Hank Aaron.Photo: Bettmann/Getty
Baseball legendHank Aaronhas died. He was 86.
The Hall of Famer and former Atlanta Braves player “passed away peacefully in his sleep,” the Atlanta Braves confirmed in a statement on Friday.
Continuing, McGurik wrote, “We are heartbroken and thinking of his wife Billye and their children Gaile, Hank, Jr., Lary, Dorina and Ceci and his grandchildren.”
“Hank Aaron was one of the best baseball players we’ve ever seen and one of the strongest people I’ve ever met,” Obama wrote in a statement. “Humble and hardworking, Hank was often overlooked until he started chasing Babe Ruth’s home run record, at which point he began receiving death threats and racist letters—letters he would reread decades later to remind himself ‘not to be surprised or hurt.’ "
“Hank never let the hatred he faced consume him. Henry Louis Aaron was a joyful man, a loving husband to Billye, and a proud father of six children who will deeply miss him,” he continued. “Laura and I send them our condolences and our thanks for sharing this great man with our country.”
“With the passing of Hank Aaron, baseball has lost one of its greatest heroes, America has lost an inspiring role model and philanthropist, and I have lost a wonderful friend,” Clinton wrote in his statement. “After retiring, Hank was an important fixture in Atlanta’s civic life, as he and his wife, Billye, continued to advocate for civil rights and create opportunities for underprivileged young people to pursue their dreams.”
Aaron was recently seen in public getting the first dose of thecoronavirusvaccine, and encouraged Black Americans to do the same. (Before being released to the public, vaccine-makers went through large, lengthy clinical trials to ensure that their productis completely safe. On Sept. 8, nine of the leading vaccine makers — including Pfizer and Moderna — signed a pledge vowing to follow “high ethical standards” and not rush a vaccine into production before it is proven to work.)
“I don’t have any qualms about it at all, you know. I feel quite proud of myself for doing something like this,” he told theAssociated Pressat the time. “It’s just a small thing that canhelp zillions of people in this country.”
“I was proud to get the COVID-19 vaccineearlier today at Morehouse School of Medicine,” he added on social media. “I hope you do the same!
Hank Aaron.Louis Requena/MLB via Getty
Hank Aaron.Getty
Before earning his claim to fame as the “Home Run King” for breaking Babe Ruth’s record, Aaron played for the Negro American League’s Indianapolis Clowns in 1951.
He made his major league debut at only 20 years old with the Milwaukee Braves and eventually claimed the Northern League’s Rookie of the Year Award.
In his second season with the Milwaukee Braves — which later became the Atlanta Braves — Aaron hit 27 home runs, a number of which only increased throughout his career.
According to NBC-affiliateWXIA, Aaron hit 700 of his record-breaking 755 home runs from 1955 to 1973 and surpassed Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs in April 1974.
Hank Aaron.Kevin C. Cox/Getty
Aaron has earned nearly every title in the book — he was the National League MVP in 1957, one-time world champion, two-time National League batting champion, three-time Golden Glove winner, four-time RBI champion and four-time home run champion.
Not to mention he represented the Braves at the All-Star games 25 times, a record that remains untouched.
Aaron retired in 1976 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame six years later.
source: people.com
