RIP Hank Aaron

[Orbison]

RIP to the true HR King

[unde0087]

When Aaron pushed aside Babe Ruth’s revered record of 714 – the most famous number in sports -- it ended a quest during which the slugger endured racist hate mail and threats against his life. On the night Aaron broke the record, his bodyguard stood disguised as a fan, ready with a gun hidden in a binoculars case, and police snipers were on the stadium roof, fortunately showing life-saving judgment when two teenagers jumped out of the stands to join Aaron during his trot around the bases.


Sports Illustrated later reported that Aaron received 930,000 pieces of hate mail in 1973.

“These people feel this is going to be a weak part of me,” Aaron said about the hate mail he began to receive when it became apparent he would threaten Ruth’s record. “They think they’ll upset me with their words or their shouts, that they’ll get me where I can’t do the job. This won’t happen. I don’t like it, but I always do my best. This only makes me more determined.”

No. 715 has been called “the home run that changed America.” After Aaron broke the record, his detractors melted away.


RIP

Him and Jackie Robinson will live forever no matter the haters because of race. Straight class acts and two of the greatest players that will ever step on a baseball field for all of time.

[DiggityDaggityDo]

Damn

RIP

[Mac4Lyfe]

Aaron was a HUGE Browns fan too. He was a consistent member of the Atlanta Browns backers. I'm sure that KC game on Sunday, especially the no call spearing on Sorenson took a few days/years out of him, along with many other Browns fans.

[King Mayan]

RIP to the real Homerun leader

[Buckandadime]

The epitome of class..
RIP Mr. Aaron..

[Mac4Lyfe]

The epitome of class..
RIP Mr. Aaron..

Yep...

[Doug tushyterror]

[pavyracer]

This is a very sad day. A true legend is gone.

[JIBBBY]

Seemed like a good guy. Could sure swing that bat!! RIP.

[RangeFinder]

I got benched a game in Little League because I stayed home from baseball practice to watch Aaron's record breaking HR. Coach was jealous I got to see it live on t.v and he didn't, lol. It was the only time I ever no showed a baseball practice. It was well worth it.

R.I P Hank.

[thetrinity]

All time legend RIP

[jjgold]

Legend

[Ghenghis Kahn]

RIP

I know he was old but I'm pretty certain the shot killed him

[ABEHONEST]

One of the top five and maybe top three players of all time.

Still the MLB RBI king, Hit 714 HR's and batted .305 lifetime.
Super human numbers.
And from what I hear super human person.

RIP to one of the greatest of all time.

I agree at 100%.

[mjsuax13]

Do we still consider him the all time leader or not?

Yes.

[mjsuax13]

Him and Jackie Robinson will live forever no matter the haters because of race. Straight class acts and two of the greatest players that will ever step on a baseball field for all of time.

No doubt. Legends.

[stealthyburrito]

Thank you Hank

[Thrilla]

R.I.P. sir

[Mac4Lyfe]

Tony Jones who was a Browns offensive lineman also died today. He was an undrafted free agent and ended up having an all pro career. Played for Denver later and won 2 superbowls. He shut down Reggie White in one SB. Gentle Giant. Sad day for Browns fans.

[thezbar]

R.I.P.

[Headsterx]

Great player and person!

[PD77]

I’d like to know which vaccine he received. https://outline.com/SBFmFU

https://outline.com/SBFmFU

[unde0087]

RIP to the real Homerun leader

no doubt

[stevek173]

RIP Hank

[pavyracer]

In the year he broke Ruth's record he received more mail than the president of the US and it was all hate mail.

[PD77]

In the year he broke Ruth's record he received more mail than the president of the US and it was all hate mail.

Don’t let facts get in the way of your narrative but “[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)]In 1974, Aaron set the [/COLOR]Guiness World Record[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)] for most fan mail received in one year by a private citizen. That year, the U.S. Postal Department confirmed that Aaron received 900,000 letters, about a third of which "were letters of hate engendered by his bettering of Babe Ruth's career record." .

that’s still no excuse but it was 1974.
[/COLOR]

[Bostongambler]

Awesome person and a great ball player

[crzbrave]

RIP Hank in heaven.