Baseball's all-time home run king, Hank Aaron did more than hit home runs. Sure, Aaron led the National League (NL) four times, he also was a two-time batting champion and led the league in RBIs four times and runs scored three times. He won the NL's Most Valuable Player award in 1957 and has a lifetime batting average of .305. Aaron got his start playing for the Indianapolis Clowns, of the Negro Leagues before signing on with the Milwaukee Braves. He played at their minor league team in Eau Claire, Wis., one of the first black players there, and was brought up by the Braves in 1954. For the next 23 years, Aaron clobbered Major League pitchers. Never a charismatic player, Aaron often let his bat do the talking. He was the subject of intense media scrutiny in 1973-74 when he approached Babe Ruth's hallowed home run record. Aaron received more than 10,000 letters (most of them hate mail and even death threats) during the off-season claiming he should not break the record. Ever the ultimate professional and gentleman, he ignored the insults and slurs and went about the opening season in 1974. On April 8, 1974, Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Ruth's record and in doing so, received the undying support of the fans. He finished with 755 overall before retiring after the 1976 season. Aaron was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1982, and now works in the front office for the Atlanta Braves.
Outfielder for the National League's Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-1974) and the American League's Milwaukee Brewers (1975-1976). Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, 1982. While Hank Aaron is proud of his home run record, he prefers to be known for his all time record for the highest number of total bases scored, which he always has regarded to be a more accurate measure of his contribution to the team. Achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout in the Mobile, Alabama Boy Scouts. Was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having received the most "fan" mail sent during his pursuit of Babe Ruth's homerun record in 1974. Unfortunately most of the mail was negative. It needs to be mentioned that when Aaron finally mentioned the hate mail publicly he was receiving concerning his run for the career home run record, he was immediately flooded with supportive fan mail from all over which eventually far outnumbered the negative letters. Among his supporters included Babe Ruth's widow who publicly denounced Aaron's hecklers and stated that her husband would have enthusiastically cheered on Aaron's attempt at the record. Atlanta Braves Career Games Played Leader(3,076). Atlanta Braves Career At Bats Leader(11,628). Atlanta Braves Career Runs Leader(2,107). Atlanta Braves Career Hits Leader(3,600). Atlanta Braves Career Doubles Leader(600). Atlanta Braves Career Homerun Leader(733). Atlanta Braves Career RBI Leader(2,202). Atlanta Braves Career Total Bases Leader(6,591). Atlanta Braves Career Slugging Percentage Leader(.567). Member of 1957 World Series Champion Milwaukee Braves team. Member of 1958 National League Champion Milwaukee Braves team. Member of 1969 National League Western Division Champion Atlanta Braves team. Besides ranking 1st on the all-time home run list with 755, he also ranks 3rd on the list of all-time hits with 3771. He is also one of only 3 players to collect both 3000 hits and 500 home runs in a career. Atlanta Braves All-Time Extra-Base Hits Leader (1,429). Atlanta Braves All-Time Times on Base Leader (4,928). Atlanta Braves All-Time Sacrifice Flies Leader (113). Of the 16,000+ men who have played in the major leagues, his name is alphabetically first. Hit a home run (a grand slam to boot) into the center field bleachers at New York's Polo Grounds against the Mets on June 18, 1962, becoming only the third player ever to do so and one day after Lou Brock accomplished the same feat.