What You Didn't Know About Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron is one of the greatest baseball players in history, famously breaking Babe Ruth's home run record. Mickey Mantle called him the best ball player of his era, and he's remembered as an icon on and off the field. This is the untold truth of Hammerin' Hank Aaron.

Henry Louis Aaron was born February 5, 1934, to Estella and Herbert Aaron in Mobile, Alabama. Like many Black children of the era, young Henry idolized Brooklyn Dodgers star Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier when Aaron was 13 years old. Aaron told his father he would make the pros before Robinson retired.

At 18 years old, Aaron dropped out of high school after being signed by the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro American League. According to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Aaron spent one season with the Clowns, making $200 a month and batting a league-best .467 average.

Next, his contract was sold to the Braves - at that time still located in Boston but soon to move to Milwaukee - for $10,000. The Braves assigned Aaron to the Eau Claire Bears. In 1953, he became one of the first players to integrate the South Atlantic league. Playing in the South, Aaron faced a barrage of racist taunts from fans and players.

In the first integrated game in Atlanta, Aaron hit a home run in the first inning, and fans attempted to hit Aaron with rocks, leading to the game being stopped. Still, Aaron won the Most Valuable Player award in his only year in the minors. By 1954, Hammerin’ Hank would be a Major Leaguer.

Watch the video for more of What You Didn't Know About Hank Aaron!

#HankAaron #MLB #Athletes

From Mobile to the Majors | 0:00
Bat does the talking | 1:37
Peer praises | 2:35
Chasing the Babe | 3:39
Hank Aaron vs. the Commissioner | 4:57
April 8, 1974 | 6:29
More than the Home Run King | 8:04
The Civil Rights Movement | 9:47
Post-MLB career | 11:02

Read Full Article: https://www.grunge.com/321934/the-untold-truth-of-hank-aaron/