Hank Aaron Home Run Record

Lore & Background

Aaron hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is one of only two players (the other being Barry Bonds) to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least 15 times. He holds the MLB records for the most career runs batted in (RBIs) (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases (6,856). He is also third all-time for career hits (3,771) and fifth in runs scored (2,174). Aaron is one of only five players to have at least 17 seasons with 150 or more hits, and shares the record with Barry Bonds for the most seasons with 30 or more home runs (15). His ability as a hitter can be illustrated by his still having over 3,000 hits even without counting any of his home runs. Aaron was an NL All-Star for 21 seasons and an AL All-Star for 2 seasons (1975 and 1976 with the Milwaukee Brewers), and he holds the record for the most All-Star selections (25), while sharing the record for most All-Star Games played (24) with Willie Mays and Stan Musial. Aaron was a three-time Gold Glove winner, and in 1957, he won the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award when the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Atlanta Stadium felt heavy with anticipation on that April evening. Hank Aaron stepped into the batter's box, the white lines of chalk crisp under the stadium lights. He adjusted his helmet, ignoring the noise of the crowd and the weight of history behind him. The pitcher wound up, the ball cracked against the bat, and for a moment, time seemed to suspend as the flight began.

Reader's Guide

Aaron was born and raised in and around Mobile, Alabama, one of eight children. He appeared briefly in the Negro American League and in minor league baseball before starting his major league career. By his final MLB season, Aaron was the last former Negro league baseball player on a major league roster. During his time in Major League Baseball, and especially during his run for the home run record, Aaron and his family endured extensive racist threats. His experiences fueled his activism during the civil rights movement. Aaron was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1982 and Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. In 1999, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top offensive players in each league. That same year, he was one of 30 baseball players elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. After his retirement, Aaron held front office roles with the Atlanta Braves, including the senior vice president. He resided near Atlanta until his death in 2021.

Did You Know?

• Aaron broke Babe Ruth's career home run record and finished with 755 home runs, a mark that stood for 33 years until Barry Bonds surpassed it in 2007.
• He is one of only two players (with Barry Bonds) to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least 15 times.
• Aaron holds MLB records for most career RBIs (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases (6,856).
• He was an All-Star for 23 seasons (21 in the NL, 2 in the AL) and played in 24 All-Star Games, tied with Willie Mays and Stan Musial.