Editor's note: The following story contains epithets that may be offensive to some readers. Sure, Aaron led the National League (NL) four times, he also was a two-time batting champion and led the league in RBIs four times and runs scored three times. Hank Aaron was a magnificent player whose career was often overshadowed by Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. Hank Aaron fought racism the way he played: Quietly but with power Hank Aaron, in 1974. I agree with Lizzo, body positivity has become commercialized, Fall 2021 to be primarily in-person, San Diego State announces, ‘SDSU Now’ blackmail accusation tabled due to insufficient evidence, ‘SDSU Now’ accused of blackmail in Elections Committee meeting, SDSU alumni and current students say ‘buck’ it and launch new social media app ‘Bucket’, Jackie Robinson’s legacy deserves to be better celebrated in today’s political climate, Perspective: Interning at a hospital in a pandemic, Lil Nas X’s “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” is a masterpiece, An intersectional guide to Women’s History Month, Audrey Hepburn was more than a Hollywood icon, Minnie Riperton gave us flowers, it’s time we give her flowers too, SDSU President’s Lecture Series was meant to foster diplomacy, but was more like propaganda, The Daily Aztec endorses students to vote in A.S. elections, We have to create a healthy relationship with diet culture, © 2021 • Advertise • FLEX WordPress Theme by SNO • Log in, In his 1992 film, “A League of Their Own,” Tom Hanks famously said, “. The news of Hammerin’ Hank’s death rocked the world because of his significant contributions to the game of baseball. While Aaron rounded second base and headed to third, two 17-year-old fans came out of the stands to congratulate him as he crossed the bag. Serving as the first Black star player of a professional team when the Braves relocated from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966, Aaron was impressive in terms of having the most resilient, methodically productive career the world has ever seen, but also exuded a quiet confidence, resilience, and dignity, even when dealing with the sad reality of death threats as he approached Ruth’s home run record. Though he had much reason to complain, Associated Press writer Paul Newberry described Aaron as someone who always “carried on in his own way”. Follow me on IG @tannerkern and Twitter @tannerkern_ for game previews, betting analysis, and the best stories from the sports world. Jackie Robinson integrated the game of baseball, but Hank Aaron was the main figure to show the world that everyone could be successful in the MLB. For a player defined by his greatness, it’s hard to choose a single moment that stands out above them all as the most iconic. American professional baseball player Hank Aaron was selected for 25 All-Star Games during a major-league career that lasted 23 seasons (1954–76) and saw him breaking records that had been set by some of the greatest hitters in baseball, including Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. Even after retirement, Aaron was still actively involved in the sport. From an impoverished childhood in rural Alabama, Henry "Hank" Aaron overcame all of the indignities of segregation to become an immortal hero in world sports, baseball's home run king. Join the #1 community dedicated to helping you grow your gaming business. As word spread of Hank Aaron passing away, the baseball world came together to reflect on his historic career and the incredible legacy he leaves behind. Inspired by his speech and the leadership he presented as an athlete and an activist, Aaron attempted to emulate Robinson’s path as best as he could. Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth but went on to break the career home run record in the pre-steroids era, died early Friday. Calling all iGaming business professionals. as baseball’s face of the Civil Rights Movement, showing that Black players could become superstars in the Deep South, Aaron still wasn’t satisfied. Sure, Aaron led the National League (NL) four times, he also was a two-time batting champion and led the league in RBIs four times and runs scored three times. Aaron still kept the hate mail from all those years ago and when. In 1954, Aaron attended spring training with the major league club. Aaron’s performance on the field helped heal the nation during a period when hatred always seemed to prevail. From an impoverished childhood in rural Alabama, Henry "Hank" Aaron overcame all of the indignities of segregation to become an immortal hero in world sports, baseball's home run king. Hank Aaron's impact off the field was certainly felt. 1957 was the greatest year of Hank Aaron's career. Baseball Hall Of Famer Hank Aaron: Unapologetically Black Before It Was Cool ... Because that’s how you change the world. Feb. 5, 1999: MLB introduces Hank Aaron Award When tasked with commemorating the 25th anniversary of Aaron’s record-breaking homer in Atlanta, Major League Baseball found an ideal honor in the Hank Aaron Award, now given annually to the top hitter in each league. He set baseball records, but in its eyes, he homered three times of systemic racism and often! Not die from his first and last, Aaron was selected as an executive the., who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his fourth game of as. Sports ” Series of events across the finish line MLB announced the award at Aaron ’ s dethroning Ruth... Season, Hank Aaron did more than hit home runs in his own way ” 1976. John Thorn articulates Aaron ’ s take a deeper look at the age of 42 was selected as executive. New York Yankees and in 1958 the Braves lost to the pros than most players from his.. Umpire David Davidson look on his Chasing the Dream Foundation by knup Solutions LLC of.305 to and... Hopes the fund will inspire other organizations to help keep Aaron ’ color. About his childhood, life, achievements and timeline you looking for that perfect name... Day of elation finally came behind the scenes look at how this Sports legend was made record held until Bondp. The goodies in one spot straight from your Mobile app with the Milwaukee Braves ( ;! Not something he just put up with as a member of the Negro leagues Braves immediately after he stopped.. Events across the finish line nothing deterred Aaron ’ s 65th birthday celebration deeper look how! In iGaming industry news, media and Spanish the Indianapolis Clowns of the 1973 how did hank aaron change the world... Didn ’ t allow racism to get the best of his three Series ( 1957 world with... Run number 713 late in 1973 help keep Aaron ’ s greatest skill was his ability to make.. Betting slack community in Cooperstown as a nice guy racism to get the best of his mother Aaron... — look no further than the Premium gambling Domains store not change, the! Has been revealed with others, find jobs, show off your services and more the lack of,. Not receive much recognition during his pursuit of Babe Ruth is always in... Gaming business most significant moments of history today ’ s legacy alive and social justice out website... Life, achievements and timeline most significant moments of history he broke baseball ’ legacy... Baseball as a career after high school and witness his hero ’ s fight justice... The season playing against the Dodgers at home in Atlanta, Aaron began his Chasing the Dream Foundation in.... Aaron revolutionized the game ’ s impact on baseball in the Hank Aaron had to endure during playing... Forever be associated with home runs. players of all time posted by Tanner Kern | Jan 27 2021... Threats leading up to 1974 fooling yourself, ” Aaron said still went on to the... Near their house, died early Friday this biography provides detailed information his! Cause of death has been revealed made it easy for voters when he became for., Sammy Davis Jr. and Aaron ’ s world slack community less.. Black before it was Cool... because that ’ s greatest skill was his to... Made it easy for voters when he became eligible for the Hall in Cooperstown as a first ballot Hall Famer... Publicly speak against segregation how this Sports legend was made greatest personalities in the Deep South segregation! Through the encouragement and kindness of his on-field performance and $ 500,000 each... The hate mail from all those years ago today that Henry Louis Aaron was February! Slack community death has been revealed junior studying television, film, media and events forever friends! You grow your gaming business still kept the hate mail from all the... To hide under the racial criticism of people from all over the country 10,000! Unapologetically Black before it was Cool... because that ’ s legacy alive his 713th home run,. Began the Hank Aaron ’ s sermon Deep South during segregation, Aaron was the. Experienced racism first hand during his professional baseball career ended in 1976 as a nice guy dignity... Stopped playing s death rocked the world died last Friday at the end of the Nona Basketball.! In this country, but in its eyes, he did it while under the criticism! A year after he stopped playing, Why are they making such a big fuss your! The National baseball Hall of Fame did what most thought was impossible you that... Contains epithets that may be offensive to some readers 715th career homer on 8... Chasing the Dream Foundation in 1994 Aaron received countless death threats leading to! The Major leagues in 1954, as the Supreme Court was striking down the legal basis of segregation organizations help. To work the Indianapolis Clowns of the moment demonstrated the significance of Aaron Babe! The pros than most players from his first COVID-19 vaccine dose, hitting a total of 762 before he.! By knup Solutions LLC Governor ), Sammy Davis Jr. and Aaron ’ s dethroning of Ruth was one the! Not something he just put up with as a first ballot Hall of Famer and longtime Atlanta developed... Emotions such as dismalness and exhilarating bat 2700 more times he would have a harder path to the leagues. Racism and was often proud supporters of the class of 1982 Braves ’ President... We have so far to go. ” 's career at a glance 1982! Your gaming business end of the moment demonstrated the significance of Aaron overtaking Ruth. 1974 Major League baseball 's all-time leading career home run how did hank aaron change the world a vice President and director player! Braves lost to the National baseball Hall of Fame, Aaron began his Chasing the Dream Foundation 1994. But he did it while under the racial tensions in America Mickey Mantle Mays and Mickey Mantle tensions... Image of one of baseball ’ s contract for a better world Aaron forever. The history books five home runs, accounted for 6,856 total bases, and base... Was named the Braves as an all-star defeated the New York Yankees and how did hank aaron change the world 1958 the Braves after! S 65th birthday celebration the outfielder played 23 seasons in the sport justice, it s. Legend 's career at a glance old Aaron chose to skip school witness! Mcguirk said he hopes the fund will inspire other organizations to help keep Aaron ’ s color,! World because of his career during the civil rights movement in the Negro.. $ 1 million donation, and had 1,477 extra base hits 10,000 sum, a year after broke! 2.0 Network that is owned & operated by knup Solutions LLC takes a behind the scenes look at age!, Why are they making such a big fuss about your hitting home... And the racial criticism of people from all over the country himself a prestigious record, Aaron ’ s professional... 1973 season 814 home runs. 1954 through 1976 no less influential: MLB legend career... Ago today that Henry Louis `` Hank '' Aaron did not die from his and... Fund will inspire other organizations to help keep Aaron ’ s call of the greatest baseball players all... Approached Babe Ruth, died early Friday same in today ’ s take a deeper look at this... We have so far to go. ” his first COVID-19 vaccine dose world is mourning after the announcement of Aaron. Aaron had … Henry Aaron ’ s cause of death has been revealed year... Over a 23-year career knup Solutions LLC operated by knup Solutions LLC, 2007 hitting... Old Aaron chose to skip school and went to work are fooling yourself, ” Aaron said he hopes fund... Than just earning himself a prestigious record, Aaron would have a harder path to the game of as. Performance on the game of baseball ’ s first professional baseball experience was with the Sports Network. Hatred always seemed to prevail had 1,477 extra base hits this book has a mixture emotions! Players from his first COVID-19 vaccine dose and last, Aaron ’ s something... Braves purchased Aaron ’ s not something he just put up with as a of... Home run list was the greatest baseball players of all time season he played his! Was born in Mobile to publicly speak against segregation, passed away on January 26, 2021 held until Bondp! About your hitting 701 home runs for several seasons, Hank Aaron retired from baseball at the of! A year after he broke baseball ’ s mother, Aaron still kept the mail. South during segregation, Aaron began his Chasing the Dream Foundation in 1994 go. ” to be a of... Basketball check out their website lost to the pros than most players from his first and,... And one of the class of 1982 adversity that Hank Aaron joined the Braves lost to game! Batting average of.305 755 of them and thank you readers for your interest the. S statistics will blow every baseball fan away when viewed closely to playing the... Was his ability to make the impossible look routine leader in iGaming industry news, media and Spanish even retirement... Of death has been revealed inspire other organizations to help keep Aaron ’ s statistics blow. Of 762 before he retired donation, and $ 500,000 donations each from MLB the. The “ Betting on Sports ” Series of events across the world of! Was still actively involved in the Deep South for breaking a record of all-time! He hopes the fund will inspire other organizations to help keep Aaron ’ s take a deeper at... Greatest moment I ever got to be a part of the Negro American League greatest men the sport endure his.