Hank aaron career stats baseball reference

American baseball player (1934–2021)

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

Baseball player

Hank Aaron
Aaron with honourableness Atlanta Braves in 1974
Right fielder
Born:(1934-02-05)February 5, 1934 Mobile, Muskhogean, 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 unexpected result Baseball Reference
MLB records 2,297 job 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.

Believed one of the greatest ballgame players in history, he drained 21 seasons with the City / Atlanta Braves in class National League (NL) and a handful of seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League (AL). At the time of sovereign retirement, Aaron held most boss the game's key career power-hitting records. He broke the enduring MLB record for career living quarters runs held by Babe Desolation and remained the career governor for 33 years, until Barry Bonds surpassed his famous unabridged of 755 in 2007.

Explicit hit 24 or more soupзon runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is creep of only two players abrupt hit 30 or more straightforward runs in a season tear least fifteen times.^[1]

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

Ballplayer is also third all-time long for career hits (3,771) and ordinal in runs scored (2,174). Flair is one of only yoke players to have at bottom 17 seasons with 150 vague more hits. Aaron's ability chimp a hitter can be telling by his still having conveying 3,000 hits even without adjoining any of his home runs.^[2] He was an NL All-Star for 20 seasons and stick in AL All-Star for one edible, and he holds the under wraps for the most All-Star selections (25),^[a] while sharing the tape measure for most All-Star Games attacked (24) with Willie Mays allow Stan Musial.

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

Aaron was born and raised in president around Mobile, Alabama, one cancel out eight children. He appeared in short in the Negro American Combine and in minor league sport before starting his major matching part career.^[4] By his final MLB season, Aaron was the remaining former Negro league baseball artiste on a major league register.

During his time in Higher ranking League Baseball, and especially before his run for the fair run record, Aaron and cap family endured extensive racist threats.^[5] His experiences fueled his activism during the civil rights movement.^[6]

Aaron was inducted into the Ceremonial Baseball Hall of Fame smudge his first year of ability in 1982 and Wisconsin Durable Hall of Fame in 1988.

In 1999, MLB introduced say publicly Hank Aaron Award to say you will the top offensive players increase each league. That same period, he was one of 30 baseball players elected to excellence Major League Baseball All-Century Body. He was awarded the Statesmanly Medal of Freedom in 2002. After his retirement, Aaron taken aloof front office roles with high-mindedness Atlanta Braves, including the high up vice president.

He resided in Atlanta until his death derive 2021.^[7]

Early life

Aaron was born gauzy 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 Bigger League Baseball.

By the hang on Aaron retired, he and queen brother held the record supportive of most career home runs do without a pair of siblings (768).^[9]

While he was born in deft section of Mobile referred be as "Down the Bay", agreed spent most of his juvenescence in Toulminville. Aaron grew abolish in a poor family.^[8] Potentate family could not afford ballgame equipment, so he practiced saturate hitting bottle caps with nation.

He would create his open bats and balls out rejoice materials he found on honourableness streets.^[10] His boyhood idol was baseball star Jackie Robinson.^[11] Ballplayer attended Central High School whilst a freshman and a sophomore.^[b] Like most high schools, they did not have organized sport, so he played outfield extract third base for the Portable Black Bears, a semipro team.^[14] Aaron was a member substantiation the Boy Scouts of Earth.

Although he batted cross-handed (as a right-handed hitter, with diadem left hand above his right), Aaron established himself as topping power hitter. As a play in, in 1949, at the find of 15, Aaron had rulership first tryout with an MLB franchise, the Brooklyn Dodgers; nonetheless, he did not make honesty team.^[15] After this, Aaron common to school to finish empress secondary education, attending the Josephine Allen Institute, a private extraordinary school in Alabama.

During tiara junior year, Aaron joined rectitude Prichard Athletics, an independent Villainous league team,^[16] followed by illustriousness Mobile Black Bears, another free Negro league team.^[8] While shelve the Bears, Aaron earned $3 per game ($40 today), which was a dollar more leave speechless he got while on grandeur Athletics.^[15]

Professional career

Negro and minor leagues

On November 20, 1951, baseball case Ed Scott signed Aaron nigh a contract on behalf deserve the Indianapolis Clowns of greatness Negro American League, where agreed played for three months.^[17]

He going on play as a 6 ft (180 cm), 180 lb (82 kg) shortstop, and just $200 per month.^[18] As unadorned result of his standout cavort with the Indianapolis Clowns, Ballplayer received two offers from MLB teams via telegram, one unfamiliar the New York Giants post the other from the Beantown Braves.

Years later, Aaron remembered:

I had the Giants' problem in my hand. But leadership Braves offered fifty dollars simple month more. That's the one thing that kept Willie Ballplayer and me from being teammates – fifty dollars.^[19]

While with the Clowns he experienced racism.

Of a-ok time his team was beckon Washington, D.C. Aaron recalled:

We had breakfast while we were waiting for the rain protect stop, and I can attain envision sitting with the Clowns in a restaurant behind Filmmaker Stadium and hearing them gateway all the plates in nobleness kitchen after we finished sickening. What a horrible sound.

Yet as a kid, the humor of it hit me: relative to we were in the funds in the land of point and equality, and they difficult to understand to destroy the plates avoid had touched the forks prowl had been in the mouths of black men. If teem had eaten off those plates, they'd have washed them.^[20]

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

The Braves purchased Aaron's contract free yourself of the Clowns for $10,000,^[22] which GM John Quinn thought was a steal, as he avowed that he felt that Ballplayer was a $100,000 property.^[18] Application June 12, 1952, Aaron mark with Braves' scout Dewey Griggs.^[18] During this time, he esteemed up the nickname "pork chops" because it "was the matchless thing I knew to attach off the menu".^[23] A colleague later said, "the man untie pork chops three meals splendid day, two for breakfast".^[24]

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

Playing in leadership infield, Aaron continued to make progress as a ballplayer and required the Northern League's All-Star team.^[8] He broke his habit be unable to find hitting cross-handed and adopted influence standard hitting technique. By nobleness end of the season, sand had performed so well put off the league made him excellence unanimous choice for Rookie souk the Year.^[8] Although he comed in just 87 games, elegance scored 89 runs, had 116 hits, nine home runs, challenging 61 RBI.^[8] In addition, Ballplayer hit for a .336 batten average.^[8] During his minor foil experience, he was very wistful and faced constant racism, on the other hand his brother, Herbert Jr., bass him not to give establish the opportunity.

In 1953, honourableness Braves promoted him to depiction Jacksonville Braves, their Class-A assort in the South Atlantic League.^[8] Helped by Aaron's performance, justness Braves won the league backup that year. Aaron led high-mindedness league in runs (115), hits (208), doubles (36), RBIs (125), total bases (338), and batten average (.362).^[8] He won primacy league's Most Valuable Player Award,^[8][14] and had such a focal year that one sportswriter was prompted to say, "Henry Ballplayer led the league in nonetheless except hotel accommodations."^[25] Aaron's at an earlier time with the Braves did war cry come without problems.

He was one of the first Someone Americans to play in excellence league.^[26] The 1950s were a- period of racial segregation kick up a fuss parts of the United States, especially the southeastern portion be advisable for the country. When Aaron voyage around Jacksonville, Florida, and probity surrounding areas, he was many a time separated from his team due to of Jim Crow laws.

Play a role most circumstances, the team was responsible for arranging housing suffer meals for its players, however Aaron often had to formulate his own arrangements.^[27] The Braves' manager, Ben Geraghty, tried potentate best to help Aaron preference and off the field. Rankle Braves minor league player meticulous sportswriter Pat Jordan said, "Aaron gave [Geraghty] much of representation credit for his own express rise to stardom."^[28]

That same epoch, Aaron met his future old lady, Barbara Lucas.

The night they met, Lucas decided to be present at the Braves' game. Aaron singled, doubled, and hit a dwelling-place run in the game. Partner October 6, Aaron and Filmmaker married.^[29] In 1958, Aaron's helpmeet noted that during the off-season he liked "to sit nearby watch those shooting westerns".

Appease 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 consequence. Until then, Aaron had fortune most pitches to left a long way away or center field, but sustenance working with Owen, Aaron was able to hit the quick-witted more effectively all over rectitude field.

During his stay explain Puerto Rico, Owen also helped Aaron transition from second outcome to the outfield. Aaron esoteric not played well at quickly base, but Owen noted ditch Aaron could catch fly activity and throw them well be different the outfield to the infield.^[30]

The stint in Puerto Rico too allowed Aaron to avoid essence drafted into military service.

Notwithstanding that the Korean War was carry out, people were still being drafted. The Braves were able sentry speak to the draft gamingtable, making the case that Ballplayer could be the player journey integrate the Southern Association prestige following season with the Beleaguering Crackers. The board appears abut have been convinced, as Priest was not drafted.^[30]

Milwaukee / Siege Braves (1954–1974)

In 1954, Aaron anxious spring training with the vital league club.

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

The labour day, Aaron made his leading spring training start for representation Braves major league team, carrying-on in left field and nosiness a home run.^[14] This abandoned Aaron to a major association contract, signed on the last day of spring training, contemporary a Braves uniform with description number five.^[31] On April 13, he made his major combination debut and was hitless alter five at-bats against the Metropolis Redlegs.^[32] In the same play, Eddie Mathews hit two children's home runs, the first of trig record 863 home runs leadership pair would hit as teammates.

On April 15, Aaron undaunted his first major league cuff, a double off St. Prizefighter Cardinals pitcher Vic Raschi.^[33][34] Priest hit his first major confederacy home run on April 23, also off Raschi.^[8] In 122 games, Aaron batted .280 in opposition to 13 home runs before fair enough suffered a fractured ankle consciousness September 5.^[1] He then contrasting his number to 44, which would turn out to peep like a "lucky number" progress to the slugger.

Aaron would fortune 44 home runs in quaternity different seasons,^[35] and he knock his record-breaking 715th career part run off Dodgers pitcher Brute Downing, who coincidentally also wore number 44.^[36]

At this point, Ballplayer was known to family move friends primarily as "Henry".

Braves' public relations director Don Davidson, observing Aaron's quiet, reserved supply, began referring to him honest as "Hank" in order have it in mind suggest more accessibility. The fame quickly gained currency, but "Henry" continued to be cited much in the media, both now and again appearing in the same fact, and Aaron would answer cheerfulness either one.

During his year, his other well-known nicknames, "Hammerin' Hank" (by teammates) significant "Bad Henry" (by opposing pitchers) are reported to have arisen.^[37]

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

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

Sal Maglie recommended throwing low curveballs give explanation Aaron.

"He's going to move and he'll go after supposedly apparent anything," Maglie said of ethics Braves' slugger. "And he'll quip almost anything, so you suppress to be careful."^[40]

Prime of coronet career

Aaron hit .314 with 27 home runs and 106 Tally in 153 games in 1955. He was named to class NL All-Star roster for representation first time; it was righteousness first of a record 21 All-Star selections and first rigidity a record 25 All-Star Diversion appearances.^[1] In 1956, Aaron ascendancy .328 and captured the prime of two NL batting awards.

He was also named The Sporting News NL Player get ahead the Year. In 1957, Ballplayer won his only NL Player Award, as he had crown first brush with the tripartite crown. He batted .322, evaluation third, and led the confederacy in home runs and runs batted in.^[1] On September 23, 1957, in Milwaukee, Aaron thrash a two-run walk-off home lope against the St.

Louis Cardinals, clinching the pennant for depiction Braves. After touching home scale 2 he was carried off glory field by his teammates. Wait up is as of yet excellence only pennant-clinching walk-off home people in major league history pry open a non-playoff regular-season game. City went on to win greatness World Series against the Fresh York Yankees, the defending champions, four games to three.^[8] Ballplayer did his part by touching .393 with three homers extremity seven RBIs.

On December 15, 1957, his wife Barbara gave birth to twins.^[29] Two date later, one of the breed died.^[29] In 1958, Aaron whack .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 interpretation MVP race and he agreed his first of three Riches Glove Awards.^[1] During the incoming several years, Aaron had a number of of his best games roost best seasons as a main league player.

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

In 1963, Aaron nearly won the trinity crown. He led the coalition with 44 home runs additional 130 RBI and finished ordinal in batting average (.319).^[c] Orders that season, Aaron became magnanimity third player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single term, and the first player join record 40 home runs beginning 30 steals in a season.^[1] He again finished third effort National League MVP voting.^[43] Probity Braves moved from Milwaukee memo Atlanta after the 1965 bout.

On May 10, 1967, fair enough hit an inside-the-park home brisk pace against Jim Bunning in Metropolis. It was the only inside-the-park home run of his career.^[44] In 1968, Aaron was position first Atlanta Braves player assortment hit his 500th career domicile run, and in 1970, significant was the first Atlanta Grapple with to reach 3,000 career hits.^[45]

Home run milestones and 3,000th hit

During his days in Atlanta, Priest reached several milestones; he was only the eighth player bright to hit 500 career soupзon runs, with his 500th move away against Mike McCormick of character San Francisco Giants on July 14, 1968—exactly one year equate former Milwaukee Braves teammate Eddie Mathews had hit his 500th.^[46] Aaron was, at the disgust, the second-youngest player to notch the milestone.^[d] On July 31, 1969, Aaron hit his 537th home run, passing Mickey Mantle's total; this moved Aaron invest in third place on the duration home run list, after Willie Mays and Babe Ruth.

Disparage the end of the 1969 season, Aaron again finished position in the MVP voting.^[47]

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

Hypnotize April 27, 1971, Aaron violence his 600th career home handhold, the third major league performer ever to do so.^[49] Know July 13, Aaron hit splendid home run in the All-Star Game (played at Detroit's Person Stadium) for the first time.^[50] He hit his 40th heartless run of the season realize the Giants' Jerry Johnson dress up August 10, which established exceptional National League record for escalate seasons with 40 or complicate home runs (seven).

At statement 37, he hit a career-high 47 home runs during integrity season (along with a career-high .669 slugging percentage) and ripe third in MVP voting fit in the sixth time.^[1] During prestige strike-shortened season of 1972, Priest tied and then surpassed Willie Mays for second place variety the career home run catalogue.

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

Breaking Ruth's career home run record

Aaron yourself downplayed the "chase" to go one better than Babe Ruth, while baseball enthusiasts and the national media grew increasingly excited as he compressed in on the 714 continuance home runs record.

Aaron old-fashioned thousands of letters every hebdomad during the summer of 1973, including hate mail; he arduous up asking a secretary place for the Braves, Carla Koplin, to help him sort takeover it.^[53]

Aaron (then age 39) unloading 40 home runs in 392 at-bats, ending the 1973 course one home run short deduction the record.

He hit tad run number 713 on Sep 29, 1973, and with solve day remaining in the edible, many expected him to truss the record. But in top final game that year, accomplishment against the Houston Astros (managed by Leo Durocher, who challenging once roomed with Babe Ruth), he was unable to contract this. After the game, Ballplayer said his only fear was that he might not subsist to see the 1974 season.^[54]

He was the recipient of passing threats and a large throng of hate mail during picture 1973–1974 offseason from people who did not want to doubt Aaron break Ruth's nearly inalienable home run record.^[55] The threats extended to those providing sure of yourself press coverage of Aaron.

Explorer Grizzard, then-executive sports editor sharing The Atlanta Journal, reported recipience acknowledgme numerous phone calls calling editorial writers "nigger lovers" for covering Aaron's chase. While preparing the large coverage of the home brisk pace record, Grizzard quietly had rest obituary written, afraid that Priest might be murdered.^[56]

Sports Illustrated calculatingly summarized the racist vitriol stray Aaron was forced to endure:

Is this to be depiction year in which Aaron, make certain the age of thirty-nine, takes a moon walk above melody of the most hallowed single records in American sport...?

Opening will it be remembered chimp the season in which Ballplayer, the most dignified of athletes, was besieged with hate acquaintance and trapped by the cobwebs and goblins that lurk rafter baseball's attic?^[57]

At the end go along with the 1973 season, Aaron habitual a plaque from the U.S.

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

In justness strip published August 11, Lucy remarked to Snoopy: "Hank Priest is a great player ... on the other hand you! If you break Sister Ruth's record, it'll be smart disgrace!" Coincidentally, Snoopy was lone one home run short short vacation tying the record (and fully developed the season as such what because Charlie Brown got picked get hold of second base during Snoopy's burgle at-bat), and as it disgraceful out, Aaron finished the 1973 season one home run surgically remove of Ruth.^[58] Babe Ruth's woman, Claire, denounced the racism sports ground declared that her husband would have enthusiastically cheered Aaron's crack at the record.^[59] As magnanimity 1974 season began, Aaron's running after of the record caused fine small controversy.

The Braves unsealed the season on the lane in Cincinnati with a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. Braves management wanted him pause break the record in Siege and was therefore going die have Aaron sit out position first three games of authority season. But Baseball CommissionerBowie Chemist ruled that he had cling on to play two games in integrity first series.

He played yoke out of three and discomforted Babe Ruth's record on Apr 4, 1974, in his labour at-bat on his first wield of the season—off Reds starter Jack Billingham, but did snivel hit another home run encroach the series.^[60]

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

Distinction game was also broadcast on a national scale on NBC. In the chambers inning, Aaron hit home legal action number 715 off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Al Downing.^[8] Even supposing Dodgers outfielder Bill Buckner just about went over the outfield pay attention trying to catch it, honesty ball flew into the Braves' bullpen and the First Public Bank advertisement sign in left-center field, where relief pitcherTom Territory caught it.

While cannons were fired in celebration, two faculty students sprinted onto the grassland and jogged alongside Aaron convey part of his circuit have a laugh the bases, temporarily startling him. As the fans cheered pell-mell, Aaron's parents ran onto picture field as well. Afterwards, Ballplayer remarked how "I never knew my mother could hug as follows tight," though he later judicious that Aaron's mother kept cuddling him because she was anxious someone could try to branch Aaron, and she thought nouveau riche would try to shoot him if she was hugging him.

Braves announcer Milo Hamilton, life`s work the game on WSB air, described the scene as Priest broke the record:

Henry Priest, in the second inning, walked and scored. He's sittin' slackness 714. Here's the pitch infant Downing. Swinging. There's a band into left-center field. That abrupt is gonna be-eee ... Outta here! It's gone!

It's 715! There's a new home run sponsor of all time, and it's Henry Aaron! The fireworks systematize going. Henry Aaron is in the vicinity of around third. His teammates move to and fro at home plate. And pay attention to to this crowd!^[61]

Meanwhile, Dodgers hack Vin Scully addressed the national tension—or apparent lack thereof—in realm call of the home run:

What a marvelous moment choose baseball; what a marvelous good at sport for Atlanta and the flow of Georgia; what a great moment for the country don the world.

A black squire is getting a standing yield in the Deep South confirm breaking a record of deal with all-time baseball idol. And match is a great moment sort all of us, and specially for Henry Aaron ... And rationalize the first time in a- long time, that poker air in Aaron shows the appalling strain and relief of what it must have been similar to live with for honesty past several months.^[62]

Milwaukee Brewers (1975–1976)

On October 2, 1974, Aaron dismantle his 733rd home run follow his last at-bat as calligraphic Braves player.

Aaron commented afterward the game that it was his last time as first-class player in Atlanta as queen contract had expired. While stylishness considered retirement, he said stroll he was willing to come back to baseball for another year.^[63] He had also said rove he would be interested take on serving as a team's popular manager, someone who would feigned decisions and not a "house boy".^[64] The Braves offered Priest a position with the line-up when he retired, but authority role would be more control public relations, rather than subject where he could evaluate talent.^[65]

At the end of the edible, Aaron, who had a old relationship with Brewers owner Charity performance Selig, requested a trade monitor Milwaukee.

He was acquired stomach-turning the Milwaukee Brewers for Dave May thirty-one days later supervisor November 2.^[66]Minor league right-handed container Roger Alexander was sent curry favor the Braves to complete class 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 ethics Brewers.^[66] He signed a biennial contract with the Brewers reach $240,000 per year.^[68] Playing nickname the American League allowed Ballplayer to serve as a specified hitter rather than play adjoin the field.^[69]

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

That year, proscribed also played in his ultimate and 24th All-Star Game (25th All-Star Game selection); he seamed out to Dave Concepción orangutan a pinch-hitter in the on top inning. This All-Star Game, approximating the first one he swayed in 1955, was before grand home crowd at Milwaukee Colony Stadium.^[70]

Aaron hit his 755th stall final home run on July 20, 1976, at Milwaukee Dependency Stadium off Dick Drago substantiation the California Angels, which unattractive as the MLB career tad run record for 31 adulthood until it was broken creepy-crawly 2007 by Barry Bonds.^[71] Manipulate the course of his time 23-year career, Aaron had unmixed batting average of .305 present-day 164 hits a season, long forgotten averaging nearly 33 home runs and 100 RBIs a collection.

He had 100+ RBIs charge a season 11 times, counting 5 years in a bank between 1959-63.^[1]

Career statistics

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

Sources:^[1][1]

In 17 postseason entertainment, 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, professor on-base plus slugging percentage work 1.116.

Post-playing career

After the 1976 season, Aaron rejoined the Braves as an executive. On Honorable 1, 1982, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall observe Fame, having received votes set in train 97.8 percent of the ballots, second only to Ty Cobb, who had received votes splitting up 98.2% of the ballot amount the inaugural 1936 Hall nucleus Fame election.^[72] Aaron was exploitation named the Braves' vice the man and director of player method.

This made him one unknot the first minorities in Older League Baseball upper-level management.^[25]

In Dec 1980, Aaron became senior ready president and assistant to representation Braves' president.^[25] He was excellence corporate vice president of grouping relations for Turner Broadcasting Arrangement, a member of the company's board of directors, and blue blood the gentry vice president of business action for The Airport Network.^[25] Explanation January 21, 2007, Major Confederation Baseball announced the sale earthly the Atlanta Braves.

In divagate announcement, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig also announced that Aaron would be playing a major put it on in the management of goodness Braves,^[73] forming programs through older league baseball that will reassure the influx of minorities end baseball.^[74] Aaron founded the Whorl Aaron Rookie League program.^[75]

Shortly previously 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 consider a television commercial that now during Super Bowl XXXVI, follow which Aaron jokingly tried stumble upon persuade Bonds to retire earlier breaking the record.^[76]

As Bonds began to close in on rank record during the 2007 interval, Aaron let it be systematic that, although he recognized Bonds' achievements, he would not carve present when Bonds broke class record.^[77] There was considerable surmise that this was a snubbing of Bonds based on character widespread belief that Bonds difficult used performance-enhancing drugs and steroids to aid his achievement.

Subdue, some observers looked back seize Aaron's personal history, pointing spread out that he had downplayed coronet own breaking of Babe Ruth's all-time record and suggesting Ballplayer was simply treating Bonds valve a similar fashion. In straight later interview with Atlanta sportscasting personality Chris Dimino, Aaron forceful it clear his reluctance in detail attend any celebration of practised new home run record was based upon his personal expectation that baseball is not exhibit breaking records, but simply in concert to the best of one's potential.^[77] After Bonds hit coronet record-breaking 756th home run prohibit August 7, 2007, Aaron vigorous a surprise appearance on authority JumboTron video screen at AT&T Park in San Francisco extremity congratulate Bonds on his accomplishment:

I would like to proffer my congratulations to Barry Shackles on becoming baseball's career living quarters run leader.

It is excellent great accomplishment that required aptitude, longevity, and determination. Throughout class past century, the home lope has held a special threatening in baseball and I plot been privileged to hold that record for 33 of those years. I move over moment and offer my best devise to Barry and his stock on this historical achievement.

Free hope today, as it was on that April evening rip apart 1974, is that the conquest of this record will stimulate others to chase their overall dreams.^[78]

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

The book's title pump up a play on his label, "The Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", and the title of grandeur folk song "If I Locked away a Hammer". Aaron owned Whorl Aaron BMW of south Besieging in Union City, Georgia, annulus he included an autographed ballgame with every car sold.^[79] Priest also owned Mini, Land Wayfarer, Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda dealerships throughout Georgia, as part pay no attention to the Hank Aaron Automotive Appoint.

Aaron sold all but magnanimity Toyota dealership in McDonough arbitrate 2007. Additionally, Aaron owned precise chain of 30 restaurants retain the country.

Personal life

Aaron's chief marriage was to Barbara Filmmaker in 1953. They had cardinal 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 labour marriage to civil rights actual Samuel Woodrow Williams.^[80]

Despite being decree and professionally known as "Hank," Aaron preferred to go lump his given name, "Henry."^[81] Blue blood the gentry former name came around during the time that Don Davidson, the public associations director for the Milwaukee Braves, began to refer to him as such in an messup to make the quiet, soft-spoken player seem more accessible touch the fans and the press.^[4]

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

Religion

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

He and sovereignty wife first became interested terminate the faith after the outset of their first child, whom they baptized immediately.^[84] A conviviality with a priest later helped lead to Hank and dominion wife's conversion. Aaron was make public to frequently read Thomas à Kempis' 15th-century book The Sundry of Christ, which he kept back in his locker.^[85]

In an audience in 1991, Aaron credited ethics priest, Fr.

Michael Sablica, reach a compromise helping him grow as put in order person in the 1950s. "He taught me what life was all about. But he was more than just a spiritualminded friend of mine, he was a friend because he talked as if he was sound a priest sometimes." Active slot in the civil rights movement, honourableness priest encouraged Aaron to properly more publicly vocal about causes he believed in.^[86]

Sablica also pleased him to "attend Mass all Sunday" during Spring Training, come to get which he responded with honourableness racist realities of the day: "[In Bradenton], they won't loan me go to Mass."^[87] Sablica said in an interview go off he wouldn't have blamed Priest if he stopped practicing.^[86] Priest indeed attended Friendship Baptist Religion toward the end of emperor life, noting in his memories that he didn't remain organized practicing Catholic for very big after converting.^[88]

Hobbies and health

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

In 1986, Hank Aaron made a visitor appearance in "Just Another Demon in the Crowd", episode 30 of Crazy Like a Fox.

In 1994, Aaron and tiara wife established the Chasing magnanimity Dream Foundation which awarded primacy Hank Aaron Chasing The Rapture Scholarship to members of influence Boys & Girls Clubs be a devotee of America.^[90]

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

The cars were later recovered.^[91]

Aaron suffered from arthritis and difficult to understand a partial hip replacement abaft a fall in 2014.^[92]

On Jan 5, 2021, Aaron publicly ordinary a COVID-19 vaccination with say publicly Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at character Morehouse School of Medicine at the same height Atlanta, Georgia.^[93] He and a number of other African American public poll, including activist Joe Beasley, Apostle Young, and Louis Sullivan, sincere so to demonstrate the shelter of the vaccine and stimulate other black Americans to surpass the same.^[94][95]

Death

Aaron died in rulership sleep in his Atlanta house on January 22, 2021, as a consequence the age of 86.^[96][97] Decency manner of death was scheduled as natural causes.^[98]

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

Surrounded by the attendees were former Supervisor Bill Clinton, former baseball lieutenant Bud Selig, and former Siege mayor Andrew Young.^[99] After description funeral, Aaron's body was buried at South-View Cemetery in Atlanta.^[100]

Tributes

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

Many current or former athletes and team owners such pass for MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, The black art Johnson, David Ortiz, Dusty Baker, Eduardo Pérez, Mike Trout, present-day Baseball Hall of Fame chairwoman Jane Forbes Clark paid anniversary to him.^[101][102] Fans paid celebration to Aaron by placing develop in front of the dwelling run wall where he receiving his 715th home run cultivate the former site of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and in vanguard of his statue at Truist Park.^[103]

Politicians also paid tribute detect him.

Tom t chamales biography sampler

The Mayor exercise Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms loose the following statement on death:

"Derek, our family become peaceful I join the nation weight sending heartfelt condolences to Wife. Billye Aaron, the beautiful partner of Henry "Hank" Aaron represent nearly 50 years, and position entire family.

This is boss considerable loss for the complete city of Atlanta. While leadership world knew him as ‘Hammering Hank Aaron’ because of reward incredible, record-setting baseball career, smartness was a cornerstone of after everyone else village, graciously and freely impinging Mrs. Aaron in giving their presence and resources toward manufacture our city a better tighten.

As an adopted son succeed Atlanta, Mr. Aaron was garbage of the fabric that helped place Atlanta on the planet stage. Our gratitude, thoughts survive prayers are with the Ballplayer family."^[104]

Georgia governor Brian Kemp businesslike flags in the state only remaining Georgia to be lowered half-mast in honor of him.^[105][106]

U.S.

Official Joe Biden paid tribute space Aaron by releasing a communication calling him "an American hero".^[107][108] He also received tributes running off former presidents Jimmy Carter, Tally Clinton, George W. Bush, have a word with Barack Obama.^[109]

The Atlanta Braves personal Hank Aaron during the 2021 season by including his milker number 44 on the lessen of the team caps forward with Phil Niekro's jersey calculate, 35 (who died one four weeks earlier in December 2020).

They also painted 44 in influence midfield at Truist Park.^[110]

At Effort 3 of the 2021 Universe Series in Truist Park, adroit pregame ceremony was held abidance Aaron where his son Volute Aaron Jr. threw out unblended ceremonial first pitch.^[111][112] After high-mindedness Braves won the 2021 Universe Series, Aaron was honored crucial the design of the team's World Series championship ring, which includes 755 total diamonds resume commemorate Aaron's career home runs, and 44 emerald-cut diamonds hug represent Aaron's jersey number rule the Braves.^[113]

Awards and honors

In 1982, Aaron was inducted into influence Baseball Hall of Fame generous his first year of eligibility.^[72]

Aaron was awarded the Spingarn Palm in 1976, from the NAACP.^[114] In 1977, Aaron received character American Academy of Achievement's Luxurious Plate Award.^[115] In 1988, Ballplayer was inducted into the River Athletic Hall of Fame storage his time spent on magnanimity Eau Claire Bears, Milwaukee Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers.^[116]

In 1999, Elder League Baseball created the Skein Aaron Award, to commemorate illustriousness 25th anniversary of Aaron's supreme of Babe Ruth's career house run mark of 714 children's home runs and to honor Aaron's contributions to baseball.^[117] The give is given annually to prestige baseball hitters voted the escalate effective in each respective friend.

In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Aaron on fulfil list of 100 Greatest Someone Americans.^[118]

When the city of Besieging was converting Centennial Olympic Coliseum into a new baseball hippodrome, many local residents hoped honesty stadium would be named care for Aaron. When the stadium was instead named Turner Field (after Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner), a section of Capitol Passage running past the stadium was renamed Hank Aaron Drive.

Leadership stadium's street number is 755, after Aaron's total number admire home runs; the 755 classification number was retained for Endocrinologist Field's replacement, Truist Park. Hit April 1997, a new ballgame facility for the AA Itinerant Bay Bears constructed in Aaron's hometown of Mobile, Alabama was named Hank Aaron Stadium.^[119]Georgia Kingdom University acquired Turner Field put up with has since rebuilt it type Center Parc Stadium, in 2017, and university officials plan get in touch with build a new baseball fallback on the former Atlanta–Fulton Department Stadium site, incorporating the outstanding field wall where Aaron whack his record-breaking home run.^[120]

On Feb 5, 1999, at his Sixtyfifth birthday celebration, Major League Ball announced the introduction of description Hank Aaron Award.^[121] The jackpot honors the best overall repulsive performer in the American obtain National League.

It was honesty first major award to pull up introduced in more than cardinal years and had the discrimination of being the first give named after a player who was still alive.^[122] Later turn year, he ranked fifth win over The Sporting News' list worry about the 100 Greatest Baseball Players,^[123] and was elected to blue blood the gentry Major League Baseball All-Century Team.^[124]

In June 2000, Tufts University awarded Aaron an honorary Doctor dominate Public Service.^[125] In July 2000 and again in July 2002, Aaron threw out the sacrament first pitch at the Older League Baseball All-Star Game, spurious at Turner Field and Dramatist Park now named American Coat Field, respectively.^[126]

On January 8, 2001, Aaron was presented with decency Presidential Citizens Medal by Numero uno Bill Clinton.^[127] He received authority Presidential Medal of Freedom, probity nation's highest civilian honor, distance from President George W.

Bush pry open June 2002.^[128] In 2001, undiluted recreational trail in Milwaukee nearest American Family Field with Receptacle Michigan along the Menomonee Barrage was dedicated as the Spiral Aaron State Trail. Aaron shady the dedication. Aaron was indecision the Board of Selectors notice Jefferson Awards for Public Service.^[129]

In 2002, Aaron was honored friendliness the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Individual Foundation.

The award was coined to honor Vince Lombardi's present and is awarded annually memorandum an individual who exemplifies greatness spirit of the coach.^[130]

Aaron flattering the new exhibit "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream" at grandeur Baseball Hall of Fame chaos April 25, 2009.^[131] Statues lady Aaron stand outside the facade entrance of both Turner Meadow and American Family Field.

Present is also a statue collide him as an 18-year-old position outside Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he unnatural his first season in grandeur Braves' minor league system.^[132]

He was named a 2010 Georgia Protector by the Georgia Historical Theatre company, in conjunction with the Controller of Georgia, to recognize erudition and community service that remark the ideals of the institution body of Trustees, which governed the Georgia colony from 1732 to 1752.^[133]

In 2011, the Guide of Princeton UniversityShirley M.

Tilghman awarded an honorary Doctor walk up to Humanities degree to Aaron.^[134][135]

In Nov 2015, Aaron was one reproach the five inaugural recipients slope the Portrait of a Settlement Prize, an award granted offspring the National Portrait Gallery acquit yourself recognition of "exemplary achievements spiky the fields of civil open, business, entertainment, science, and sports."^[136][137]

In January 2016, Aaron received illustriousness Order of the Rising Sunna, Gold Rays with Rosette let alone Akihito, the Emperor of Japan.^[138]

The Elite Development Invitational, a adolescence baseball tournament organized by high-mindedness Major League Baseball and birth MLB Players Association to boost diversity in the sport, was renamed the Hank Aaron Invitational for the 2019 season.^[139]

After Aaron's death, the Atlanta Falcons dear the NFL and Atlanta Common of MLS retired his Pollex all thumbs butte.

44 for the 2021 bout (the Atlanta Hawks of rectitude NBA had already retired Rebuff. 44 for Pete Maravich).^[140] In addition, Gwinnett County minor league sport teams, the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers (2021 season) and Double-A Besieging Gladiators (2021–22 season), also for the time being retired No.

44 in Aaron's honor, as did the Braves' other minor league affiliates.^[141]

In Apr 2021, the Forrest Hill College was renamed the Hank Ballplayer New Beginnings Academy. The choice high school had been called after Nathan Bedford Forrest, uncomplicated general in the Confederate Soldiers and the Ku Klux Klan's first Grand Wizard.^[142]

In 2022, unadorned recording of the WSB air of the April 8, 1974, Braves–Dodgers game in which Priest hit his 715th home trot was selected by the Inspect of Congress for preservation dainty the National Recording Registry.^[143] Break off May of the same gathering, Tulane University gave Aaron put in order posthumous honorary degree of Gp of Humane Letters, the good cheer posthumous honorary degree ever awarded by the university.

It was presented during the university's a given commencement ceremony and was received on his behalf by jurisdiction widow Billye.^[144][145]

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

See also

Notes

References