Hank Aaron

The legendary homerun hitter Hank Aaron studied at Central High School where he played outfield and third base and helped lead the team to the Mobile Negro High School Championship for 2 years.

In 1951, Aaron debuted in the minor league after baseball scout Ed Scott signed the budding talent to a contract for the Indianapolis Clowns, and Aaron proved a worthy investment as he helped the Clowns win the 1952 Negro League World Series.

He then was invited by two MLB teams, New York Giants and Boston Braves with Aaron choosing the latter. Aaron was assigned to the Eau Claire Bears where he played 87 games, scoring 89 runs with 116 hits, 9 home runs, and 61 RBI. Aaron was later promoted to the Jacksonville Tars where Aaron led the league in runs with 115 runs, 208 hits, 36 doubles, 125 RBI and 338 total bases and 0.362 batting average.

In 1954, Aaron made his first spring training start for the Milwaukee Braves playing in left field and hitting a home run, post which Aaron was contracted for the major league with the number five. Aaron made his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds and had some of his best games and best seasons as a major league player, some also with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Being the first player to hit 500 home runs and reach 3,000 hits, Aaron established a National League record of a smashing 733 career homeruns which stood until 2006.

Career Highlights

Hank Aaron was a 25 time All Star selection in the MLB and also won the World Series in 1957.

He received three Golden Glove awards and a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, while his number 44 jersey was retired by the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers.

In 1982 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, while in 1999 at his 65th birthday celebration MLB announced the Hank Aaron Award to be given to honor the best overall offensive performance in the American and National League.

Records

Aaron has a total of 6856 bases, 2297 RBI, 1477 extra base hits and 17 successive seasons with over 150 hits to his credit.