- Byname of:
- Henry Louis Aaron
- Awards And Honors:
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002)
- Baseball Hall of Fame (1982)
- Spingarn Medal (1976)
- Most Valuable Player (1957)
- Baseball Hall of Fame (inducted 1982)
- Beacon Award (2009)
- Gold Glove Award (National League; 1960)
- Gold Glove Award (National League; 1959)
- Gold Glove Award (National League; 1958)
- Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1970)
- Most Valuable Player Award (1957)
- National Baseball Hall of Fame (1982)
- Player of the Month Award (1967)
- Player of the Month Award (1959)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002)
- Silver Bat Award (Bud Hillerich Award; 1959)
- Silver Bat Award (Bud Hillerich Award; 1956)
- Sporting News Player of the Year Award (1963)
- Sporting News Player of the Year Award (1956)
- Willie, Mickey and the Duke Award (2013)
- Notable Family Members:
- son of Herbert Aaron
- son of Estella Aaron
- married to Billye Aaron (1973–2021 [his death])
- married to Barbara Lucas (1953–1971)
- father of Ceci Aaron
- father of Gaile Aaron
- father of Dorinda Aaron
- father of Lary Aaron
- father of Gary Aaron
- father of Hank Aaron, Jr.
- brother of Tommie Aaron
- brother of James Aaron
- brother of Gloria Aaron
- brother of Alfredia Aaron
- Education:
- Josephine Allen Institute
- Height:
- 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
- Weight:
- 180 lb (82 kg)
- Bats:
- right-handed
- Throws:
- right-handed
- Jersey Number:
- 44
- Debut Date:
- April 13, 1954
- Last Game:
- October 3, 1976
- World Series:
- won 1957
- lost 1958
- Published Works:
- "I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story" (1991; with Lonnie Wheeler)
- "Home Run: My Life in Pictures" (1999; with Dick Schaap)
- "Hitting the Aaron Way" (1974; with Joel Cohen)
- Twitter Handle:
- @HenryLouisAaron
Hank Aaron
-
Who was Hank Aaron?
Hank Aaron (1934-2021) was a professional American baseball player who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1954 to 1976, mostly with the Braves in Milwaukee and Atlanta. He surpassed batting records previously set by legendary players such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Stan Musial.
Aaron's MLB records include 1,477 extra-base hits and 2,297 runs batted in. He hit 755 career home runs, a record that stood until broken by Barry Bonds in 2007. After retiring in 1976, Aaron became an executive with the Atlanta Braves. In 1995, he and his wife founded the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What sport did Hank Aaron play?
Hank Aaron was a professional baseball player whose major-league career spanned 23 seasons (1954–76). He played for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League, the Boston Braves, the Milwaukee Braves (now the Atlanta Braves), and the Milwaukee Brewers. Predominantly an outfielder, Aaron was selected for 25 All-Star Games. In 1957, he led his team to victory in the World Series and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
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What was Hank Aaron most famous for in baseball?
Hank Aaron was most famous for breaking Babe Ruth's long-standing record of 714 career home runs. On April 8, 1974, he hit his 715th home run while playing for the Atlanta Braves, marking a historic moment in baseball. As Aaron approached the record, he faced racist threats but persevered to become the all-time home run champion, solidifying his place in baseball history. He retired in 1976 with a total of 755 home runs. After his baseball career, Aaron became an executive for the Braves.
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What challenges did Hank Aaron face during his career?
Hank Aaron faced immense challenges during his pursuit of Babe Ruth's home run record. As he approached the record, he was subjected to a barrage of racist messages and death threats. In a 2014 interview, Aaron recalled feeling isolated during this time, even though he was achieving something great. Despite the struggles of the Atlanta Braves, Aaron continued to excel, earning 25 All-Star Game appearances and three Gold Gloves. On April 8, 1974, Aaron broke Ruth's record with his 715th home run, marking a significant moment in sports history.
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How did Hank Aaron impact the game of baseball?
Hank Aaron significantly impacted baseball, overcoming racial barriers to become one of the game's greatest players. Aaron surpassed records previously held by legends such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Stan Musial.
As he approached Babe Ruth's home run record, Aaron faced racist threats, yet he broke the record on April 8, 1974, marking a historic moment. His achievements paved the way for greater inclusion in baseball, though challenges remained in coaching and administrative roles.
After retiring in 1976, Aaron transitioned to an executive role with the Atlanta Braves. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002 for his civil rights advocacy.
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What did Hank Aaron do after retiring as a player?
After retiring from baseball in 1976, Hank Aaron became an executive with the Atlanta Braves, initially as vice president of player development and later as senior vice president. In 1995, Aaron and his wife Billye established the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, which offers scholarships and grants to children to support youth development. In 2002, Aaron received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring his lifelong advocacy for civil rights in the United States, and in 2024, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced it would add a statue of Aaron.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Hank Aaron (born February 5, 1934, Mobile, Alabama, U.S.—died January 22, 2021, Atlanta, Georgia) was an American professional baseball player who surpassed batting records set by some of the greatest hitters in the game, including Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Stan Musial. Aaron played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1954 to 1976, mostly for the Braves in Milwaukee and Atlanta.
From the Negro leagues to the Braves
Aaron, a right-hander, began his professional career in 1952, playing shortstop for a few months with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League. His contract was bought by the Boston Braves of the National League, who assigned him to minor league teams. In 1954 he moved up to the majors, playing mostly as an outfielder for the Braves (who had moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1953).
In 1956 Aaron won the league batting championship with an average of .328. In 1957, having led his team to victory in the World Series, he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. By the time the Braves moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at the end of 1965, Aaron had hit 398 home runs.
Home run champion
In Atlanta on April 8, 1974, Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s record, which had stood since 1935. Aaron endured racist death threats as he approached the record, and, as he recalled in a 2014 interview, he was simply glad to move forward: “I was being thrown to the wolves. Even though I did something great, nobody wanted to be a part of it. I was so isolated. I couldn’t share it.” After the 1974 season, Aaron was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Aaron retired as a player following the 1976 season and rejoined the Braves as an executive. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 13, 1982. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002, which honored his lifelong advocacy for civil rights in the United States. In 2024 the Baseball Hall of Fame announced it was adding a statue of Aaron.
Aaron’s childhood house has been preserved in Mobile, Alabama, where it was on the grounds of Hank Aaron Stadium from 2008 to 2023.
Notable career statistics
Aaron’s MLB batting records include totals of 1,477 extra-base hits and 2,297 runs batted in. His career home run record of 755 was broken by Barry Bonds in 2007.
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Aaron’s other notable MLB career statistics are 12,364 times at bat (second to Pete Rose) and 2,174 runs scored (fourth all-time, tied with Babe Ruth). His hit total (3,771) is exceeded only by those of Rose and Ty Cobb. Aaron’s lifetime batting average was .305.