
(Atlanta, GA) — The former home run king in Major League Baseball, Henry “Hank” Aaron, is dead at 86.
“Hammerin’ Hank” was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1934 and spent time in the Negro Leagues and the Minor Leagues on his way to debuting in the Majors at the age of 20 in 1954.
Hank Aaron, the prodigious slugger and reluctant civil-rights icon whose 755 home runs stood as the MLB record for more than three decades, has died at 86 https://t.co/m7ZuAT9aMq
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) January 22, 2021
Aaron spent the majority of his Major League career with the Braves organization, in Milwaukee from 1954 to 1965 and Atlanta from 1966-1975. He would return to Milwaukee to play for the Brewers his final two seasons. Aaron joined the Braves for Spring training here in South Florida. The Atlanta Braves have spent 72 consecutive years in Florida for Spring Training.
Aaron was a 25-time All-Star from 1955 to 1975, and won three gold gloves, two National League batting championships, and led the league in home runs and RBIs four times each.
The slugger passed the iconic Babe Ruth in home runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 8, 1974.
Super Sky Point to the great Hank Aaron, the man who overcame hate and prejudice to do the unthinkable: chase down Babe Ruth and his legendary mark of 714 career home runs. Let’s relive that magic night in Atlanta one more time. Thank you, Hammer. #RIP pic.twitter.com/eGbIEjF4Yc
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 22, 2021
Aaron was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 with 755 career home runs. Even after his playing days, Aaron remained active in the game and was an ambassador for baseball throughout his life.