Henry Aaron
Description
"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.
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Content
1 - Henry Aaron, Bill Johnson
2 - Henry "Hank" Aaron: Growing Up in Mobile, Alabama ,Dr.George Bovenizer
3 - Henry Aaron of the Indianapolis Clowns - 1952, Alan Cohen
4 - Henry Aaron in Eau Claire, Tim Rask
5 - Trial By Fire: Henry Aaron's 1953 Season with the Jacksonville Braves in the Sally League, Bill Pruden
6 - Henry Aaron in Puerto Rico, Tony S. Oliver
7 - Henry Aaron Found Hitting in New Orleans to His Liking, Richard Cuicchi
8 - Henry Aaron and Brother Tommie Aaron, His Baseball Teammate, Richard Bogovich
9 - Henry Aaron and His Managers, Mark Sternman
10 - Eddie Mathews: A Powerful Partner, Dan Schlossberg
11 - Henry Aaron, All-Star, Robert Grant Price
12 - The Hammer Hits the Road: A New Look at Henry Aaron's Home Run Record, Eric Marshal White
13 - Henry Aaron in the World Series, Bill Pruden
14 - "Move Over, Babe (Here Comes Henry)": A Musical Tribute to Hank Aaron and the Nostalgia Movement of the 1970s, George Boziwick
15 - Aaron and Oh: Global Home Run Kings and Goodwill Ambassadors, Bill Staples Jr.
16 - Aaron and the Strike, Dan Schlossberg
17 - How Hank Aaron Helped Brian Snitker, Dan Schlossberg
18 - Ted Williams on Hank Aaron, Ted Williams
19 - Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, Luis Blandón
Plus recaps of 23 significant games from his career including:
20 - May 25, 1952: Hank Aaron's Star Shines Bright in the Northern New York Sky, Alan Cohen
21 - April 1, 1953: Red Sox Pummel Sally League Jacksonville Braves but Young Henry Aaron Shines, Bill Pruden
22 - April 23, 1954: Braves and Cardinals Go 14 Innings, Hank Aaron Belts His First Homer, David Krell
23 - April 25, 1954: Hank Aaron Goes 5-for-6 in His Breakout Game, Chris Betsch
24 - May 21, 1954: Braves Win as Hank Aaron Hits First Career Game-Winning Home Run, Andrew Heckroth
25 - September 4, 1955: Henry Aaron reaches 100-RBI milestone for the first time, John Shorey
26 - May 22, 1956: Four-hit night in Brooklyn points resurgent Aaron toward first career batting title, John Fredland
27 - July 14, 1956: Braves Beat Dodgers, 3-2; Sweep Four Games; Aaron's Fourth Hit Wins In 10th Inning, Dave Lande
28 - September 23, 1957: Hank Aaron's walk-off home run gives Milwaukee Braves the flag, Alan Cohen
29 - September 24, 1957: "Hammerin' Hank" Smashes First Grand Slam of Career, William M. Vines
30 - August 10, 1958: Four-hit night in Brooklyn points resurgent Aaron toward first career batting title, Gary Belleville
31 - April 21, 1959: Hank Aaron belts out three hits, marking seven consecutive games with at least two hits to open the season, Mike Huber
32 - June 12, 1962: Aaron Brothers Lead Braves' Hit Parade in 15-2 Hammering of Dodgers, Richard Cuicchi
33 - July 27, 1963: Aaron Drives Reds Dizzy, Dennis Degenhardt
34 - September 17, 1965: Aaron's two home runs boost Braves to their final win in Milwaukee, Tom Schott
35 - June 8, 1966: Henry Aaron's 2-HR, 6-RBI game powers Braves past Mets, Tim Odzer
36 - May 10, 1967: Henry Aaron hits only inside-the-park home run of career, but Braves lose on passed ball, Mike Huber
37 - May 21, 1967: Aaron outshines Clemente, Pirates with two homers, assist, John Fredland
and many more.
