Henry Aaron

"Trying to throw a fastball past Henry Aaron is like trying to sneak a sunrise past a rooster."-Curt Simmons, pitcher Henry Aaron is one of the greatest baseball players of all time, a great humanitarian, and a deserving subject for this in-depth examination of his life and his impact on baseball and the world. This SABR book includes twenty essays examining Aaron's life and career as well as over a dozen detailed recaps revisiting significant games in which he played, from his debut in 1952 to first grand slam with the Braves to his curtain call in Milwaukee in 1976. Born in 1934, one of eight siblings, Aaron first joined the ranks of professional baseball players as a member of the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League. He would eventually play 23 years in the National League, and win three Gold Gloves, one MVP award, and the 1957 World Series with the Milwaukee Braves. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, his first ballot, and to MLB's All Century Team in 1999. Among his many career highlights, on May 17, 1970, Aaron became the first player to compile both 3,000 career hits and more than 500 homers. But the moment that lives indelibly in baseball history took place on April 8. 1974, when he broke Babe Ruth's previously unassailable career record of 714 home runs. As Aaron circled the bases, broadcaster Vin Scully told his audience, "What a marvelous moment for baseball. What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia. What a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol." Hate mail by the bagful followed Aaron during his quest to hit 715 career home runs and pass the legendary Babe Ruth. "Hammerin' Hank" responded with class and a beautiful line-drive swing. He retired with 755 home runs, a .305 batting average, .555 slugging percentage, and .928 OPS. This book represents the collaborative effort of 40 members of SABR, the Society for American Baseball Research.