Hank Aaron
Signing with the Milwaukee Braves and reaching the majors in 1954, Aaron quickly emerged as a consistent power and average hitter. He won the NL MVP in 1957 while leading the Braves to a World Series title. He became a star in 1957, the year he carried Milwaukee to its championship over the Yankees.
Mobile to Milwaukee
Born in Mobile, Alabama, Aaron played in the Negro Leagues before signing with the Braves and reaching the majors in 1954. His smooth swing and quick wrists quickly made him one of the game's most reliable hitters.
Chasing the Babe
Aaron's quiet consistency added up over two decades, and on April 8, 1974, he passed Babe Ruth with his 715th home run. He persevered through racist threats to finish with 755, a record that stood for 33 years.
An Enduring Legacy
Beyond home runs, Aaron retired as baseball's all-time RBI and total bases leader and made 25 All-Star teams. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982, he became a respected executive and civil rights advocate until his death in 2021.
Career Timeline
- 1934Born in Mobile, Alabama
- 1954Debuts with the Milwaukee Braves
- 1956Wins first National League batting title
- 1957Wins NL MVP and World Series with Milwaukee
- 1966Braves relocate with Aaron to Atlanta
- 1970Collects his 3,000th career hit
- 1974Hits 715th home run, passing Babe Ruth
- 1976Hits final home run, number 755, then retires
- 1982Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
- 2021Dies at age 86 in Atlanta
Biggest Hits
- Aaron received racist hate mail and death threats as he chased Babe Ruth's home run record in 1973 and 1974.
- He held the career home run record of 755 for 33 years until Barry Bonds surpassed it in 2007.
Portrait: Unknown author · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons