The
most prolific home run hitter of all-time, Henry Aaron withstood tremendous
pressure to break Babe Ruth's career record.
Aaron is often overlooked when historians debate the best player of
the 1950s and 1960s. He was a great hitter, winning two batting titles.
He was a very good base runner and had a good arm in the outfield.
His 1957 MVP season led the Milwaukee Braves to the pennant and eventually
their only World Series title. Late in his career, and after his retirement,
Aaron was a vocal leader in support of minority hiring in baseball.
Nicknames "Hammerin' Hank," "Bad Henry" and "The
Hammer"
Post-Season
1957 World Series, 1958 World Series, 1969 NLCS
World Champion?
Yes, 1957 Milwaukee Braves
Honors
All-Star (25): 1955-1975; National League Most Valuable Player 1957;
Gold Glove (3): 1958-1960
Position
Outfield, Milwaukee Braves (1954-1965), Atlanta Braves (1966-1974),
Milwaukee Brewers (1975-1976). Played some center field early in his
career, moved to right field.
W/L Record
In 16 seasons in which he appeared in at least 140 games, Aaron's
teams records were 1,377-1,161 (.548)
Major League Debut: April 13, 1954
Home Run Facts
Ranks first all-time (755); ranks first in NL (733); ranks first among
NL outfielders (661); he and brother Tommie rank first in homers by
siblings (768); combined with Mathews to hit most homers as teammates
(863); he and Mathews are the only teammates to hit 400 homers each
as teammates (442 for Hank, 421 for Eddie); hit 385 in home parks,
370 on the road; hit 185 homers in Milwaukee County Stadium as a Brave,
10 as a Brewer; hit 190 homers in Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium; he
hit exactly 400 solo homers (53%); 242 two-run homers (32%); 97 three-run
homers (13%); 16 grand slams; hit two homers in a game 61 times (3rd,
behind Ruth and Mays); hit three homers in a game once (6/21/1959);
hit 14 extra-inning homers; one inside-the-park home run (1967); three
PH-homers (1962, 1966, 1973); hit 534 homers off RHP (71%); 221 homers
off LHP (29%); victimized 310 pitchers in 32 ballparks; hit three
homers in the World Series and three more in the 1969 NLCS; blasted
two All-Star game home runs.
Milestones
Collected his 3,000th hit off Wayne Simpson (Cincinnati) on May 17,
1970, a single.
FACTOID
The photo on Aaron's 1957 Topps baseball card was accidentally reversed,
so that it shows Hank hitting left-handed.
Brotherly Bats
Hank Aaron and brother Tommie were the first siblings to appear in
a League Championship series together as teammates (1969). In 2002,
Jose and Benji Molina played together for the Angels in the ALCS. Dynamic Duo - Hank Aaron and
Eddie Mathews
Aaron and Eddie Mathews homered in the same game 75 times. That total
is two more than Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and ranks as the all-time
record.
MOBILE, Ala. - The names continue to roll in as famed reliever Bruce Sutter becomes the latest member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame to accept an invitation in paying tribute to the legendary Hank Aaron at the Grand Opening of the Hank Aaron Childhood Home & Museum on Wednesday, April 14 at Hank Aaron Stadium.
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER MUSEUM & FACTORY: 800 W. Main St., Louisville, Ky.; sluggermuseum.org or 502-585-5226 (toll free 877-775-8443). Admission: adults $10; seniors (60+) $9; children (6-12) $5; children 5 and under free.