Happy 85 to Number 44

 
Saluting a man of courage, class and historic talent, Hank Aaron turns 85 today.

The Braves slugger who overtook Babe Ruth's hallowed record with dignity and respect and to many of us, remains the true home run champion, signed with the then Boston Braves in June 1952. Give General Manager John Quinn credit -- he outbid the Giants for the Mobile, Alabama native by $50 a month. Otherwise Aaron would have teamed with Willie Mays, and who knows what heights that duo might have reached.

He reached the majors two years later; by then, the Braves called Milwaukee home. Ironically, his opportunity is linked to another Giants legend -- Bobby Thomson, after being traded to Milwaukee, was penciled in as a starting outfielder until he broke an ankle during Spring Training. That opened the door for Aaron to claim a place in the lineup. He held it for the next 21 seasons. This classic five-tool player led them to a pair of National league pennants, the 1957 World Series title and, after the franchise jumped again to Atlanta, the 1969 NL West title.

Who can forget that April night at Fulton County Stadium in 1974 when at age 40, he crushed an Al Downing pitch and wrote his name in the record books in a rare weeknight game whose significance led to it being televised nationally? The legendary voices who called that historic blast: Curt Gowdy, Milo Hamilton and Vin Scully, all of whom captured the magic of that moment. Amidst a backdrop of still lingering Southern racism, the crowning achievement for his generation of African American baseball pioneers.

After a pair of Milwaukee victory lap seasons with the Brewers, Aaron retired after the 1976 season, with 755 home runs.

These images of Aaron's special display at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown are from my visit in 2012.