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 “Hammerin’ ” Hank Aaron Photo Gallery
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Hank Aaron, RIP

“In playing ball, and in life, a person occasionally gets the opportunity to do something great. When that time comes, only two things matter: being prepared to seize the moment, and having the courage to take your best swing.” -Hank Aaron

The baseball world was again saddened with today’s news that one of the greatest ballplayers of all time, Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron (February 5, 1934- January 22, 2021) has passed away, just short of his 87th birthday. Hank had been in failing health the past few years, and it had indeed been difficult to see how the health of this once-great athlete had deteriorated. This also continued an unsettling trend over the past year or so with the passing of many of baseball’s all-time greats.

A Promising Rookie…

In hindsight, I think it’s fair to say that March 14, 1954, almost sixty-seven years ago, was a significant day in baseball history. It’s also fair to say that no one back then could have possibly perceived it. That was the day when a “promising 20-year old rookie,” an outfielder from Mobile, Alabama – fresh from the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues – started his first game in a Braves’ uniform. The rookie was filling in for Bobby Thomson who had broken his ankle the day before. It surely brings back memories of the day when Lou Gehrig was inserted into the Yankee lineup because regular first baseman Wally Pipp had a “headache.”

The youngster made such an impression – three hits including a home run in the spring training game against Boston – that the Braves immediately purchased his contract from the Clowns for $10,000 and gave him a major league contract. On April 13, he made his debut going 0-5 against the Reds’ Joe Nuxhall. In the same game, Eddie Mathews connected for two dingers. Over their careers, the two teammates would hit a record 863 homers together. A few days later, on April 15, the rookie collected his first of 3771 hits off Vic Raschi. This was soon followed by his first major league homer, on April 23, also off Raschi.

I wonder if anyone at the time had an inkling that this promising young player with the name of Hank Aaron would shortly blossom into one of the greatest sluggers the game had ever seen? Over the course of his 21-year career, the rookie went on to break baseball’s most cherished records, Babe Ruth’s 714 career home runs. Those of us old enough to remember that memorable day, April 8, 1974, can recall the abuse Hank endured as he approached the record, and the dignity in which he responded to the abuse.  He was the recipient of death threats and hate mail, often racially tainted, from people who did not want to see a black man break the hallowed record of the sainted Babe Ruth.  

What a Career…

And what a career the “promising rookie” would have. “Hammerin’ Hank” played 21 seasons for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and two seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1954 through 1976, after appearing briefly in the Negro American League. Over his career, Hank hit .305 with 3771 hits (3^rd all-time), 2174 runs (4^th all-time, tied with Babe Ruth), 755 home runs (2^nd all-time), 2297 RBI (1^st all-time), 6856 total bases (1^st all-time), 1477 extra-base hits (1^st all-time), .374 on-base percentage, .555 slugging average, 12,365 at-bats (2^nd all-time), and 3,298 games played (2^nd all-time).

 Other career highlights include 25 All-star team selections (every year between 1955-1975), and tied with Willie Mays and Stan Musial for the most All-Star Games played (24); one World Series championship (1957); National League MVP award (1957); three-time Gold Glove award; two-time National League batting champion; four-time National League home run champion; and four-time National League RBI champion.

 Aaron held the major league record for career home runs for 33 years with 715, until his record was eclipsed by Barry Bonds during the tainted steroid era. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973, and is the only player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times. He is one of only four players to have at least 17 seasons with 150 or more hits.  At the time of his retirement, Aaron held most of the game’s key career power records.

 Hank Aaron’s MVP Season, 1957

 In 1957, Hank batted .322, placing third, and led the league in home runs (44) and RBIs (132). He also scored 118 runs, and posted a .378 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging average. On September 23, 1957, Aaron hit a two-run game-ending home run in Milwaukee, clinching the pennant for the Braves and was carried off the field by his celebrating teammates. Milwaukee went on to win the 1957 World Series against the Yankees. Aaron did his part by hitting .393 with three homers and seven RBI.

In his last season, Hank became the last major leaguer to have played in the Negro Leagues. The Sporting News ranked him fifth on its list of the “100 Greatest Baseball Players” in 1999. In 1982, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. 

It’s hard to put in words the impact the “promising young rookie” named Hank Aaron had on the game and the legacy he left us. It’s safe to say we will probably never see his likes again. With his passing coming just a few days after Martin Luther King Day, let’s all do our part to honor the memory of this great man, Hank Aaron, by recalling the words of Dr. King: “Judge a man not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.” Hank Aaron was a great ballplayer for sure, but we can remember him as an even greater man.

Gary Livacari