By
iG Sport
| 22/01/2021 14:02
Hank Aaron, named one of the greatest baseball players of all time (by many the greatest), died in the United States on Friday. Confirmation was given by her daughter to WSB-TV in Atlanta. He was 86 years old.
During his legendary career he was 25 times on the All-Star and won the MVP award in 1957. Aaron made his MLB debut when he was only 20 years old and built a career of 23 years which entered the record books. In 1973 he broke Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs (see video).
Here’s Vin Scully calling Hank Aaron’s 715th Circuit. RIP Hank. pic.twitter.com/B53KqcvVs4
The player retired in 1976 and was nominated for the Cooperstown Hall of Fame in 1982. He is also in the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame and the team retired his “44” uniform.
The mayor of the city of Atlanta mourned the death and called it “devastating.” “Although he is known to the world as ‘Hank Aaron’ because of his incredible record-breaking baseball career, he was the lifeblood of our community,” said Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Among the many highlights of his career, a World Series victory in 1957 – the same year he won the National League MVP. He’s also won three gold gloves, two hitting titles and led home runs in four different years.
Hank ended his career with 755 home runs, a record that spanned decades until Barry Bonds beat him in 2007.
Aaron was a hero until the end of his life. Earlier this month, Hank and his wife Billye went to the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta to get their Covid-19 vaccine, hoping to inspire other black Americans to follow.
