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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron
All-time home run king
Hank Aaron Addresses Congress
Hank Aaron's 715th Homerun, to move him past Babe Ruth
Henry Aaron has also been awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal
On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves (b. Feb. 5, 1934, Mobile, Ala., U.S.), hit his 715th career home run, surpassing Babe Ruth's legendary record. However, as an African American player who had received death threats during his pursuit of one of baseball's most distinguished records, the achievement was bittersweet. Nevertheless, the largest crowd in the history of Atlanta Stadium was with him that night to cheer his accomplishment, and on June 18, he was invited to speak before the U.S. Congress. Henry Louis Aaron, Jr., born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1934, entered the major leagues in 1954, just eight years after Jackie Robinson pioneered integrated play. Three years later, with characteristically little fanfare, Aaron was named the National League's Most Valuable Player as the Milwaukee Braves won the pennant. A few weeks later, his three home runs in the World Series helped his team triumph over the heavily favored New York Yankees. Although "Hammerin' Hank" specialized in home runs, he was also an extremely dependable batter, and by the end of his career he held baseball's career record for most runs batted in: 2,297. In 1976, he left the playing field for the Braves' front office, where he became one of baseball's first African American executives and a leading spokesperson for minority hiring. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Mayor Beame Gives Honor To Hank Aaron on June 18, 1974
New York City Mayor Abraham Beame holds bat and ball as he praises Hank Aaron, home run champion of the Atlanta Braves, on the steps of City Hall. Beame called Aaron one of the world's "few authentic heroes" as he presented him with the city's highest honor--the Gold Medal. Looking on are Aaron's wife (R) and the widows of former Yankee greats Lou Gehrig (L) and Babe Ruth. Aaron broke Ruth's lifetime homer record when he slammed number 715 on April 8, 1974
Presidential Medal of Freedom Presentation to all 2002 Recipients
Mickey Mantle's Number 7 Retired
Awards:
• 1957: National League Most Valuable Player
• 1958: National League Gold Glove at RF
• 1959: National League Gold Glove at RF
• 1960: National League Gold Glove at RF
• 1999: Named to All-Century Team (OF)
Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron - Baseball Hall of Famers All
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Medal History
