My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging. Hank Aaron
April 8, 1974, is a day that will live in MLB History. Why is that? Well legend Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run to surpass Babe Ruth‘s record. Here are some interesting facts about the Hall of Famer to celebrate this Day in History:
- Played in 25 All-Star games (cnn.com).
- Recipient of Presedential Medal of Freedom in 2002.
- Barry Bonds broke Aaron’s home-run record with 756 home-runs, August 7, 2007.
- According to 755homeruns.com, he hit seventy of his seven-hundred fifty-five (steroid free) home runs while facing pitchers who are now in the National Baseball Hall of Fame (including Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan, and Tom Seaver).Â
- He is also the all-time leader in total bases (6,856), RBI’s (2,297), extra-base hits (1,477).
- He is nicknamed “Hammer”, “Hammerin’ Hank” or “Bad Henry.”
- According to baseballreference.com, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 97.8% of votes in 1982.
- Other awards include: 1956 National League batting title, 1957 National League MVP, 1959 National batting title, and 1970 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.
- He is also the recipient of three Gold Glove awards.
- The highest amount of salary he was paid was $240,000 by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976 at the age of 42.
- According to Dan Schlossberg of USA Today, Aaron averaged 37 home runs per 162 games.
I never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you’re inferior, it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you’ve never seen before. If they do, I’m still looking for it. Hank Aaron
Photo:Â Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports
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