Aaron, << AIR uhn, >> Hank (1934-2021), was one of the best players in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed the “Hammer” or “Hammerin’ Hank,” Aaron played 23 MLB seasons from 1954 through 1976, nearly all of them with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves . A consistent and powerful hitter, Aaron’s 2,297 career runs batted in (RBI’s) are the most in MLB history. He also ranks second in career home runs (755), third in career hits (3,771) and games played (3,298), and fourth in runs scored (2,174). Aaron was also an outstanding defensive player, winning three Gold Gloves as the best right fielder in the National League (NL). Aaron was an All-Star every season from 1955 through 1975. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. After his playing career ended, Aaron served as an executive in the Braves organization.
Henry Louis Aaron was born on Feb. 5, 1934, in Mobile , Alabama . Aaron’s brother Tommie (1939-1984) also later played for the Braves. Henry began playing semiprofessional baseball while still in high school. After a brief time playing in the Negro leagues , Aaron signed a minor league contract with the Boston Braves in 1952.
The Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953, and Aaron debuted for the team in 1954. Now often called “Hank,” Aaron was named the NL Most Valuable Player in 1957, a season in which he and fellow Braves stars Eddie Mathews and Warren Spahn led the team to a World Series title. The Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966. Aaron’s consistency and durability allowed him to put up remarkable offensive numbers throughout his career. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973, including 8 seasons of 40 or more. He drove in 100 or more runs 11 times, hit .300 or better 14 times, and scored 100 runs or more 15 times. On April 8, 1974, Aaron hit the 715th home run of his career, surpassing Babe Ruth as the all-time MLB home run king. After the 1974 season, Aaron returned to Milwaukee, this time playing for the American League ‘s Brewers . He retired after the 1976 season. Both the Braves and the Brewers retired Aaron’s uniform number, 44.
In 1976, Aaron received the Spingarn Medal , the highest honor given by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) . In 2002, Aaron was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the highest civilian honor awarded by the president of the United States.
In August 2007, San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds hit his 756th career home run, surpassing Aaron on the all-time list. Suspicions of performance-enhancing drug use persistently surrounded Bonds, however, and many still consider Aaron to be the legitimate home run king. Aaron died on Jan. 22, 2021.
