- Born
- Died
- Birth nameHenry Louis Aaron
- Nicknames
- Hammerin' Hank
- The New Sultan of Swat
- The Hammer
- Height1.83 m
- Baseball's all-time home run king, Hank Aaron did more than hit home runs. 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. He won the NL's Most Valuable Player award in 1957 and has a lifetime batting average of .305. Aaron got his start playing for the Indianapolis Clowns, of the Negro Leagues before signing on with the Milwaukee Braves. He played at their minor league team in Eau Claire, Wis., one of the first black players there, and was brought up by the Braves in 1954. For the next 23 years, Aaron clobbered Major League pitchers. Never a charismatic player, Aaron often let his bat do the talking. He was the subject of intense media scrutiny in 1973-74 when he approached Babe Ruth's hallowed home run record. Aaron received more than 10,000 letters (most of them hate mail and even death threats) during the off-season claiming he should not break the record. Ever the ultimate professional and gentleman, he ignored the insults and slurs and went about the opening season in 1974. On April 8, 1974, Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Ruth's record and in doing so, received the undying support of the fans. He finished with 755 overall before retiring after the 1976 season. Aaron was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1982, and now works in the front office for the Atlanta Braves.- IMDb mini biography by: Ken Severson
- SpousesBillye Aaron(November 12, 1973 - January 22, 2021) (his death, 1 child)Barbara Lucas(October 6, 1953 - February 1971) (divorced, 5 children)
- ChildrenGary AaronLarry AaronDorinda Aaron
- ParentsEstella Pricehet AaronHerbert Aaron Sr
- RelativesTommie Aaron(Sibling)
- His home run record
- Number 44 jersey with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers
- It needs to be mentioned that when Aaron finally mentioned the hate mail publicly he was receiving concerning his run for the career home run record, he was immediately flooded with supportive fan mail from all over which eventually far outnumbered the negative letters. Among his supporters included Babe Ruth's widow who publicly denounced Aaron's hecklers and stated that her husband would have enthusiastically cheered on Aaron's attempt at the record.
- Atlanta Braves Career Games Played Leader(3,076).
- Of the 16,000+ men who have played in the major leagues, his name is alphabetically first.
- Achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout in the Mobile, Alabama Boy Scouts.
- Member of 1957 World Series Champion Milwaukee Braves team. Member of 1958 National League Champion Milwaukee Braves team. Member of 1969 National League Western Division Champion Atlanta Braves team.
- It took me 17 years to get 3000 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course.
- You can only milk a cow so long, and then you're left holding the pail.
- I have always felt that although someone may defeat me, and I strike out in a ball game, the pitcher on the particular day was the best player. But I know when I see him again, I'm going to be ready for his curve ball. Failure is a part of success.
- I never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you're inferior, it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you've never seen before. If they do, I'm still looking for it.
- I don't feel right unless I have a sport to play or at least a way to work up a sweat.
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