FILE - Hall of Famer Hank Aaron waves to the crowd during Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y., in this Sunday, July 28, 2013, file photo. 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, Jan. 22, 2021. He was 86. The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was given. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

Hank Aaron Passes Away at 86

Harrison Smajovits January 22, 2021 MLB 347 Views

To some, he is still the home run king. But to all, Hank Aaron will forever remain a legend.

Aaron passed away this morning at the age of 86. His passing led to a wave of appreciation for his contributions to the game and the world.

Hank Aaron is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and will forever be remembered as the man who broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record.

FILE – In this April 8, 1974, file photo Atlanta Braves’ Hank Aaron hits his 715th career home run in Atlanta Stadium to break the all-time record set by the late Babe Ruth. 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, Jan. 22, 2021. He was 86. The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was given. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway, Jr., File)

As he closed in on the record in 1974, Aaron faced racism and death threats. But he pushed on, hitting 715 home run on April 8, 1974.

As Aaron rounded second, two men, both white, jumped on to the field and ran with Aaron as he reached third base. He was met by his teammates, family and the press as he reached home plate. He was relieved the journey was over, but no one could take this achievement away from him–even his record of 755 home runs was surpassed by Barry Bonds in 2007.

But, like was stated before, some still he Hank Aaron as the true king.

FILE- In this March 29, 2017, file photo, Hank Aaron looks at his new statue in Monument Garden at SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, after the unveiling ceremony in Atlanta. 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, Jan. 22, 2021. He was 86. The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was given. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)

Along with 755 home runs, Aaron batted .305 and collect 3,771 hits and 2,297 RBIs. To give more perspective to Aaron’s accomplishments, if you remove all of his home runs, he still is a member of the 3,000 Hit Club.

His total RBIs are also still a record, and he holds the other following records:

  • 6,856 career total bases
  • 1,477 career extra-base hits
  • 25 career all-star appearances

 

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About Harrison Smajovits

Harrison is a sports coordinator at ESPN 98.1 FM/850 AM WRUF. He served as a beat writer for Florida Gators football for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He also contributes to WRUF's Gainesville Sports Center segments and makes appearances on the Clash on Harp on Sports. Harrison has been a content writer for WRUF since January 2019 as well.

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