Hammerin' Hank — the all-time home run record holder for 33 years, who broke Babe Ruth's record while enduring racist death threats, displaying extraordinary courage under pressure.
Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record of 714 on April 8, 1974, hitting number 715 off Al Downing. He finished his career with 755 home runs — the record that stood until Barry Bonds in 2007. His achievement was shadowed by years of death threats and racist abuse as he approached Ruth's record — his grace under that pressure is one of sport's greatest demonstrations of personal courage.
He received so many death threats as he approached Ruth's record that the FBI assigned him a security detail — making him one of the most threatened athletes in American history.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- World Series Champion 1957
- 3x Gold Glove
- NL MVP 1957
- 755 career home runs