Overshadowed by Mays/Mantle and the legend of Babe Ruth, but he was one of the best ballplayers of all-time and the definition of consistent. Him passing Babe Ruth on the all-time HR list was one of the most significant moments in baseball history.
More career walks than strikeouts. All time leader in RBI and TB.
He's almost underrated because the length of his career and the sheer size of the totals he amassed overshadows how great he was in so many individual seasons.
was one of the greatest and most important athletes in all of sports. I was watching when he broke Babe Ruth's home run record. His achievements transcended sports. In that sense, he was very much like Muhammed Ali and Pelé. He was as much a social and cultural icon as an athletic wonder. RIP. God bless. Prayers to his family and friends.
Had the pleasure of seeing him speak at my father's alma mater when I was younger.
A bunch of baseball HOFers have passed away in the past year. It does not happen every year like this. Seaver, Gibson, Brock, Ford, Kaline, Sutton, Niekro, Morgan, now Aaron. Add in Richie Allen who should have been a HOFer
way before my time, but if you're looking for reasons he was "overshadowed", you probably start with him not playing in a big market and not being on good teams. He played a LONG time and was only in the playoffs 3 times.
Regardless, he's one of the best of all time.
Part of why he was a bit anonymous was that he never had a monster home run season like Mantle's 1956 or Mays' 1965. Never cracked 50 homers in a season. He was incredibly consistent, though. 20+ homers for 20 straight seasons, just incredible. In most of those, he was in the 30s or 40s. Hard to believe he only won MVP once, although he was top 5 eight different years. Maybe it was because he wasn't flashy like some of his contemporaries.
My favorite story about Hank Aaron is from early in his career, when the Braves faced the Yankees in the 1957 World Series. Aaron had just completed the best year of his young career, leading the NL with 44 homers. He comes up to bat, and Yogi Berra starts needling him. "Hey Henry, you're holding the bat wrong. You're supposed to have the label facing towards you so you can read it." Without even turning his head, Aaron replied "Didn't come up here to read, came up here to hit"
Also STILL the all-time leader in RBI (2,297 - average 113 per 162-games), AND all-time leader in total bases (6,856).
This, too. Mike Trout, by many accounts the best ML'er today, has had his best TB seasons of 339, 338 (led the league),328, 303, 302 and on down. (Led the league just that once in TB.)
Aaron led the league 8 times. His best TB seasons: 400, 370, 369, 366, 358, 344, 340, 334, 332, 331, 328, 325, 325, 319, and on.
Just incredible.
Then factor the times in which he played. Not just the very well documented garbage he handled during the run at The Babe's record (that was toward the end of his career, of course). He played in his prime from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s.
Jackie Robinson's historical impact on the game and its culture is much celebrated, and rightly so. Hank Aaron was right there.
wow. another one gone. what a tremendous player, truly
Part of why he was a bit anonymous was that he never had a monster home run season like Mantle's 1956 or Mays' 1965. Never cracked 50 homers in a season. He was incredibly consistent, though. 20+ homers for 20 straight seasons, just incredible. In most of those, he was in the 30s or 40s. Hard to believe he only won MVP once, although he was top 5 eight different years. Maybe it was because he wasn't flashy like some of his contemporaries.
My favorite story about Hank Aaron is from early in his career, when the Braves faced the Yankees in the 1957 World Series. Aaron had just completed the best year of his young career, leading the NL with 44 homers. He comes up to bat, and Yogi Berra starts needling him. "Hey Henry, you're holding the bat wrong. You're supposed to have the label facing towards you so you can read it." Without even turning his head, Aaron replied "Didn't come up here to read, came up here to hit"
It also didn’t help that he played most of his career out of the spotlight until he was challenging Ruth’s record. The Braves only made the playoffs 3 times in his 23 year career, and were not even competitive in most other years. Plus, in an era where playing in a big media market like NY or Chicago made a big difference in the attention you got, he was stuck in Milwaukee and then Atlanta.
Also STILL the all-time leader in RBI (2,297 - average 113 per 162-games), AND all-time leader in total bases (6,856).
This, too. Mike Trout, by many accounts the best ML'er today, has had his best TB seasons of 339, 338 (led the league),328, 303, 302 and on down. (Led the league just that once in TB.)
Aaron led the league 8 times. His best TB seasons: 400, 370, 369, 366, 358, 344, 340, 334, 332, 331, 328, 325, 325, 319, and on.
Just incredible.
Then factor the times in which he played. Not just the very well documented garbage he handled during the run at The Babe's record (that was toward the end of his career, of course). He played in his prime from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s.
Jackie Robinson's historical impact on the game and its culture is much celebrated, and rightly so. Hank Aaron was right there.
Not only that, I don't believe he ever surpassed the 50 HR mark in a single season. Instead he got to 755 by consistently hitting HRs in the 30's and 40's his entire career. For my generation, one of the biggest "Where were you" moments was the night Hank surpassed the Babe's career HR record. It was truly an exciting event to witness.
... was steadfast in his belief that Aaron was the best player he ever saw. An efficient and underrated defensive player and base runner, and unrivaled consistency year after year. RIP.
My friends and I used to absorb all things Braves growing up in the 80s. None of us saw him play, but we studied all things Braves (Atlanta and Richmond). We considered him mythical and certainly the ultimate Brave.
He signed a baseball for me when I was around 10 years old. I was awestruck, even though, I only said hi and got an autograph.
5 normal seconds for him was a lifetime memory for me.
The real GOAT depends on who you talk to. Aaron is viewed as the best by many old-timers ... and by Mickey Mantle. I’m not saying who the GOAT is between Mays and Aaron because I never saw any of them, but it’s interesting to hear there’s a split.
is actually underrated by many. I have heard him referred to as a compiler, I rarely hear him included in best ever conversations (before today), etc. Sure, he played a long time and never hit 50 HRs. But, that is the extent of the argument?
He was not just consistent; he was consistently great. 20 seasons of 20+ HRs? That is unreal. Again, he may not have hit 50, but he was routinely over 30 and 40 (15 seasons over 30 by my count, 7 of them consecutively). That isn't compiling. That is just awesome...and hitting over .300 while never striking out even 100 times? That is just insane. And his defense and baserunning are often overlooked. I never saw him play, but from what I've read and heard, he was just a complete player. He may or may not have been the best ever. But, he certainly belongs in that conversation.
this snippet from Joel Sherman's column says it all about him as a
"For 20 years from 1955-74 — twenty years — Aaron averaged a .311 average with 36 homers, 107 RBIs, 102 runs, a .951 OPS and 148 games played with no DH spot as respite. He appeared in 25 — twenty-five — All-Star Games."
He was a great gentleman as well.
When I was a little kid, my dad worked for the same company as
Frank Torre. This was when Joe Torre was managing the Braves. Frank was a senior VP and my dad was the fleet manager. Dad did a favor for him to get some options on Frank's company car. In return, Frank asked his brother Joe to get Dad a ball autographed by some of the players to give to me. When Dad told me about it, I was kind of "meh" - I was a Yankees fan, what did I care about some Braves?
Then, when I got the ball, it had all of the 1983 Braves, which was pretty cool. I was floored, though, when I saw the name in the middle of the seams - Henry Aaron. Even at age seven, I knew that was something special.
RE: When I was a little kid, my dad worked for the same company as
Frank Torre. This was when Joe Torre was managing the Braves. Frank was a senior VP and my dad was the fleet manager. Dad did a favor for him to get some options on Frank's company car. In return, Frank asked his brother Joe to get Dad a ball autographed by some of the players to give to me. When Dad told me about it, I was kind of "meh" - I was a Yankees fan, what did I care about some Braves?
Then, when I got the ball, it had all of the 1983 Braves, which was pretty cool. I was floored, though, when I saw the name in the middle of the seams - Henry Aaron. Even at age seven, I knew that was something special.
Also STILL the all-time leader in RBI (2,297 - average 113 per 162-games), AND all-time leader in total bases (6,856).
This, too. Mike Trout, by many accounts the best ML'er today, has had his best TB seasons of 339, 338 (led the league),328, 303, 302 and on down. (Led the league just that once in TB.)
Aaron led the league 8 times. His best TB seasons: 400, 370, 369, 366, 358, 344, 340, 334, 332, 331, 328, 325, 325, 319, and on.
Just incredible.
Then factor the times in which he played. Not just the very well documented garbage he handled during the run at The Babe's record (that was toward the end of his career, of course). He played in his prime from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s.
Jackie Robinson's historical impact on the game and its culture is much celebrated, and rightly so. Hank Aaron was right there.
Not only that, I don't believe he ever surpassed the 50 HR mark in a single season. Instead he got to 755 by consistently hitting HRs in the 30's and 40's his entire career. For my generation, one of the biggest "Where were you" moments was the night Hank surpassed the Babe's career HR record. It was truly an exciting event to witness.
Few images from my childhood I remember as vividly as watching that ball clear that fence. I was 11, and I Remember there had been the build up to that moment the entire offseason too. I even remember the billboard beyond the fense.."think of it as money"...and of course the two guys who got on the field and ran with him from 2nd to 3rd base:). Different times...think those guys maybe would be dealt with a bit differently nowadays.
RE: RE: When I was a little kid, my dad worked for the same company as
Indeed. Dad knew Frank fairly well and said he was the consummate gentleman.
Sadly, time has not been kind to many of my autographed balls - a lot of the signatures on the Braves ball are really faded now, depending on which pen was used. Some are still very bold and visible, some are pretty faded. Aaron's is fairly faded, alas.
My DiMaggio ball is the worst - barely visible anymore, unfortunately.
Some great post above. Hank Aaron was something special
Grew up in the 60's when baseball was full of heroes. Hank Aaron was a quiet giant who hit continuously until he retired. My guy Mantle and Mays got the press because they had tremendous ability and charisma but Henry had tremendous ability, longevity, and an unassuming demeanor. In my years, an Aaron card was as meaningful as a Mantle or Mays card. I watched on TV when he hit number 755 and was very happy for him. Hammerin' Hank was a great role model in sports. RIP.
RE: RE: RE: When I was a little kid, my dad worked for the same company as
Indeed. Dad knew Frank fairly well and said he was the consummate gentleman.
Sadly, time has not been kind to many of my autographed balls - a lot of the signatures on the Braves ball are really faded now, depending on which pen was used. Some are still very bold and visible, some are pretty faded. Aaron's is fairly faded, alas.
My DiMaggio ball is the worst - barely visible anymore, unfortunately.
That's too bad. I have a Hank Aaron ball that was given to my father from his boss many years ago. It came in a lucite case so it's kept nicely.
"Hammerin Hank" had the best hands I have seen from a
hitter's perspective! He was an ICON among the many icons
who have passed away recently in the baseball world.
I would like MLB to consider retiring his #44, he was that
special of a player and human being.
Aaron was really underrated in his playing days. He was certainly appreciated for his prodigious power, but not for his hitting ability in general (led the NL 2x in BA), his fielding or baserunnning. And to perform like he did with the awful pressure put on him was simply remarkable. RIP.
He's almost underrated because the length of his career and the sheer size of the totals he amassed overshadows how great he was in so many individual seasons.
And an incredibly classy gentleman, to boot. RIP
A bunch of baseball HOFers have passed away in the past year. It does not happen every year like this. Seaver, Gibson, Brock, Ford, Kaline, Sutton, Niekro, Morgan, now Aaron. Add in Richie Allen who should have been a HOFer
What a world we live in...
RIP to great legend, but more to a humble and great man.
Immortal.
So correct.
☹️
way before my time, but if you're looking for reasons he was "overshadowed", you probably start with him not playing in a big market and not being on good teams. He played a LONG time and was only in the playoffs 3 times.
Regardless, he's one of the best of all time.
https://www.ajc.com/news/baseball-great-henry-hank-aaron-86-passes-into-history/J33Z76ZVR5C4BG7A75VIDLZGWY/ - ( New Window )
My favorite story about Hank Aaron is from early in his career, when the Braves faced the Yankees in the 1957 World Series. Aaron had just completed the best year of his young career, leading the NL with 44 homers. He comes up to bat, and Yogi Berra starts needling him. "Hey Henry, you're holding the bat wrong. You're supposed to have the label facing towards you so you can read it." Without even turning his head, Aaron replied "Didn't come up here to read, came up here to hit"
21-time all-star.
Also STILL the all-time leader in RBI (2,297 - average 113 per 162-games), AND all-time leader in total bases (6,856).
This, too. Mike Trout, by many accounts the best ML'er today, has had his best TB seasons of 339, 338 (led the league),328, 303, 302 and on down. (Led the league just that once in TB.)
Aaron led the league 8 times. His best TB seasons: 400, 370, 369, 366, 358, 344, 340, 334, 332, 331, 328, 325, 325, 319, and on.
Just incredible.
Then factor the times in which he played. Not just the very well documented garbage he handled during the run at The Babe's record (that was toward the end of his career, of course). He played in his prime from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s.
Jackie Robinson's historical impact on the game and its culture is much celebrated, and rightly so. Hank Aaron was right there.
My favorite story about Hank Aaron is from early in his career, when the Braves faced the Yankees in the 1957 World Series. Aaron had just completed the best year of his young career, leading the NL with 44 homers. He comes up to bat, and Yogi Berra starts needling him. "Hey Henry, you're holding the bat wrong. You're supposed to have the label facing towards you so you can read it." Without even turning his head, Aaron replied "Didn't come up here to read, came up here to hit"
It also didn’t help that he played most of his career out of the spotlight until he was challenging Ruth’s record. The Braves only made the playoffs 3 times in his 23 year career, and were not even competitive in most other years. Plus, in an era where playing in a big media market like NY or Chicago made a big difference in the attention you got, he was stuck in Milwaukee and then Atlanta.
Not only a great, great ballplayer, but also an equally great man!
21-time all-star.
Also STILL the all-time leader in RBI (2,297 - average 113 per 162-games), AND all-time leader in total bases (6,856).
This, too. Mike Trout, by many accounts the best ML'er today, has had his best TB seasons of 339, 338 (led the league),328, 303, 302 and on down. (Led the league just that once in TB.)
Aaron led the league 8 times. His best TB seasons: 400, 370, 369, 366, 358, 344, 340, 334, 332, 331, 328, 325, 325, 319, and on.
Just incredible.
Then factor the times in which he played. Not just the very well documented garbage he handled during the run at The Babe's record (that was toward the end of his career, of course). He played in his prime from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s.
Jackie Robinson's historical impact on the game and its culture is much celebrated, and rightly so. Hank Aaron was right there.
He signed a baseball for me when I was around 10 years old. I was awestruck, even though, I only said hi and got an autograph.
5 normal seconds for him was a lifetime memory for me.
R.I.P.
The real GOAT depends on who you talk to. Aaron is viewed as the best by many old-timers ... and by Mickey Mantle. I’m not saying who the GOAT is between Mays and Aaron because I never saw any of them, but it’s interesting to hear there’s a split.
My Dad and I met him at an old-timers game back when i was a young kid and he got some field passes from a client. Will never forget that.
RIP
He was not just consistent; he was consistently great. 20 seasons of 20+ HRs? That is unreal. Again, he may not have hit 50, but he was routinely over 30 and 40 (15 seasons over 30 by my count, 7 of them consecutively). That isn't compiling. That is just awesome...and hitting over .300 while never striking out even 100 times? That is just insane. And his defense and baserunning are often overlooked. I never saw him play, but from what I've read and heard, he was just a complete player. He may or may not have been the best ever. But, he certainly belongs in that conversation.
"For 20 years from 1955-74 — twenty years — Aaron averaged a .311 average with 36 homers, 107 RBIs, 102 runs, a .951 OPS and 148 games played with no DH spot as respite. He appeared in 25 — twenty-five — All-Star Games."
He was a great gentleman as well.
Then, when I got the ball, it had all of the 1983 Braves, which was pretty cool. I was floored, though, when I saw the name in the middle of the seams - Henry Aaron. Even at age seven, I knew that was something special.
Then, when I got the ball, it had all of the 1983 Braves, which was pretty cool. I was floored, though, when I saw the name in the middle of the seams - Henry Aaron. Even at age seven, I knew that was something special.
WOW! That's nice. Classy thing to do.
Quote:
21-time all-star.
Also STILL the all-time leader in RBI (2,297 - average 113 per 162-games), AND all-time leader in total bases (6,856).
This, too. Mike Trout, by many accounts the best ML'er today, has had his best TB seasons of 339, 338 (led the league),328, 303, 302 and on down. (Led the league just that once in TB.)
Aaron led the league 8 times. His best TB seasons: 400, 370, 369, 366, 358, 344, 340, 334, 332, 331, 328, 325, 325, 319, and on.
Just incredible.
Then factor the times in which he played. Not just the very well documented garbage he handled during the run at The Babe's record (that was toward the end of his career, of course). He played in his prime from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s.
Jackie Robinson's historical impact on the game and its culture is much celebrated, and rightly so. Hank Aaron was right there.
Not only that, I don't believe he ever surpassed the 50 HR mark in a single season. Instead he got to 755 by consistently hitting HRs in the 30's and 40's his entire career. For my generation, one of the biggest "Where were you" moments was the night Hank surpassed the Babe's career HR record. It was truly an exciting event to witness.
Few images from my childhood I remember as vividly as watching that ball clear that fence. I was 11, and I Remember there had been the build up to that moment the entire offseason too. I even remember the billboard beyond the fense.."think of it as money"...and of course the two guys who got on the field and ran with him from 2nd to 3rd base:). Different times...think those guys maybe would be dealt with a bit differently nowadays.
Indeed. Dad knew Frank fairly well and said he was the consummate gentleman.
Sadly, time has not been kind to many of my autographed balls - a lot of the signatures on the Braves ball are really faded now, depending on which pen was used. Some are still very bold and visible, some are pretty faded. Aaron's is fairly faded, alas.
My DiMaggio ball is the worst - barely visible anymore, unfortunately.
RIP
Quote:
WOW! That's nice. Classy thing to do.
Indeed. Dad knew Frank fairly well and said he was the consummate gentleman.
Sadly, time has not been kind to many of my autographed balls - a lot of the signatures on the Braves ball are really faded now, depending on which pen was used. Some are still very bold and visible, some are pretty faded. Aaron's is fairly faded, alas.
My DiMaggio ball is the worst - barely visible anymore, unfortunately.
That's too bad. I have a Hank Aaron ball that was given to my father from his boss many years ago. It came in a lucite case so it's kept nicely.
hitter's perspective! He was an ICON among the many icons
who have passed away recently in the baseball world.
I would like MLB to consider retiring his #44, he was that
special of a player and human being.