Hank Aaron

Professional Career

Minor Leagues

On June 14, 1952 Aaron's contract was acquired by the Boston Braves for $10,000. He was the last Negro League player to make the jump to the major leagues. Aaron was assigned to the Braves' Class C farm club, the Eau Claire Bears, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where he played second base. He got two line drive singles in his first game and ended the season batting .326, and won the Northern League's Rookie of the Year. He earned $350 a month. In 1953, Aaron, along with Horace Garner and Felix Mantilla, was sent to the Jacksonville Tars to break the color line in the South Atlantic League. Despite enduring non-stop racial epithets and threats, Aaron led the league in runs (115), hits (208), doubles (36), RBI (115), and batting average (.362) to become the league's Most Valuable Player. One writer said, "Henry Aaron led the league in everything except hotel accommodations".

Related Topics:
June 14 - 1952 - Boston Braves - Eau Claire Bears - Eau Claire - Wisconsin - Northern League - 1953 - Horace Garner - Felix Mantilla - Jacksonville Tars - South Atlantic League - Racial epithets - Threats

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To prepare for the big leagues, Aaron played winter ball in Puerto Rico and learned to play the outfield. On March 13, 1954, Braves left fielder Bobby Thomson broke his ankle sliding into second base during a spring training game. The next day Aaron made his first spring training start for the Braves in left field and hit a home run.

Related Topics:
March 13 - 1954 - Bobby Thomson

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Major Leagues

The Early Years

On April 13, 1954, Aaron made his major league debut and went 0-for-5 against the Cincinnati Reds' Joe Nuxhall. In the same game, Aaron's teammate, Eddie Mathews hit two home runs, the first two of a record 863 home runs the pair would hit as teammates. On April 15, 1954 Aaron got his first major league hit, a single off of Cardinals pitcher Vic Raschi. Aaron hit his first Major League home run on April 23, 1954 off of Raschi. Over the next 122 games, Aaron batted .280 (he would not hit that low again until 1966) with 13 homers (he wouldn't go below 20 for the next 20 years) before suffering a broken ankle on September 5.

Related Topics:
April 13 - 1954 - Cincinnati Reds - Joe Nuxhall - Eddie Mathews - April 15 - Cardinals - Vic Raschi - April 23 - 1966 - September 5

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In the following season, Aaron was moved to right field, where he played for most of his career, winning three Gold Gloves. 1955 also saw the first of a record-tying 24 All-Star Games for Aaron – only Willie Mays and Stan Musial appeared in as many All-Star Games. On June 24, 1955, Aaron became the first strike out victim of the Brooklyn Dodgers' future Hall of Famer, Sandy Koufax. Koufax came on in relief for the Dodgers on Milwaukee's County Stadium, pitching two shutout innings and fanning two. Aaron finished the season batting .314 with 27 home runs and 106 RBI.

Related Topics:
Right field - 1955 - All-Star Games - Willie Mays - Stan Musial - June 24 - Brooklyn Dodgers - Sandy Koufax - Milwaukee - County Stadium

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1956 saw Aaron hit .328 to win the first of two NL batting titles. He is also named The Sporting News' NL Player of the Year. Two changes were made in 1957 that had a profound effect on Aaron. First, he went from second in the batting order to fourth, behind Eddie Mathews instead of in front of him, and, second, he switched from a 36-ounce bat to a 34-ounce model. Aaron responded by leading the league with 44 home runs, a career-high 132 RBI, batted .322 and won his only NL MVP Award. During a game on August 15th, Aaron belted his 100th major league home run off of the Reds' Don Gross. On September 23, 1957, Aaron had what he called the best moment of his career. Aaron drilled a pitch from the Cardinals' Billy Muffett for a two-run homer in the 11th inning of a game. It clinched the Braves' first pennant in Milwaukee and Aaron was carried off the field by his teammates. That year, Milwaukee registered its only World Series victory behind right-handed pitcher Lew Burdette, who defeated the Yankees three times. Aaron did his part by hitting .393 with three homers and seven RBI.

Related Topics:
1956 - NL - The Sporting News - 1957 - Eddie Mathews - MVP Award - August 15 - Don Gross - September 23 - Cardinals - Billy Muffett - World Series - Lew Burdette - Yankees

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The Chase is On

Aaron had another spectacular year in 1958 by hitting .326, with 30 home runs and 95 RBI. He led the Braves to another pennant in, but this time they lost a seven-game Series to the Yankees. Aaron picked up his first Gold Glove and finished 3rd in MVP voting. Hall of Famer, Don Drysdale served up the first of seventeen home runs to Aaron on June 29, 1958 ? more than any other pitcher.

Related Topics:
1958 - Don Drysdale - June 29

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On June 21, 1959 Aaron had a single most productive day as a hitter. Against the San Francisco Giants, he hit two-run home runs in the 1st, 6th and 7th inning off of Johnny Antonelli, Stu Miller and Gordon Jones. It was the only time in his career that he would hit three homers in a game. Exactly one month later, on July 21, Aaron appeared on the television show "Home Run Derby." He was paid $30,000 for his appearance ? almost as much as his annual salary. The prize money encouraged Aaron to change his approach in hitting and swing for more homers. Aaron defended his decision by saying, "I noticed that they never had a show called "Singles Derby". Eddie Mathews led the league in home runs with 46 and Aaron led the league in hitting with a .355 average and finished 3rd in MVP voting.

Related Topics:
June 21 - 1959 - San Francisco Giants - Johnny Antonelli - Stu Miller - Gordon Jones - July 21 - Eddie Mathews

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July 3, 1960 saw Aaron hit his 200th home run off of the Cardinals' Ron Kline at Sportsman's Park. On June 8, 1961, Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Joe Adcock and Frank Thomas became the first four players ever to hit successive home runs in a game. Aaron and Mathews went back to back off of Reds' pitcher Jim Maloney. Adcock and Thomas hit theirs off of reliever Marshall Bridges. Despite the unprecedented feat, the Braves lost the game 10-8.

Related Topics:
July 3 - 1960 - Cardinals - Ron Kline - Sportsman's Park - June 8 - 1961 - Eddie Mathews - Joe Adcock - Frank Thomas - Reds - Jim Maloney - Marshall Bridges

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On June 18, 1962, Aaron hit what most consider to be the longest home run of his career -- a 470-foot shot to straight-away center at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Only two other players ever hit a ball there – Joe Adcock in 1953 and Lou Brock, who oddly did it the day before Aaron. On April 19, 1963 he hit his 300th home run off of the Mets' Jay Hook. Aaron just missed winning the triple crown in 1963 by leading the league with 44 home runs and 130 RBI. He finished .007 percentage points behind Tommy Davis in batting. Aaron became the 3rd member of the 30-30 club behind Ken Williams and Willie Mays. He again finished 3rd in the MVP voting.

Related Topics:
June 18 - 1962 - Polo Grounds - New York City - Joe Adcock - 1953 - Lou Brock - April 19 - 1963 - Mets - Jay Hook - Tommy Davis - 30-30 club - Ken Williams - Willie Mays

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On September 20, 1965, Aaron hit the last home run by a Milwaukee Braves player at Milwaukee County Stadium. It came off Ray Culp of the Phillies. The Braves moved to Atlanta the following season and made Fulton County Stadium their new home. Aaron's home run output increased due to the hitter friendly park – later nicknamed "The Launching Pad".

Related Topics:
September 20 - 1965 - Ray Culp - Phillies - Fulton County Stadium

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Aaron hit his 400th home run on April 20, 1966 off Bob Priddy of the San Francisco Giants. On August 23 he homered to set a major league record with Eddie Mathews for most career home runs by teammates (863). The first two batters faced by Nolan Ryan in his career were Mathews and Aaron, on September 11, 1966. Neither of them struck out against Ryan.

Related Topics:
April 20 - 1966 - Bob Priddy - San Francisco Giants - August 23 - Eddie Mathews - Nolan Ryan - Mathews - Aaron - September 11

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In the first game of a double header against the Phillies on May 10, 1967, Aaron hit his only inside the park home run off Jim Bunning. Aaron hit a conventional home run in the second game of the double header off of Larry Jackson.

Related Topics:
Double header - Phillies - May 10 - 1967 - Inside the park home run - Jim Bunning - Larry Jackson

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Aaron hit his 500th home run on July 14, 1968 off Mike McCormick of the San Francisco Giants at Fulton County Stadium. Aaron was just the 8th player to reach the milestone and he did it exactly one year after his former teammate Eddie Mathews did it with the Houston Astros. At the time, Aaron was the second youngest player to ever do so at 34 years, five months and nine days, a year and a half older than the youngest player to do so, Jimmie Foxx.

Related Topics:
July 14 - 1968 - Mike McCormick - San Francisco Giants - Fulton County Stadium - Eddie Mathews - Houston Astros - Jimmie Foxx

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On July 30, 1969 Aaron hit his 537th home run to move into 3rd place on the career home run list, past Mickey Mantle and behind only Willie Mays and Babe Ruth. The Braves marked the first year of division play by winning the West. They Braves were fifth place on August 19, but outplayed the Giants and Reds down the stretch to win the division. Aaron slugged 44 homers and knocked in 97 runs. The Braves lost to the Miracle Mets in the playoffs, three games to none. Aaron and brother Tommie were the first siblings to appear in a League Championship series together as teammates. Aaron finished 3rd in MVP voting.

Related Topics:
July 30 - 1969 - Mickey Mantle - Willie Mays - Babe Ruth - August 19 - Giants - Reds - Mets

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Aaron got his 3,000th career hit off of Reds' Wayne Simpson on May 17, 1970 with a single in the second game of a doubleheader at Cincinnati's Crosley Field, becoming the first player to reach that milestone and hit 500 career home runs. On July 31, he hit a home run against Dave Guisti of the Pirates in Atlanta for this 30th homer of the season, establishing a National League record for most seasons with 30 or more homers (12).

Related Topics:
Reds - Wayne Simpson - May 17 - 1970 - July 31 - Dave Guisti - Pirates

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1971 saw several milestones for Aaron. On April 27 he hit his 600th career homer off the San Francisco Giants' Gaylord Perry in Atlanta. The greatest home run hitter slugged two homers off the greatest strikeout pitcher, Nolan Ryan, the first of which was on May 21, 1971, in Shea Stadium. On July 31 Aaron homered in an All-Star Game for the first time, connecting off Vida Blue in Detroit. He hit his 40th home run of the season against the Giants' Jerry Johnson on August 10, establishing a National League record for most seasons with 40 or more home runs (seven). On September 21, Aaron homered against the Padres' Jay Franklin for his 46th home run of the season – a new career high. Five days later, he hit his 47th home run, the most he hit in a season. He finished 3rd in MVP voting for the 6th time in his career.

Related Topics:
1971 - April 27 - San Francisco Giants - Gaylord Perry - Atlanta - Strikeout - Pitcher - Nolan Ryan - May 21 - Shea Stadium - July 31 - All-Star Game - Vida Blue - Detroit - Jerry Johnson - August 10 - September 21 - Padres - Jay Franklin

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During the strike shortened season of 1972, Aaron tied and then surpassed Willie Mays for second place on the career home run list with home runs on May 31 (648) off of the Padres' Fred Norman and June 10 (649) off of the Phillies' Wayne Twitchell. His home run on June 10 also his 14th grand slam, tying him with Willie McCovey and Gil Hodges for the National League record. On June 28 Aaron hit a two-run homer to tie Lou Gehrig for second place on the all-time RBI list with 1,990. The next day he passes Gehrig with a home run off of the Padres' Mike Caldwell to move into sole possession of second place on the all-time RBI list. Aaron got his 2,000 career RBI when he homered off Astros' Jim York. Aaron tied then surpassed Babe Ruth for the most home runs by a player with a single team when he homered for the 659th time as a Brave on July 19 against the Pirates' Nelson Briles and for the 660th on July 25 against the Reds' Wayne Simpson. At the first All-Star Game in Atlanta, Aaron thrilled the hometown crowd by homering in the sixth inning off the Cleveland Indians' Gaylord Perry. Aaron homered twice against the Phillies to break Stan Musial's major league record for total bases (6,134).

Related Topics:
1972 - Willie Mays - May 31 - Padres - Fred Norman - June 10 - Phillies - Wayne Twitchell - Willie McCovey - Gil Hodges - June 28 - Lou Gehrig - Mike Caldwell - Astros - Jim York - Babe Ruth - July 19 - Pirates - Nelson Briles - July 25 - Reds - Wayne Simpson - All-Star Game - Cleveland Indians - Gaylord Perry - Stan Musial

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Racism and the Record

The chase to beat the Babe heated up in the summer of 1973 and with it the mail. Aaron needed a secretary to sort it as he received more than an estimated 3,000 letters a day, more than any American outside of politics. Unfortunately, racists initially did much of the writing. A sampling:

Related Topics:
Babe - 1973 - Politics - Racist

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"Dear Nigger Henry,You are (not) going to break this record established by the great Babe Ruth if I can help it. ... Whites are far more superior than jungle bunnies. My gun is watching your every black move."

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"Dear Henry Aaron,How about some sickle cell anemia, Hank?"

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The letters came from every state, but most were postmarked in northern cities. They were filled with hate; more hate than Aaron had ever imagined. "This", Aaron said later about the letters, "changed me".

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Aaron hit his 700th home run off of the Phillies' Ken Brett. The 1973 season ended with Aaron at 713 homers after hitting a remarkable 40 in just 392 at-bats. He was 39. The Braves became the first team to have three players hit 40 or more homers in a season. Darrell Evans and Davey Johnson also reached the 40-homer mark.

Related Topics:
Phillies - Ken Brett - Darrell Evans - Davey Johnson

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Over the winter, Aaron endured death threats and a barrage of racist hate mail from people who did not want to see a black man break Ruth's home run record. However, when this harassment became widely known, the ballplayer enjoyed a massive flood of public support motivated at least partially to counter the bigotry. This included Babe Ruth's widow who denounced the racists and declared that her husband would have enthusiastically cheered Aaron's attempt at the record. As the 1974 season began, Aaron's pursuit of the home run record caused a small controversy.

Related Topics:
Death threat - Racist - Bigotry - 1974

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The Braves opened the season on the road in Cincinnati with a three game series. Braves management wanted him to break the record in Atlanta. Therefore, they were going to have Aaron sit out the first three games of the season. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ruled that he had to play two out of three. He tied Babe Ruth's record in his very first at bat, but did not hit another home run in the series. The largest crowd in Braves history (53,775) watched Hank Aaron break the record on April 8, 1974 with a home run in the 4th inning off Los Angeles pitcher Al Downing. The ball landed in the Braves bullpen where reliever Tom House caught it. While cannons were firing in celebration and Aaron rounded the bases, two college students appeared and ran alongside of him before security stepped in. Aaron's mother ran onto the field and into the arms of her son, tears brimming in her eyes. Mrs. Aaron wasn't just proud of her son; she rushed the plate because she thought her son had been shot. On October 2, 1974, Aaron hit his 733rd and final home run as a Brave.

Related Topics:
Cincinnati - Atlanta - Bowie Kuhn - Babe Ruth - April 8 - 1974 - Los Angeles - Al Downing - Tom House - October 2

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One month later, on November 2, 1974, the Braves traded Aaron to the Milwaukee Brewers for Roger Alexander and Dave May. Because the Brewers were an American League team, Aaron could extend his career by taking advantage of the designated hitter rule.

Related Topics:
November 2 - 1974 - Milwaukee Brewers - Roger Alexander - Dave May - American League - Designated hitter

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Aaron broke baseball's all time RBI record on May 1, 1975 and on July 20, 1976 Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final home run off the California Angels' Dick Drago.

Related Topics:
May 1 - 1975 - July 20 - 1976 - California Angels - Dick Drago

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