He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. Aaron was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1982, and now works in the front office for the Atlanta Braves. Home run number seven-hundred fourteen (714) tied Babe Ruth and seven-hundred fifteen (715) made Hank Aaron the all-time home . [64] Babe Ruth's widow, Claire Hodgson, denounced the racism and declared that her husband would have enthusiastically cheered Aaron's attempt at the record. The cars were later recovered.[98]. READ MORE: When Hank Aaron Passed the Babe, Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruths all-time home run record, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/aaron-sets-new-home-run-record. The next day, he made history back home. [89], Despite being publicly and professionally known as "Hank," Aaron preferred to go by his given name, "Henry. This one has been a long time in the making. Statistic Description: Home Runs Hit/Allowed. 1:28. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is one of only two players to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times.[1]. [30], In 1953, the Braves promoted him to the Jacksonville Braves, their Class-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League. During the strike-shortened season of 1972, Aaron tied and then surpassed Willie Mays for second place on the career home run list. It was the only inside-the-park home run of his career. [94], Sablica also encouraged him to "attend Mass every Sunday" during Spring Training, to which he responded with the racist realities of the day: "[In Bradenton], they won't let me go to Mass. The stadium's street number is 755, after Aaron's total number of home runs; the 755 street number was retained for Turner Field's replacement, Truist Park. [57] Aaron finished the season with 673 career home runs. Baseball's all-time home run king, Hank Aaron did more than hit home runs. [35] Two days later, one of the children died. That same year, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top offensive players in each league. "And he'll hit almost anything, so you have to be careful. But two other men were enshrined in history with him - Clifford Courtenay and Britt Gaston. [124], When the city of Atlanta was converting Centennial Olympic Stadium into a new baseball stadium, many local residents hoped the stadium would be named for Aaron. After the game, Aaron said his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season. I resented it, and I still resent it. 714. Aaron owned Hank Aaron BMW of south Atlanta in Union City, Georgia, where he included an autographed baseball with every car sold. Braves management wanted him to break the record in Atlanta and was therefore going to have Aaron sit out the first three games of the season. Hank Aaron Home Runs By Season | StatMuse Hank Aaron went yard 13 times in his rookie season in 1954. Hank Aaron, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, died Friday at age 86. On July 13, Aaron hit a home run in the All-Star Game (played at Detroit's Tiger Stadium) for the first time. [11] Although he appeared in just 87 games, he scored 89 runs, had 116 hits, nine home runs, and 61 RBIs. But he was more than just a religious friend of mine, he was a friend because he talked as if he was not a priest sometimes." The 20 home runs Aaron hit in 1974 were the third-most ever by a player 40 or older. [146][147], The Elite Development Invitational, a youth baseball tournament organized by the Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association to increase diversity in the sport, was renamed the Hank Aaron Invitational for the 2019 season. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth 's legendary record of 714 homers. [37] On April 13, Aaron made his major league debut and was hitless in five at-bats against the Cincinnati Reds' left-hander Joe Nuxhall. The Braves opened the season on the road in Cincinnati with a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. His average was .319, .007 behind the leader. It's gone! Serving from 1979 to 1990, Thatcher was the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century. He was also named The Sporting News NL Player of the Year. During his career, Aaron performed at a consistently high level for an extended period of time. Braves announcer Milo Hamilton, calling the game on WSB radio, described the scene as Aaron broke the record: Henry Aaron, in the second inning walked and scored. 06-14-1952 | Aaron is signed by Boston Braves as a slick fielding second baseman and wins the Northern . He then changed his number to 44, which would turn out to look like a "lucky number" for the slugger. He played right field for the Milwaukee Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. [28] A teammate later said, "the man ate pork chops three meals a day, two for breakfast". His daughter told. He and his wife first became interested in the faith after the birth of their first child, whom they baptized immediately. Actually, the Buddhist tradition that celebrates his birthday on April 8 originally placed his birth in the 11th read more, On April 8, 1944, Russian forces led by Marshal Fyodor Tolbukhin attack the German army in an attempt to win back Crimea, in the southern Ukraine, occupied by the Axis power. Although Hammerin Hank specialized in home runs, he was also an extremely dependable batter, and by the end of his career he held baseballs career record for most runs batted in: 2,297. He was 86 Sure, Aaron led the National League (NL) four times, he also was a two-time batting champion and led the league in RBIs four times and runs scored three times. Hank has 3,771 hits and even at the end of 1973 season (his 20th season) he still had 3,509 hits before breaking Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974. Even as a kid, the irony of it hit me: here we were in the capital in the land of freedom and equality, and they had to destroy the plates that had touched the forks that had been in the mouths of black men. The fireworks are going. Postal Service for receiving more mail (930,000 pieces) than any person excluding politicians. Aaron grew up in a poor family. "[31] Aaron's time with the Braves did not come without problems. [3] Aaron's ability as a hitter can be illustrated by his still having over 3,000 hits even without counting any of his home runs. Another fun one: Aaron started this season at 713 and the Braves opened the season on the road. [23] As a result of his standout play with the Indianapolis Clowns, Aaron received two offers from MLB teams via telegram, one from the New York Giants and the other from the Boston Braves. Here's how Duane Kuiper called the historic moment: Before Bonds, Aaron had held the record since April 8, 1974, when he hit his. [126], He was honored before the third game of 2021 World Series. He started play as a 6ft (180cm), 180lb (82kg) shortstop,[22] and earned $200 per month. At age 37, he hit a career-high 47 home runs during the season (along with a career-high .669 slugging percentage) and finished third in MVP voting for the sixth time. "On April 8, 1974, when Atlanta Braves' Henry 'Hank' Aaron hit his 715th home run to eclipse the record held by Babe Ruth, there was hardly any celebration. Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth. During the 1936 season, Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees terrorized the Cleveland Indians by slamming fourteen home runs against the club a Major League record for most home runs against the same team in a season. He could run, too: He retired with 240 career steals and was only the third player,. Aaron spent his 23-year big league career with two organizations. "He's going to swing and he'll go after almost anything," Maglie said of the Braves' slugger. He would create his own bats and balls out of materials he found on the streets. That year, he also played in his last and 24th All-Star Game (25th All-Star Game selection[47]); he lined out to Dave Concepcin as a pinch-hitter in the second inning. Similarly, the point where Aaron's 715th homer landed, upon breaking Ruth's career record in 1974, is marked in the Turner Field parking lot. [136], In 2002, Aaron was honored with the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. He led the league with 44 home runs and 130 RBIs and finished third in batting average. After touching home plate he was carried off the field by his teammates. [121] In 1988, Aaron was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame for his time spent on the Eau Claire Bears, Milwaukee Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers. [7] He was an NL All-Star for 20 seasons and an AL All-Star for one season, and he holds the record for the most All-Star selections (25),[a] while sharing the record for most All-Star Games played (24) with Willie Mays and Stan Musial. [98] In July 2013, media reported that his home was burglarized with jewelry and two BMW vehicles having been stolen. The award was created to honor Vince Lombardi's legacy and is awarded annually to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the coach. [31] He was the corporate vice president of community relations for Turner Broadcasting System, a member of the company's board of directors, and the vice president of business development for The Airport Network. [25], The Howe Sports Bureau credits Aaron with a .366 batting average in 26 official Negro league games, with five home runs, 33 runs batted in (RBIs), 41 hits, and nine stolen bases. The Braves legend, who died Friday at the age of 86, made history while receiving death threats and hate mail on the way to surpassing Ruth in the record books late in his Hall of Fame career, which spanned from 1954-1976. When the stadium was instead named Turner Field (after Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner), a section of Capitol Avenue running past the stadium was renamed Hank Aaron Drive. [65] As the 1974 season began, Aaron's pursuit of the record caused a small controversy. He went on to become one of baseballs first African American executives, with the Atlanta Braves, and a leading spokesperson for minority hiring. [132] In July 2000 and again in July 2002, Aaron threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, played at Turner Field and Miller Park now named American Family Field, respectively. That whole period, I lived like a guy in a fishbowl, swimming from side to side with nowhere to go, watching everybody watch me. [79][80] Over the course of his record-breaking 23-year career, Aaron had a batting average of .305 and 163 hits a season, while averaging just over 32 home runs and 99 RBIs a year. In 1986, Hank Aaron made a guest appearance in "Just Another Fox in the Crowd", episode 30 of Crazy Like a Fox. [18] Aaron was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. However, some observers looked back on Aaron's personal history, pointing out that he had downplayed his own breaking of Babe Ruth's all-time record and suggesting Aaron was simply treating Bonds in a similar fashion. Getty Images Aaron reportedly received 930,000 pieces of mail in 1973 the year before he broke Ruth's record with enough including threats that the. Whats that you say? Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms released the following statement on his death: Derek, our family and I join the nation in sending heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Billye Aaron, the beautiful wife of Henry Hank Aaron for nearly 50 years, and the entire family. 756 to Break Aaron's Record", "Midsummer Classics: Celebrating MLB's All-Star Game", "Hank Aaron praises Barry Bonds for home run record", "Craig Sager's backstory more colorful than his clothes", "Police recover both of Hank Aaron's stolen cars after Atlanta home burglarized", "Milo Hamilton made Hank Aaron's homer itself star of No. [59], Aaron (then age 39) hit 40 home runs in 392 at-bats, ending the 1973 season one home run short of the record. [81] Aaron was then named the Braves' vice president and director of player development. The moment became an iconic one, with the indelible image of Hank Aaron rounding the bases, being joined by two fans between second and third, and then mobbed by his teammates and family at home plate, after breaking Babe Ruths home run record in 1974. [150], In 2022, a recording of the WSB broadcast of the April 8, 1974, BravesDodgers game in which Aaron hit his 715th home run was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry. Aaron Judge broke the A.L. With his second wife, he had one child, Ceci. [48], After the 1976 season, Aaron rejoined the Braves as an executive. [88] Aaron also owned Mini, Land Rover, Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda dealerships throughout Georgia, as part of the Hank Aaron Automotive Group. A crowd of 53,775 people, the largest in the history of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, was with Aaron that night to cheer when he hit a 4th inning pitch off the Los Angeles Dodgers Al Downing. A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth but went on to break the career home run record in the pre-steroids era, died early Friday. I was just a man doing something that God had given me the power to do, and I was living like an outcast in my own country. The book's title is a play on his nickname, "The Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", and the title of the folk song "If I Had a Hammer". Hank Aaron hits home run No. Here's the pitch by Downing. The Hall of Famer holds a host of records, from the most runs batted in (2,297), the most seasons as an. [78], Aaron hit his 755th and final home run on July 20, 1976, at Milwaukee County Stadium off Dick Drago of the California Angels, which stood as the MLB career home run record for 31 years until it was broken in 2007 by Barry Bonds. [49], In 1963, Aaron nearly won the triple crown. A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. Aaron holds the MLB records for the most career runs batted in (RBIs) (2,297), extra base hits (1,477), and total bases (6,856). Aaron's autobiography, I Had a Hammer was published in 1990. [35], Aaron spent the winter of 1953 playing in Puerto Rico. "He taught me what life was all about. Henry Aaron Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com Henry Aaron Name Note: commonly referred to as Hank Aaron Positions: Rightfielder and First Baseman Bats: Right Throws: Right 6-0 , 180lb (183cm, 81kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame MVP 25x All-Star 1957 World Series 3x Gold Glove Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball and I have been privileged to hold this record for 33 of those years. [35] In 1958, Aaron's wife noted that during the off-season he liked "to sit and watch those shooting westerns". [11] His family could not afford baseball equipment, so he practiced by hitting bottle caps with sticks. Hank Aaron & Barry Bonds Retirement (2002)", "Hank Aaron, Home Run King Who Defied Racism, Dies at 86", "Famous Religious Conversions Hank Aaron", "Baseball's home run king Hank Aaron fought racism on and off the field", "Hall of Famer Hank Aaron's death unrelated to Covid-19 vaccination", "Health experts urge confidence in vaccine after superstar's death", "Baseball legend Hank Aaron got virus vaccine earlier in January", "Hall of Famer Henry "Hank" Aaron dies at 86", "Hank Aaron, baseball legend and former home run king, dies at 86", "Private funeral service for Hank Aaron announced", "Tributes pour in honoring the legendary Hank Aaron", "Players, celebrities and fans react to the death of baseball legend Hank Aaron", "Gov. [19], On November 20, 1951, baseball scout Ed Scott signed Aaron to a contract on behalf of the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League, where he played for three months.[21]. By Alyse Shorland, CNN (CNN) - The night of April 8, 1974, Braves outfielder Hank Aaron hit home-run number 715, broke the record held by the legendary Babe Ruth and became, at that time, the home-run leader in baseball. Hank Greenberg, 1938 Tigers: 58; Jimmie Foxx, 1932 Athletics: 58; . Aaron also drove in the 2,000th run of his career and hit a home run in the first All-Star game played in Atlanta. Aaron would finish the season in Atlanta, go back to Milwaukee for two seasons as the Brewers' DH and end his career with 755 home runs. He didnt know what he was taking, he testified, and thought it was all natural. Aaron's first marriage was to Barbara Lucas in 1953. [d] On July 31, 1969, Aaron hit his 537th home run, passing Mickey Mantle's total; this moved Aaron into third place on the career home run list, after Willie Mays and Babe Ruth. [112][113] He also received tributes from former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. The Braves returned to Atlanta, and on April 8, 1974, a crowd of 53,775 people showed up for the gamea Braves attendance record. [86] After Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th home run on August 7, 2007, Aaron made a surprise appearance on the JumboTron video screen at AT&T Park in San Francisco to congratulate Bonds on his accomplishment: I would like to offer my congratulations to Barry Bonds on becoming baseball's career home run leader. Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. Milwaukee went on to win the World Series against the New York Yankees, the defending champions, 4 games to 3. Aaron resided near Atlanta until his death. He's sittin' on 714. Cobains suicide brought an end to a life marked by far more read more, Who killed Laura Palmer? was the question on everyones mind on the night of April 8, 1990, when David Lynchs surreal television drama Twin Peaks premiered on ABC. The moment is still frozen in time: Hank Aaron rounding the bases after hitting his record 715th home run when, suddenly, two young fans ran up from behind to pat him on the shoulder. In 1955 Central High School and Dunbar Jr. High School switched locations; Central High closed in 1970 following desegregation. [148], Atlanta-area sports teams planned to honor Aaron during the 2021 seasons. According to the Hall of Fame 's stats keepers, Aaron leads both leagues in all-time ribbies, with 2.297 runs batted in during his storied career. "A grand jury, a tell-all book and a congressional committee have combined to form a major-league needle puncturing baseball's public image" , reported Chris Jenkins of USA Today in 'Players Admit Steroids Changed Baseball' (USA Today, 03/15/2005) Between February 17, 2005 and March 9, 2005 five-hundred . Former Braves minor league player and sportswriter Pat Jordan said, "Aaron gave [Geraghty] much of the credit for his own swift rise to stardom. Though the Korean War was over, people were still being drafted. The next day, Aaron made his first spring training start for the Braves major league team, playing in left field and hitting a home run. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Ken Severson Former home run record-holder and Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities during commencement for the class of 2011 at Princeton University, in Princeton . [122] The award is given annually to the baseball hitters voted the most effective in each respective league. A few weeks later, his three home runs in the World Series helped his team triumph over the heavily favored New York Yankees. In spite of all of the things that I went through Ive always been able to separate the two, Aaron said in a 2014 interview with CNN. [31], In December 1980, Aaron became senior vice president and assistant to the Braves' president. At the end of the season, Aaron, who had a prior relationship with Brewers owner Bud Selig, requested a trade to Milwaukee. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who battled racial prejudice and hatred on his way to breaking the major leagues' career home run record, has died at the age of 86, the Atlanta . [110][111], US President Joe Biden paid tribute to Aaron by releasing a statement calling him "an American hero". They also painted 44 in the midfield at Truist Park. A seven-time NL MVP, the 43-year-old Bonds hit his 22nd home run of the year. Aaron . [c] In that season, Aaron became the third player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single season, and the first player to record 40 home runs and 30 steals in a season. In 1957, with characteristically little fanfare, Aaron, who primarily played right field, was named the National Leagues Most Valuable Player as the Milwaukee Braves won the pennant. harvnb error: no target: CITEREFBraunsteinWolpin2006 (, Last edited on 23 February 2023, at 14:06, List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders, List of Major League Baseball batting champions, List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders, List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders, List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders, List of Major League Baseball career triples leaders, List of Major League Baseball doubles records, List of Major League Baseball home run records, List of Major League Baseball individual streaks, List of Major League Baseball runs batted in records, "For single seasons, From 1876 to 2008, (requiring HR30), sorted by greatest Seasons matching criteria", "For single seasons, From 1876 to 2008, (requiring H150), sorted by greatest Seasons matching criteria", "Hank Aaron's searing words on the racism he faced should never be forgotten", "Hank Aaron: Baseball icon and civil rights activist dies aged 86", Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation 2013, "Dunbar Creative And Performing Arts Magnet School", "This date in Braves history: Hank Aaron's only inside-the-park homer", "Vin Scully's Call of Hank Aaron's 715th Home Run", "Aaron Gets Reception, Mets Get Trounced, 81", "The Braves Trade Henry Aaron to the Brewers", "July 15, 1975: In Milwaukee, NL wins fourth straight All-Star Game", "Game Over for Liberty's Purchase of Braves from Time Warner", "Braves' Sale Approved by Baseball Owners", "Charles Schwab Super Bowl XXXVI ad feat. And listen to this crowd![69]. This made him one of the first minorities in Major League Baseball upper-level management. Bonds denied the allegations, then later argued ignorance. He led the Braves to another pennant, but this time they lost a seven-game World Series to the Yankees. However, as Aaron was an African American who had received death threats and racist hate mail during his pursuit of one of baseballs most distinguished records, the achievement was bittersweet. The manner of death was listed as natural causes. The Atlanta Braves great, who smashed Babe Ruth's all-time home run record, died Jan. 22. CBS 46 and FOX 5 Atlanta were among those that first reported Aaron's death Friday. That he didnt take human growth hormones, the infamous cream and clear, which turned his Bill Bixby frame into Lou Ferrigno. "[45], Aaron hit .314 with 27 home runs and 106 RBIs, in 1955. Number six-hundred forty-nine (649) was hit on June 10, 1972 and it is significant because it passed Willie Mays and made Hank Aaron the all-time home run leader in the National League. Aaron suffered from arthritis and had a partial hip replacement after a fall in 2014. )[149] Also in Atlanta, the Forrest Hill Academy was renamed the Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy in April 2021. There is also a statue of him as an 18-year-old shortstop outside Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he played his first season in the Braves' minor league system. Bonds surpassed Aaron in 2007 with his 756th home run. She curbed the power of Britains labor read more, On April 8, 1935, Congress votes to approve the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a central part of President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal. Hank Aaron, Major League Baseball's former home-run king and a cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves franchise, died on Friday. There's a new home run champion of all time, and it's Henry Aaron! [119], Aaron was awarded the Spingarn Medal in 1976, from the NAACP. [11] He broke his habit of hitting cross-handed and adopted the standard hitting technique. Atlanta Braves home uniform shirt #44 worn by Hank Aaron on April 8, 1974 when he broke Babe Ruth's career home run record with his 715th homer in the 4th inning vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - B-5.87 (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame Library) Related Hall of Famers To the top Hank Aaron Inducted: 1982 Position: Right Fielder Walter Alston [11] Tommie Aaron, one of his brothers, also went on to play Major League Baseball. [48] He batted .322, placing third, and led the league in home runs and runs batted in. On October 6, Aaron and Lucas married. He was named to the NL All-Star roster for the first time; it was the first of a record 21 All-Star selections and first of a record 25 All-Star Game appearances. As a result, in 1949, at the age of 15, Aaron had his first tryout with an MLB franchise, the Brooklyn Dodgers; however, he did not make the team. [72] He had also said that he would be interested in serving as a team's general manager, someone who would make decisions and not a house boy. Research is still ongoing and we'll continue to publish updates as more information becomes available. 2 all-time, died January 22. [32] The 1950s were a period of racial segregation in parts of the United States, especially the southeastern portion of the country. [86] There was considerable speculation that this was a snubbing of Bonds based on the widespread belief that Bonds had used performance-enhancing drugs and steroids to aid his achievement. [35] In 1958, Aaron hit .326, with 30 home runs and 95 RBIs. Aaron, known as hard working and quiet, was the last Negro league player to also compete in the Major Leagues. The night they met, Lucas decided to attend the Braves' game. . Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934 - January 22, 2021), nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1954 through 1976. The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens werent close in what could be final Hall of Fame chance, If the Yankees lose Aaron Judge, heres how it could happen, Dusty Baker: No debate over true home run king, Aaron Judge hits 62nd home run to break Roger Maris record. [23] On June 12, 1952, Aaron signed with Braves' scout Dewey Griggs. Robinson, who also bats second, homers in his first at-bat in Cleveland's 5-3 win. But the Braves offered fifty dollars a month more. Hank Aaron Significant Home Runs. By the end of the season, he had performed so well that the league made him the unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year. Until then, Aaron had hit most pitches to left field or center field, but after working with Owen, Aaron was able to hit the ball more effectively all over the field. On April 8, 1974, Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Ruth's record and in doing so, received the undying support of the fans. During his time in Major League Baseball, and especially during his run for the home run record, Aaron and his family endured extensive racist threats. But it was Hammerin' Hank's sweet home run swing for which he was best known. He is one of only four players to have at least 17 seasons with 150 or more hits. A young Craig Sager actually interviewed Aaron between third and home for a television station, WXLT (now WWSB-Channel 40) in Sarasota. Sports Illustrated pointedly summarized the racist vitriol that Aaron was forced to endure: Is this to be the year in which Aaron, at the age of thirty-nine, takes a moon walk above one of the most hallowed individual records in American sport? He hit home run number 713 on September 29, 1973, and with one day remaining in the season, many expected him to tie the record. Mickey Owen, the team's manager, helped Aaron with his batting stance. What a marvelous moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world, Scully said. [114], The Atlanta Braves honored Hank Aaron during the 2021 season by including his jersey number 44 on the back of the team caps along with Phil Niekro's jersey number, 35 (who died one month earlier in December 2020).