Hank Aaron Childhood

Henry Louis ‘Hank’ Aaron was born on February 5, 1934 in Mobile, AL. He is the son of Estella and Herbert Aaron. Hank was one of eight brothers and sisters born in a section of Mobile called ‘Down the Bay’, a very poor area of the city where blacks lived. His parents moved their family to a middle class neighborhood years later where Hank got his start in sports. He was a natural athlete playing both baseball and football growing up. 

Hank Aaron High School Stats and Awards

Aaron attended two schools during his high school years. He started out at Central High School. Aaron played both baseball and football while attending Central for two years. Prior to his junior year, he transferred to a private school named Josephine Allen Institute where he graduated from. While attending Josephine Allen Institute, Aaron played semi pro baseball for the Mobile Black Bears.

After graduation Aaron played for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Baseball League. His play helped lead his team to the Negro League World Series. He also caught the eye of the Boston Braves. In 1952, Aaron signed with the Braves, thus becoming the last player to be called up from the Negro League to the Major League. 

Hank Aaron MLB Career Stats and Notes

Aaron made his Major League debut on April 13, 1954. He would play his first 21 years in the league with the Braves organization, spanning three cities (Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta). He got the nicknames such as 'The Hammer' and 'Hammerin' Hank Aaron' due to his power at the plate. In 1975, the 41- year old Aaron returned to Milwaukee but to play for the Brewers. He spent two years with the club before retiring after the 1976 season. He had set several major records including most HRs (755), RBIs (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), total bases (6,856) and was a member of the 3,000 hit club (3,771). Hank was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. 

Hank Aaron Hits 715th HR

Hammerin’ Hank’s consistency allowed him to climb up the all-time HR list with each passing season. From 1955 to 1973, Hank hit 25 or more homeruns in every season except one (24 HRs in 1964). Prior to the 1974 season, Hank stood on the doorstep of history, needing just two homers to become the game’s all-time HR leader, breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 714. 

However, such a moment wasn’t absent of controversy and racism. As Aaron inched closer to Ruth, the hate became an issue. It was just over 25 years since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in MLB. Facing the reality that a black man was about to break the most prestigious record held by the game’s most mythical player didn’t sit well with some fans. Plenty of hate mail and death threats were sent to Aaron. His life was definitely in danger and some thought he might not make it to the 1974 season. Things got so bad the FBI intervened and provided protection for Aaron and his family.

The hate didn't work and in fact, fueled his determination to break the record. He felt this time in history was bigger than himself and baseball. Aaron and the Braves opened the 1974 season on the road at the Cincinnati Reds. Aaron only hit one HR during the series, but it was a monumental one as he tied the legendary Ruth at 714. With a home series up next against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Aaron had a shot to break the record in front of his home crowd.

On April 8, Hank launched a shot into the bullpen in the fourth inning for number 715. As he rounded the bases to cheers and cannon blasts, two fans ran on to the field alongside him. Aaron was startled as he didn't know whether they wanted to hurt him. It turned out they were celebrating the historic moment. From growing up in a poor, poverty stricken neighborhood in the Deep South to the top of MLB’s HR list, Hank Aaron’s climb to baseball immortality was nothing short of legendary.

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