Hank Aaaron was a legendary figure in sports and was an inspiration to even the greatest of athletes such as Muhammad Ali who Ali himself said he idolized “more than myself.” He became known to the world as “Hammerin’ Hank.”
Legendary Atlanta Brave and Major League Baseball record holder Hank Aaron died Friday at the age of 86, according to Aaron’s daughter.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, on Feb. 5, 1934, Henry Louis Aaron was one of eight children born to Herbert and Estella Aaron.
Aaron had his first major league tryout as a 15-year-old with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.
Although he did not make that team, he did make an impact and returned to school to get his diploma.
The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was given.
Aaron made his last public appearance less than two weeks ago when he received the COVID-19 vaccine.
On April 8, 1974, before a sellout crowd at Atlanta Stadium and a national television audience, Aaron broke Ruth’s home run record with No. 715 off Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Check out the reactions to the passing of the icon on social media below.
We are devastated by the passing of Hammerin’ Hank Aaron, one of the greatest players and people in the history of our game. He was 86. pic.twitter.com/bCvLOydGBZ
— MLB (@MLB) January 22, 2021
#Braves’ chairman Terry McGuirk released the following statement on the passing of Hank Aaron. pic.twitter.com/zAuqaKdraw
— Matthew Aung (@MatthewS_Aung) January 22, 2021
RIP Hammerin’ Hank. 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/QC5hWYp4Gf
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 22, 2021
RIP to a legend, a hero, an all time great player and person, terrible day for sports, RIP Hammerin Hank Aaron #755 #hankaaron pic.twitter.com/TXrGY9vhWr
— Bronx Bombers Beat (@bomberbeat2) January 22, 2021
