Seth Udinski, FISM News

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Henry “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron, Hall of Fame outfielder for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers, died in his sleep on Friday January 22.  He was 86 years old.

Aaron was a true icon of baseball.  He began his career in the Negro Leagues in the early 1950s before signing with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954.  He played 23 seasons in the Major Leagues, almost all of them with the Braves’ franchise, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta.  In 1957, Aaron helped lead the Braves to a World Series championship.  Over the course of his career he became one of the greatest players in the history of baseball.

In his 23 seasons, he won two National League batting titles, three National League Gold Glove awards, and he set a Major League record that still stands today for career runs-batted-in (RBI) with 2,297.  As impressive as these accomplishments were, none could compare to the signature moment of his career. On April 8, 1974, Hammerin’ Hank hit his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time record.  Aaron would finish his career with 755 home runs, a Major League record that stood for over four decades until Barry Bonds passed him in August of 2007.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

Henry Aaron was a man of humility, a silent soldier, and a gentleman who exemplified true baseball talent and class.  He will be missed and remembered by all who love the game of baseball.  Aaron is survived by his wife Billye and six children.