Braves Report

Today is one those days that should be remembered for all time in baseball. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record for a career with his 715^th. As a tribute, I write the second part of the History of the Braves series honoring one the most important baseball players in history. Last September, his record was broken by Barry Bonds, but we’ll always remember Aaron as “Hammerin’ Hank”.

Born in Mobile, Alabama on February 5^th, 1934, Henry Louis Aaron was born into a society where African-Americans were not allowed into Major League Baseball, and wouldn’t be for another 13 years. One of his brothers, Tommie, went on to play in the Major Leagues as well, but Hank would be the better player by far. Because his family was poor, Hank practiced baseball by hitting bottle caps with sticks. Before going on to professional baseball, Aaron was also an accomplished football player and had several scholarships to go play football in college. He turned those down and went to play for the Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro League team, and after an outstanding stop, the Boston Braves bought him for $10,000. The next season, the Braves moved to Milwaukee.

Aaron only spent two seasons playing in the minor leagues, and he began his professional career in 1954. In 1955, Hank Aaron made the first of 24 All-Star Games along with 27 home runs. The very next season, Aaron hit .328 and won the NL Player of the Year Award from the Sporting News in his third season. In 1957, Aaron won his only NL MVP award given by the MLB when he hit .322 and led the league in home runs and RBI. Later that season, Aaron and the Braves won the World Series. They would return the following season only to lose against the New York Yankees. Aaron nearly won the Triple Crown in 1963 when he led the NL in home runs and RBI but finished third in batting average. From 1955 to 1973, Aaron would receive votes for the MVP award, but he would only win it once. Along with his 755 HR, Aaron also amassed 2,297 RBI which was also a major league record. Aaron could also hit for average, demonstrated by his .305 career BA and 3,771 career hits. In the field, Aaron was no slouch as he earned 3 Gold Glove Awards.

As his career wound down, Aaron was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in late 1974 for Roger Alexander and Dave May. This trade allowed Aaron to continue his career due to the DH rule. He was honored and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982 with an outstanding 97.8 percent of the votes, second only to Ty Cobb (Who voted against him is something I would like to know). On February 5, 1999 (his 65^th birthday), Bud Selig named an award after Aaron to honor the best offensive player in each league. Also in memory of his outstanding career, two statues stand outside major league parks, one at Turner Field and one at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Since 1989, Aaron has been the senior vice president and special assistant to the president of the Atlanta Braves as well as being the chairman for encouraging minorities into baseball.

Fun Facts:

- Hank and his brother hold the major league record with 768 HR as siblings.

- Made the All-Star team every year from 1955 to 1975.

- Most career extra-base hits (1,477) and total bases (6,856) for a career.

- Last Negro League player to play in the Major Leagues.

- Used to bat cross-handed before adopting the standard technique in the Minors.

- Played shortstop or second base before moving to the outfield in the winter of 1953.