As the 20th anniversary of his home run feat approached in the early 1990s, he told the sports columnist William C. Rhoden of The New York Times, “April 8, 1974, really led up to turning me off on baseball.”
“It really made me see for the first time a clear picture of what this country is about,” he said. “My kids had to live like they were in prison because of kidnap threats, and I had to live like a pig in a slaughter camp. I had to duck. I had to go out the back door of the ball parks. I had to have a police escort with me all the time. I was getting threatening letters every single day. All of these things have put a bad taste in my mouth, and it won’t go away. They carved a piece of my heart away.”
I was perplexed to learn that Mr. Aaron began his career hitting cross-handed (left hand above right hand as RH hitter) yet was still smashing the ball. RIP.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:36 pm:
An all-time great called by an all-time great. Chills indeed
One of the Greatest players, and arguably the greatest offensive player, of all time, at a minimum he is in the top three in my book.
Total class, incredible poise and an amazing post retirement life. His ability to persevere not just as he was about to break Ruth’s record, but throughout his life should be a part of character education everywhere.
A true legend an inspiration, I will miss having Hammerin’ Hank as a part of this world.
Silly observation: There should be a rule that when an iconic player is on the verge of an iconic moment, it is illegal to change over to uniforms that look like pajamas. The Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers never had this problem. Their greats…were dressed in iconic homes or greys. Mr. Cub too hit his 500th in classic Cub uniform (extemely hard to say Cub and Classic in the same sentence for this Sox fan) Grateful the W.S. winning White Sox were back in the classic uniforms.
He’s the all time (nonPED-assisted) home run champ, but his greatness has been somewhat over-looked. Mays, Mantle and other New York-based players got all the attention.
The thing that pops out when you go through his stat lines (and this is true of a lot of the old timers) is how little he struck out relative to todays players. In ‘69 he hit 44 homers, slugged .607, and walked almost twice as often as he struck out (87 to 47.) Absolutely unheard of today.
It’s sad when most anyone dies. But losing Aaron, who was symbolic of so much that was right in baseball and the world, is especially hard. I’m 45 years-old, and he’s been an icon and legend to me my whole life.
- Scott Cross for President - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:54 pm:
@OW -
Thanks for the movie rec. Was just thinking his life story needs a first class biopic.
It is heartbreaking that Aaron and his family were treated as they were. To live under threat of your life and the lives. of your children is a the worst. And all because you were great at what you do.
Agreed. A biopic, like “42” would be one I’d go see. Aaron was one, class personified, far better man than those who had such anger and hate towards him.
Hank Aaron stated his goal as a player was to be the best baseball player he could be. He became the best baseball player anybody could be. Seldom equaled. Never surpassed.
1967 All Star Game, bottom of the 15th, pitching for the National League is rookie Tom Seaver. He looks into the outfield behind him, and from left to right he sees … Aaron, Mays, and Clemente.
@Ducky LaMoore- I just read that Frank Thomas (himself a pretty good right handed hitter) considered Hank to be the greatest of all time. If The Big Hurt says it, you are in good company.
What a legacy he leaves. I am also deeply saddened that he took the COVID vaccine two weeks ago to build trust in it, and now people are coming to conclusions the way they often do.
- MakePoliticsCoolAgain - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 4:11 pm:
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Mankind can almost all gain from finding out more about themselves and
our health and fitness. Selected activities and activity amounts may provide
wonderful advantage to us, and we all have to learn more info about them.
Your blog seems to have given helpful facts which is helpful to various communities and individuals, and I actually
enjoy the sharing your expertise in this
way. https://corporate-chair-massage.blogspot.com/2014/11/university-students-achieve-better-with.html
- Precinct Captain - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:31 pm:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/22/sports/baseball/hank-aaron-dead.html
- Hot Taeks - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:35 pm:
I was perplexed to learn that Mr. Aaron began his career hitting cross-handed (left hand above right hand as RH hitter) yet was still smashing the ball. RIP.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:36 pm:
An all-time great called by an all-time great. Chills indeed
- JS Mill - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:36 pm:
One of the Greatest players, and arguably the greatest offensive player, of all time, at a minimum he is in the top three in my book.
Total class, incredible poise and an amazing post retirement life. His ability to persevere not just as he was about to break Ruth’s record, but throughout his life should be a part of character education everywhere.
A true legend an inspiration, I will miss having Hammerin’ Hank as a part of this world.
Rest in peace Henry Aaron.
- A Guy - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:37 pm:
Saw it live. Still sends chills.
- Dotnonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:40 pm:
Hank Aaron was and will remain the true and natural home run King…for all time.
- SouthSide Markie - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:40 pm:
Like Ernie Banks and a lot of the greater hitters at that time, it was all in his wrists. Amazing.
- A Guy - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:41 pm:
Silly observation: There should be a rule that when an iconic player is on the verge of an iconic moment, it is illegal to change over to uniforms that look like pajamas. The Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers never had this problem. Their greats…were dressed in iconic homes or greys. Mr. Cub too hit his 500th in classic Cub uniform (extemely hard to say Cub and Classic in the same sentence for this Sox fan) Grateful the W.S. winning White Sox were back in the classic uniforms.
- BC - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:43 pm:
He’s the all time (nonPED-assisted) home run champ, but his greatness has been somewhat over-looked. Mays, Mantle and other New York-based players got all the attention.
The thing that pops out when you go through his stat lines (and this is true of a lot of the old timers) is how little he struck out relative to todays players. In ‘69 he hit 44 homers, slugged .607, and walked almost twice as often as he struck out (87 to 47.) Absolutely unheard of today.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:44 pm:
What Aaron had to endure during that career chase, still staggering to think of the pressures and fear.
Thanks, Rich, for sharing this in a Post.
I suggest the documentary “Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream”, Oscar nominated, really well done, worth your time.
A hero, a legend, an icon.
Godspeed.
- bogey golfer - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:45 pm:
Saw it in black and white on the dorm TV. Believe Curt Gowdy did the network call.
A great player. If he had played in New York, he would be in the same breath with Mays and Mantle.
- Dutch - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:52 pm:
It’s sad when most anyone dies. But losing Aaron, who was symbolic of so much that was right in baseball and the world, is especially hard. I’m 45 years-old, and he’s been an icon and legend to me my whole life.
- Scott Cross for President - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:54 pm:
@OW -
Thanks for the movie rec. Was just thinking his life story needs a first class biopic.
- Stu - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:54 pm:
We’ve lost 10 HOFers in the last year…RIP Hank
- JS Mill - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:55 pm:
My all time top 5 rank- In order.
Ruth, Aaron, Mays, Williams, Gehrig.
It is heartbreaking that Aaron and his family were treated as they were. To live under threat of your life and the lives. of your children is a the worst. And all because you were great at what you do.
- SpiDem - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:55 pm:
This was probably my earliest sports memory. My dad actually took photographs of the TV screen to capture the moment.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 12:59 pm:
(Tips cap to - Scott Cross for President -)
Agreed. A biopic, like “42” would be one I’d go see. Aaron was one, class personified, far better man than those who had such anger and hate towards him.
- Steve Rogers - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 1:19 pm:
Aaron has more RBIs than any player in history. Simply one of the best players, period.
Yes, we’ve lost quite a few of my youth’s baseball heroes this last year, Brock, Gibson, Aaron.
RIP Hammerin’ Hank.
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 1:27 pm:
The greatest, most consistent right-handed hitter of all-time. And he did it when the game was a pitcher’s game. RIP Hank Aaron.
- Captain Obvious - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 1:28 pm:
Hank Aaron stated his goal as a player was to be the best baseball player he could be. He became the best baseball player anybody could be. Seldom equaled. Never surpassed.
- Anyone Remember - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 2:14 pm:
1967 All Star Game, bottom of the 15th, pitching for the National League is rookie Tom Seaver. He looks into the outfield behind him, and from left to right he sees … Aaron, Mays, and Clemente.
- JS Mill - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 2:14 pm:
@Ducky LaMoore- I just read that Frank Thomas (himself a pretty good right handed hitter) considered Hank to be the greatest of all time. If The Big Hurt says it, you are in good company.
- Wensicia - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 3:37 pm:
RIP to the all-time home run king, in my opinion.
- Etown - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 3:47 pm:
He is the true all time HR King
Remember watching that night on the black and white tv. Terrific call by another legend Vin Scully
Thanks for sharing Rich.
Thanks for sharing Rich and
- Hyde Parker - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 3:56 pm:
What a legacy he leaves. I am also deeply saddened that he took the COVID vaccine two weeks ago to build trust in it, and now people are coming to conclusions the way they often do.
- MakePoliticsCoolAgain - Friday, Jan 22, 21 @ 4:11 pm:
Sad day for sports fan - RIP to the King.
- BlogSpot - Wednesday, Jan 27, 21 @ 5:39 am:
Mankind can almost all gain from finding out more about themselves and
our health and fitness. Selected activities and activity amounts may provide wonderful advantage to us, and we all have to learn more info about them.
Your blog seems to have given helpful facts which is helpful
to various communities and individuals, and I actually enjoy the sharing your expertise in this way. https://corporate-chair-massage.blogspot.com/2014/11/university-students-achieve-better-with.html
- BlogSpot - Wednesday, Jan 27, 21 @ 5:40 am:
Mankind can almost all gain from finding out more about themselves and
our health and fitness. Selected activities and activity amounts may provide
wonderful advantage to us, and we all have to learn more info about them.
Your blog seems to have given helpful facts which is helpful to various communities and individuals, and I actually
enjoy the sharing your expertise in this
way. https://corporate-chair-massage.blogspot.com/2014/11/university-students-achieve-better-with.html