runs - Career Stats, Facts and History of Hank Aaron [89], Despite being publicly and professionally known as "Hank," Aaron preferred to go by his given name, "Henry. 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. Actor: MacGyver. 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. In 1957, Aaron won his only NL MVP Award,[11] as he had his first brush with the triple crown. [60], He was the recipient of death threats and a large assortment of hate mail during the 19731974 offseason from people who did not want to see Aaron break Ruth's nearly sacrosanct home run record. That ball is gonna be-eee Outta here! Hank Aaron, who hit 755 career home runs in the baseball's . While he was born in a section of Mobile referred to as "Down the Bay", he spent most of his youth in Toulminville. As an adopted son of Atlanta, Mr. Aaron was part of the fabric that helped place Atlanta on the world stage. He again finished third in National League MVP voting. [127], On February 5, 1999, at his 65th birthday celebration, Major League Baseball announced the introduction of the Hank Aaron Award. [100][101], Aaron died in his sleep in his Atlanta residence on January 22, 2021 at the age of 86. He was with the Braves from 1954 to 1974first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta, when the franchise moved in 1966and closed it out with two seasons back in Milwaukee for the Brewers. Two score and seven years ago, the great Hank Aaron delivered one of the most iconic moments American sports and baseball history. As Aaron hammered closer to Ruth's 714 home runs, he . Braves management wanted him to break the record in Atlanta and was therefore going to have Aaron sit out the first three games of the season. Hank Aaron reunites with two fans who ran onto field following - ESPN 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. Hank Aaron, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, died Friday at age 86. By the end of the season, he had performed so well that the league made him the unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year. [31] He was the corporate vice president of community relations for Turner Broadcasting System, a member of the company's board of directors, and the vice president of business development for The Airport Network. . 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. Henry Aaron hits home run No. 715 | Baseball Hall of Fame [11] Tommie Aaron, one of his brothers, also went on to play Major League Baseball. While preparing the massive coverage of the home run record, he quietly had an obituary written, afraid that Aaron might be murdered.[62]. 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. Hank Greenberg, 1938 Tigers: 58; Jimmie Foxx, 1932 Athletics: 58; . He won the NL's Most Valuable Player award in 1957 and has a lifetime batting average of .305. Well, to believe that you have to accept that Barry Bonds, with 762, didnt cheat to get there. At the time of his retirement, Aaron held most of the game's key career power-hitting records. Where Hank Aaron does stand out is in the total number of hits. Hank Aaron's most notable achievement was breaking the career home run record set by Babe Ruth. 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. [11] Although he appeared in just 87 games, he scored 89 runs, had 116 hits, nine home runs, and 61 RBIs. The night Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record [5] His experiences fueled his activism during the civil rights movement.[6]. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron homered for the 715th time in the majors, breaking Babe Ruth's all-time record as America reckoned with his astounding achievements as a player and a man. Cobains suicide brought an end to a life marked by far more read more, Who killed Laura Palmer? was the question on everyones mind on the night of April 8, 1990, when David Lynchs surreal television drama Twin Peaks premiered on ABC. Former Braves minor league player and sportswriter Pat Jordan said, "Aaron gave [Geraghty] much of the credit for his own swift rise to stardom. Entdecke Hank Aaron and the Home Run That Changed America Paperback Tom St in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! [48], After the 1976 season, Aaron rejoined the Braves as an executive. Hank Aaron, Home Run King Who Defied Racism, Dies at 86 - New York Times Playing off the intense interest in their perceived rivalry, Aaron and Bonds made a television commercial that aired during Super Bowl XLI, shortly before the start of the 2007 baseball season, in which Aaron jokingly tried to persuade Bonds to retire before breaking the record. [23] On June 12, 1952, Aaron signed with Braves' scout Dewey Griggs. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934 January 22, 2021), nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1954 through 1976. She curbed the power of Britains labor read more, On April 8, 1935, Congress votes to approve the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a central part of President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal. Henry Aaron, the slugger known as "Hammerin' Hank" who broke broke Babe Ruth's career home run mark and remains No. [79][80] Over the course of his record-breaking 23-year career, Aaron had a batting average of .305 and 163 hits a season, while averaging just over 32 home runs and 99 RBIs a year. Formally entitled a read more. [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. [140], In 2011, the President of Princeton University Shirley M. Tilghman awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Aaron. Baseball's all-time home run king, Hank Aaron did more than hit home runs. On April 8, he banged out his record 715th home run off Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers.. He added 22 more in 1975 and 1976, finally calling it a career with 755 career home runs. He had finished 1973 with 713 career home runs, one shy of the all-time record set by Babe Ruth. He would create his own bats and balls out of materials he found on the streets. After the game, Aaron said his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season. Another fun one: Aaron started this season at 713 and the Braves opened the season on the road. [11] He won the league's Most Valuable Player Award,[11][18] and had such a dominant year that one sportswriter was prompted to say, "Henry Aaron led the league in everything except hotel accommodations. Thanks for contacting us. Hank Aaron Atlanta Braves Custom Frame Signed GFA 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 divorced Barbara in 1971 and married Billye Suber Williams on November 13, 1973.