By: William Robinson
Hank Aaron passed away at the age of 86. The Hammer in my mind is the all-time leading home run hitter in baseball. I realize that he doesn’t hold that record but that is a debate for another day. Hank Aaron was a hero. He was one of the most amazing baseball players to ever play the game and the game is much less without having him as it’s ambassador anymore. Hank played 23 seasons in professional baseball and still holds many offensive records in the game. He also was one of the last surviving players who played in the Negro Leagues. He saw the integration of baseball and endured some of the worse racism to ever touch the game as he battled to break Babe Ruth’s home run record. His death is a sad day for all of us.
Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama. He started his career playing for an independent Negro league team after failing his try out for the Dodgers. In 1950 he was signed to the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro League. On June 14, 1952 Hank Aaron signed with the Boston Braves. The Braves along with the Giants were the two teams to offer Hank a contract and the difference between the contracts was 500 dollars. To think Hank Aaron and Willie Mays could have played on the same team if not for 500 dollars. Hank was promoted to the Milwaukee Braves in 1952 and made his big-league debut on April 13th at the young age of 20. Hank Aaron during his career was an All-Star 25 times, an MVP once, 4-time home run leader and 2-time batting champ. He won one World Series title in 1957.
Hank Aaron was one of the all-time greats. To compare him to today’s athlete is a joke as they haven’t had to overcome one iota of one percent of the hardships and adversity that Hank had to overcome. He was around for the integration of baseball a time in which many equally talented baseball players who were black would not succeed due to racism and hatred, yet he persevered. He played in the deep south in Atlanta during the time in which he would break one of the most sacred records in all sports. During that time, he received more hate mail than anyone on the planet. In fact, he got more mail than anyone not named Santa Claus or the president. That mail was overwhelmingly disgusting and hateful and many feared that he would be murdered before he could break the record. The players that we have today are able to play baseball because of this giant and the grace and dignity that he played the game with.
Hank Aaron is the king of baseball and that king is now gone. How do we go on? We fight for his memory. We encourage black players to play the game of baseball. We fight for equality in this world. We fight tooth and nail against systemic racism and we actively try to tear down the barriers that prevent justice and equality in our country. Hank Aaron will be missed but his life should inspire us to be better. It’s time for all of us black or white to stand up and thank Hank Aaron for his example and strive to do better in his name. Thank you, Hank Aaron.