Braves legend, Hall of Famer Hank Aaron dies at 86
Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron battled racial prejudice and hatred throughout his career in Major League Baseball, but that didn't stop him from breaking MLB's career home run record. It certainly didn't stop him from trailblazing a path for other athletes of color to find success at baseball's highest level.
Sadly, the Atlanta Braves announced that the former home run king died Friday morning at 86 in his sleep.
"We are absolutely devastated by the passing of our beloved Hank," said Braves chairman Terry McGuirk in a statement. "He was a beacon for our organization first as a player, then with player development, and always with our community efforts. His incredible talent and resolve helped him achieve the highest accomplishments, yet he never lost his humble nature. Henry Louis Aaron wasn't just our icon, but one across Major League Baseball and around the world. His success on the diamond was matched only by his business accomplishments off the field and capped by his extraordinary philanthropic efforts."
Aaron spent 21 of his 23 MLB seasons with the Braves franchise, which began in Milwaukee. He quickly established himself as one of baseball's most reliable hitters, and he smashed a career-high 47 home runs in 1971. He slashed .305/.374/.555 in his legendary career and finished with 755 home runs, a record 2,297 RBI, 240 stolen bases and a record 6,856 total bases.
Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He was a 25-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover. He also won an MVP Award, two batting titles and a World Series championship in 1957.
Many baseball legends paid their respects to Aaron after learning of his death, including Chipper Jones and Frank Thomas, among many others.
More must-reads: