On July 14, 1968, the iconic Atlanta Braves player Henry “Hank” Aaron made history by hitting his 500th home run in a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. With a remarkable 499 career home runs already under his belt, Aaron smashed a three-run shot in the third inning of the game against Giants’ pitcher Mike McCormick, as reported by History.com. The moment was celebrated with Aaron being mobbed at home plate by his teammates and presented with an award by Braves President Bill Bartholomay for his incredible achievement.
But Aaron’s journey began long before that memorable day. Born on February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama, he exhibited extraordinary athletic talent from a young age. In high school, Aaron excelled as a star football player, third baseman, and outfielder. As a teenager, he signed with the Negro League’s Mobile Black Bears, laying the foundation for his future success, as revealed by History.com. At the age of 18, Aaron joined the Indianapolis Clowns in 1952 and played a key role in the team’s victory in the Negro League World Series. The following year, his contract was sold to the Milwaukee Braves of the National League.
April 13, 1954, marked a significant milestone in Aaron’s career. It was the day he became the last former Negro League player to make his debut in the major leagues, according to History.com. This marked the beginning of Aaron’s rise to prominence in baseball. Although he consistently displayed his talent and skills throughout his career, it wasn’t until 1973 that he gained national attention as he closed in on Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs. Many baseball historians consider 1957 to be one of Aaron’s best seasons, during which he achieved a batting average of .322, hit 44 home runs, and secured 132 RBIs. Additionally, he led the Braves to their first World Series Championship since 1914. Aaron continued to make his mark in the following years, hitting 203 home runs between 1969 and 1973, as noted by History.com.
However, it was on April 8, 1974, that Aaron made history yet again, breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record. Facing Dodgers’ pitcher Al Downing, Aaron smashed a 1-0 pitch into the left field bullpen at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, reaching a total of 715 career home runs. This remarkable achievement solidified Aaron as baseball’s all-time home run leader, a record he held until 2007 when Barry Bonds surpassed it with his 756th career home run.
Despite his remarkable career, Aaron remained humble and dignified. Following his record-breaking home run, Rep. Andrew Young, a Democrat from Georgia, honored Aaron’s character, stating that he embodied humility, dignity, and quiet competence throughout his career, as stated by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After the 1974 season, Aaron was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers and retired from playing after the 1976 season. He later rejoined the Atlanta Braves as an executive.
Hank Aaron’s impact on baseball extended beyond his home run record. Throughout his 23-year career, he set numerous records, including most RBIs (2,297) and total bases (6,856). He also holds the records for at-bats, extra-base hits, and runs batted in. Aaron’s contributions to the game earned him the National League MVP award in 1957, as well as three Gold Glove awards and 24 All-Star game appearances. Additionally, he was one of the first African Americans to work in baseball management.
In recognition of his remarkable career, Hank Aaron was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. The plaque in the National Baseball Hall of Fame honors his achievements and highlights his record-breaking 755 home runs, his 20 consecutive years with 20 or more home runs, and his impressive statistics in various categories. In 2010, the Hank Aaron Childhood Home and Museum was established in Mobile, Alabama, to commemorate his legacy.
Sadly, Hank Aaron passed away on January 22, 2021, at the age of 86. His impact on the game of baseball and his contributions to breaking barriers will always be remembered.
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