Hank Aaron

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Lore & Background

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.

In Their Own Story

During his 1953 season with the Jacksonville Braves, Aaron led the South Atlantic League in runs (115), hits (208), doubles (36), RBIs (125), total bases (338), and batting average (.362). A sportswriter noted he 'led the league in everything except hotel accommodations,' as Jim Crow laws often forced him to arrange his own housing. That year, he met Barbara Lucas after she attended a game where he singled, doubled, and hit a home run; they married on October 6. His ability to hit for power was established early, but it was his consistency that defined his career. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973. In 1957, he won the NL Most Valuable Player Award as the Milwaukee Braves captured the World Series. His activism was fueled by the extensive racist threats he and his family endured while chasing records, making him a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement.

Reader's Guide

Aaron 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 holds the record with Alex Rodriguez for the most seasons with 30 or more home runs (15). He was an NL All-Star for 20 seasons and an AL All-Star for one season, 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.

Did You Know?

• Aaron broke the long-standing MLB record for career home runs held by Babe Ruth and remained the career leader for 33 years, until Barry Bonds surpassed his total of 755 in 2007.
• He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is one of only two players (the other being Alex Rodriguez) to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least 15 times.
• 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.
• He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.