Hank Aaron Retrospective

SI Staff | Jul 20, 2007

Hank Aaron Retrospective /

Hank Aaron Retrospective

Hank Aaron began his career with the Braves in 1954 in Milwaukee, where the team would play until moving to Atlanta after the 1965 season.

In 1957 Aaron led the Braves to a World Series victory over the Yankees. The Braves would lose a rematch to New York in 1958. Aaron excelled in the postseason, hitting .362 with six homers and 16 RBIs in 17 games, including 14 World Series games.

Aaron joined the 500 Home Run Club in 1968, when he hit 29 homers at the age of 34. Aaron was the first player to amass 3,000 hits and 500 homers, becoming the charter member of a club that also includes Willie Mays, Eddie Murray and Rafael Palmeiro.

In 1969 Aaron led the Braves to their first pennant in Atlanta, winning the NL West by three games over the Giants.

A reflective Aaron prepares for the 1974 season, which he began with 713 career home runs, one shy of Babe Ruth's all-time record.

Aaron tied Ruth on the all-time home run list with this blast against the Reds on April 4, 1974, in Cincinnati.

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn presented Aaron with an award for No. 714.

On April 8, 1974, Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium was packed with a record 53,775 fans as Aaron hit career home run No. 715 in the fourth inning off of Los Angeles pitcher Al Downing.

Aaron watches the flight of home run No. 715, which was caught by Braves reliever Tom House in the bullpen.

House returned the ball to Aaron, who held it aloft.

Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and received votes on 97.8 percent of the ballots, second only to Ty Cobb (98.2). Aaron retired as a player in 1976 and currently works in the Braves' front office.

Published Jul 20, 2007

SI STAFF