Hank Aaron – Hammerin' Hank
Hank Aaron (Henry Louis Aaron), nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank," was one of the greatest baseball players in MLB history. Born February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama, he grew up in poverty during segregation. He began in the Negro Leagues with the Indianapolis Clowns in 1952, then joined the Milwaukee Braves in 1954—one of the last from the Negro Leagues to reach MLB.
He played 23 seasons (1954–1976), mostly with the Braves (Milwaukee → Atlanta), ending with the Milwaukee Brewers. Known for consistency, quiet strength, and power hitting.
- .305 batting average
- 755 home runs (all-time record 1974–2007)
- 2,297 RBI (all-time record)
- 6,856 total bases (all-time record)
- 3,771 hits
Awards: 25× All-Star, 1957 NL MVP, 2× batting champion, 3× Gold Glove, 1957 World Series champ, Hall of Fame 1982 (first ballot).
On April 8, 1974, Aaron hit his 715th home run off Al Downing, surpassing Babe Ruth's 714 amid intense racism—death threats and hate mail simply for being Black and chasing the record.
This moment remains iconic in sports history for grace under pressure and breaking barriers.
Retired with 755 HRs. Later a Braves executive and civil rights advocate. Received Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002). Passed away January 22, 2021, in Atlanta at age 86.
Many still regard him as the true home run king due to later controversies.
