Aaron, Hank

On April 8, 1974, major league baseball star Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run. That home run broke Babe Ruth’s record of 714, which had stood since 1935. Aaron broke several other batting records as well. Because he hit so well he was sometimes called Hammerin’ Hank.

Early Life

Henry Louis Aaron was born on February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama. Even as a young boy Hank hoped to play professional baseball. At age 16 he began playing shortstop with the semiprofessional Mobile Black Bears baseball team.

Career

Aaron began his professional career in 1952. He played a few months as a shortstop with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League. In 1954Aaron joined the Boston Braves of the National League, where he played mostly as an outfielder.

In 1955 Aaron established himself as a star. He had a .314 batting average, 27 home runs, and 106 runs batted in (RBI). In 1957 he helped lead the Braves to their firstWorld Series title.

The Braves moved to Atlanta, Georgia, at the end of 1965, and Aaron moved with them. After the 1974 baseball season, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers of the American League.

Retirement

Aaron retired after the 1976 season with a lifetime batting average of .305. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 13, 1982. At the time he held several career batting records, including 755 home runs, 1,477 extra-base hits, and 2,297 RBIs. His home run record was broken in 2007 by Barry Bonds.