Hank Aaron is a popular retired African American professional baseball player. He is known for playing in the Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1954 to 1976 and was ranked fifth in 100 Greatest Baseball Players list. He made his reputation by hitting over 24 home runs every year.

Henry Louis Aaron was born on February 5, 1934 in Mobile, Alabama to Estella and Herbert Aaron, Sr. One of his seven siblings, Tommie Aaron, also joined Major League Baseball. Aaron grew up in a poor family and could not afford actual baseball equipment. Thus he practiced with sticks and bottle caps and later made himself a bat and ball out of junk material he found on the streets. He studied at Central High School and since the black schools did not have baseball team he played outfield. One of his strengths was his cross-handed batting which rendered him a power hitter.

At the young age of fifteen, Aaron found himself with the opportunity of having tryouts with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Though, he could not make it in the team. Thereupon, he went on to attend a private high school in Alabama, the Josephine Allen Institute and completed his secondary education. At first he joined the Pritchett Athletics and then an independent Negro league team, the Mobile Black Bears. In 1951, Aaron signed a contract with baseball scout Ed Scott, thus began his minor league career with the Indianapolis Clowns. His outstanding performance garnered him two offers from the New York Giants and Boston Braves. He chose Boston team over New York since they were paying fifty dollars extra and later regretted missing the opportunity to be team mates with Willie Mays with New York team.

Hank Aaron was no exception to the racial discrimination that was flourishing in twentieth century America. He recounted an incident when his team was in Washington D. C. waiting out the rain in a restaurant. After they finished eating, he heard the plates breaking in the kitchen because those were touched by the blacks. If the cutlery was used by the dogs it would have been washed

BlackFacts Details

Spingarn Medal: Henry Aaron

Science Facts

Black People Facts

Barack Obama Facts

Amazing Grace: President Obama's Bold and Moving Speech on Race in Charleston