Hank Aaron

Henry “Hank” Aaron was a giant of American sports and a towering figure in the ongoing struggle for racial equality. Born in Mobile, Alabama, Aaron began his professional career in the Negro Leagues before joining the Milwaukee Braves in 1954. Over 23 seasons, he compiled one of the most statistically brilliant careers in baseball history,755 home runs, 3,771 hits, and a career .305 batting average. His 2,297 RBIs and 6,856 total bases remain major league records. 

His 1974 breaking of Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record was a seismic cultural moment. In the months leading up to this achievement, Aaron received a barrage of hate mail and death threats from those who couldn’t accept a Black man eclipsing a white icon. Aaron’s perseverance in the face of such hostility made him a symbol for the ongoing struggle as much as a baseball legend. He often credited Jackie Robinson for making his own journey possible, and he saw his role as carrying the torch further, broadening the path for those who followed.

In retirement, Aaron became a powerful advocate for opportunity and inclusion, both in baseball and beyond. He worked in the Braves' front office and supported numerous educational initiatives, particularly for Black youth. When he passed away in 2021, tributes poured in from across the world, not just for his athletic greatness, but for the moral clarity with which he lived his life. Hank Aaron wasn’t just a home run king; he was American royalty.