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Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record with 755 career home runs.

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Hank Aaron

Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain

According to Ed Scott Sr., the first African-American scout in Boston Red Sox history, Scott discovered the teenaged Aaron playing in a Mobile softball game. Scott signed Aaron to his first professional contract for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro leagues. By 1952, the 18-year-old player was offered a contract by the Boston Braves. Aaron would go on to play 23 big-league seasons and shatter Babe Ruth's all-time record with 755 home runs over his career.

Bob Feller, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Reggie Jackson, Hank Aaron and Rickey Henderson wave to the crowd on the porch of Hank Aaron boyhood home at the Dedication ceremony at the Hank Aaron Stadium, LCCN2010638103
Bob Feller, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Reggie Jackson, Hank Aaron and Rickey Henderson wave to the crowd on the porch of Hank Aaron boyhood home at the Dedication ceremony at the Hank Aaron Stadium, LCCN2010638103. Image: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Lore & Background

Ed Scott Sr., a talent-spotter for the Negro leagues, discovered the teenaged Hank Aaron playing in a Mobile softball game. According to Ed Scott Jr., his father said, 'If that boy can hit a softball that far, how far can he hit a baseball?' With the help of field manager Bunny Downs, Scott signed Aaron for the Indianapolis Clowns. Aaron went on to play 23 big-league seasons and shattered (in 1974) Babe Ruth's all-time record with 755 home runs over his career. Aaron currently stands second, all time, to Barry Bonds.

Bob Feller, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Reggie Jackson, Hank Aaron and Rickey Henderson wave to the crowd on the porch of Hank Aaron boyhood home at the Dedication ceremony at the Hank Aaron Stadium, LCCN2010638104
Bob Feller, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Reggie Jackson, Hank Aaron and Rickey Henderson wave to the crowd on the porch of Hank Aaron boyhood home at the Dedication ceremony at the Hank Aaron Stadium, LCCN2010638104. Image: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Hank Aaron?

Hank Aaron was an American right fielder who spent 23 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1954 to 1976. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest power hitters the sport has ever produced.

How many career home runs did Hank Aaron hit?

Aaron finished his career with 755 home runs, a total that stood as the MLB all-time record for 33 years after he surpassed Babe Ruth in 1974.

How long did Hank Aaron hold the career home run record?

After breaking Babe Ruth's mark in 1974, Aaron's 755 home runs remained the all-time MLB record until Barry Bonds surpassed it in 2007, a span of 33 years.

What teams did Hank Aaron play for?

He spent 21 seasons with the Braves franchise in the National League (Milwaukee and Atlanta), then closed out his career with two seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League.

Related entries

Named in this entry

Milwaukee BravesPresidential Medal of FreedomAtlanta, GeorgiaTelegramNew York Giants (baseball)Washington, D.C.Farm team

Also in the Codexery

Hank Aaron · Historical Figures

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Babe RuthCy YoungJackie RobinsonLou GehrigWillie MaysWalter JohnsonStan MusialJoe DiMaggioMickey MantlePete RoseNolan RyanSandy Koufax

Related in Baseball & Softball

Babe RuthJackie Robinson

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Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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