Hank Aaron

Birthday: 5 February 1934, Mobile, Alabama, USA

Birth Name: Henry Louis Aaron

Height: 183 cm

Baseball's all-time home run king, Hank Aaron did more than hit home runs. Sure, Aaron led the National League (NL) four times, he also was a two-time batting champion and led the league in RBIs four times and runs scored three times. He won the NL's Most Valuable Player award in 1957 and has a lifetime batting average of .305. Aaron got his start playing for the Indianapolis Clowns, of the Negro Leagues before signing on with the Milwaukee Braves. He played at their minor league team in Eau Claire, Wis., one of the first black players there, and was brought up by the Braves in 1954. For the next 23 years, Aaron clobbered Major League pitchers. Never a charismatic player, Aaron often let his bat do the talking. He was the subject of intense media scrutiny in 1973-74 when he approached Babe Ruth's hallowed home run record. Aaron received more than 10,000 letters (most of them hate mail and even death threats) during the off-season claiming he should not break the record. Ever the ultimate professional and gentleman, he ignored the insults and slurs and went about the opening season in 1974. On April 8, 1974, Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Ruth's record and in doing so, received the undying support of the fans. He finished with 755 overall before retiring after the 1976 season. Aaron was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1982, and now works in the front office for the Atlanta Braves. Show less «

I'm hoping someday that some kid, black or white, will hit more home runs than myself. Whoever it is...Show more »

I'm hoping someday that some kid, black or white, will hit more home runs than myself. Whoever it is, I'd be pulling for him. Show less «

I never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you're inferior, it makes you wonder if ...Show more »

I never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you're inferior, it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you've never seen before. If they do, I'm still looking for it. Show less «

I have always felt that although someone may defeat me, and I strike out in a ball game, the pitcher...Show more »

I have always felt that although someone may defeat me, and I strike out in a ball game, the pitcher on the particular day was the best player. But I know when I see him again, I'm going to be ready for his curve ball. Failure is a part of success. Show less «

I don't feel right unless I have a sport to play or at least a way to work up a sweat.

I never smile when I have a bat in my hands. That's when you've got to be serious. When I get out on...Show more »

I never smile when I have a bat in my hands. That's when you've got to be serious. When I get out on the field, nothing's a joke to me. I don't feel like I should walk around with a smile on my face. Show less «

It took me 17 years to get 3000 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course.

You got to play 150 games a year, so pick your spots. You can miss two games a month; so pick the da...Show more »

You got to play 150 games a year, so pick your spots. You can miss two games a month; so pick the days you're gonna be hurt, or you're gonna rest or you're gonna have a drink or two. The rest of the time, be on that field. Show less «

In baseball, there is something electrifying about the big leagues. I had read so much about [Stan M...Show more »

In baseball, there is something electrifying about the big leagues. I had read so much about [Stan Musial], [Ted Williams], [Jackie Robinson]. I had put those guys on a pedestal. They were something special. I really thought they put their pants on different, rather than one leg at a time. Show less «

I looked for the same pitch my whole career, a breaking ball. All of the time. I never worried about...Show more »

I looked for the same pitch my whole career, a breaking ball. All of the time. I never worried about the fastball. They couldn't throw it past me, none of them. Show less «

Roger Maris lost his hair the season he hit 61; I still have all my hair, but when it's over, I'm go...Show more »

Roger Maris lost his hair the season he hit 61; I still have all my hair, but when it's over, I'm going home to Mobile and fish for a long time. Show less «

I don't want them to forget [Babe Ruth], I just want them to remember me!

You can only milk a cow so long, and then you're left holding the pail.

Guessing what the pitcher is going to throw is 80% of being a successful hitter. The other 20% is ju...Show more »

Guessing what the pitcher is going to throw is 80% of being a successful hitter. The other 20% is just execution. Show less «

Hank Aaron

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