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The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is deeply saddened by the passing of baseball legend Hank Aaron. From his short time in Indianapolis to his record-setting career with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, “Hammerin’ Hank” changed the face of baseball and inspired several generations of fans. He was truly a sports legend.
Aaron is widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His professional baseball career began in 1951 with the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro American League. He played with the Clowns for three months before two Major League Baseball teams came calling. He signed with the Braves.
Aaron’s Major League accomplishments are extensive. He was a 25-time All-Star. He earned three Gold Glove Awards, was a World Series champion, a National League MVP, and four-time home run leader. His number 44 is retired in both Milwaukee and Atlanta. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. Breaking it down by year to show his consistency, Aaron’s accomplishments are mind boggling. Aaron hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973, and is the only player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times. Aaron made the All-Star team every year from 1955 until 1975 and won three Gold Glove Awards. In 1957, he won the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award; the same year the Braves won the World Series, the only Series victory during his career. These stats will grow even more impressive now that Major League Baseball has has announced that games played in the Negro Leagues will be counted as major league games.
Hank Aaron is probably most-remembered for breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974. This historic achievement was not well-received by some. Aaron broke Ruth’s record in the shadow of death threats and hate mail. He faced this opposition with strength and courage.
Aaron continued to change the game after he retired. He served as senior vice president for the Braves as one of baseball’s first Black executives. He became a leading spokesperson for hiring minorities.
“In addition to Hank Aaron’s extraordinary baseball talent, we included him as one of our Sports Legends because of his ability to exhibit great sportsmanship despite the tremendous racism and hardships he faced,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Hank’s life story continues to inspire and challenge children and their grown-ups through interactive programming at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. His likeness is included in the museum’s Old National Bank Sports Legends Avenue of Champions in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience®.
About The Riley Children's Health Sports Legends Experience
The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® is an immersive learning experience that allows children and families to participate in health and fitness activities through sports as they are inspired by some of the greatest athletes of all time. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis partnered with experts from Riley Children’s at Indiana University Health, which operates the only nationally ranked children’s hospital in Indiana, to bring this experience to life. For more information about Riley Children’s Sports Legends Experience, visit www.childrensmuseum.org/sports-experience. For more information about Riley Children’s Health or The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, visit www.rileychildrens.org and www.childrensmuseum.org respectively.
