Earlier in the day, I reported on the death of MLB legend Hank Aaron at the age of 86. At that time, there were few details available. This is an update on that article. The hugely popular baseball player and Hall of Famer died earlier this morning from complications of a massive stroke being suffered. Sympathies are coming from all over the baseball world and beyond. The Atlanta Braves recently released this statement.
“We are absolutely devastated by the passing of our beloved Hank,” Terry McGuirk, Braves chairman, said 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.”
Within the hour, MLB Players Association director Tony Clark offered this statement:
“This is a profoundly sad day for baseball and indeed for our entire country. On the field, off the field, for 23 remarkable playing seasons and beyond, Hank Aaron was a Hall of Famer in every sense of the phrase. Generations of players have walked, and will continue to walk, on a trail that Hank Aaron blazed with his determination, courage, singular talent and grace. We send our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and legion of fans throughout the game.â€
Hank Aaron began his career in baseball in 1951 with the Indianapolis Clowns of the negro leagues. Just seven months after starting with them, he signed with the Boston Braves. When they moved to Milwaukee and eventually to where they are now in Atlanta, he was with the team. He was the first baseball play in history to reach 500 home runs and 3,000 hits.
He was a player that transcended the sport. In 1974, Aaron hit home run number 715 in a game against the Dodgers, beating Babe Ruth’s record. He ended his MLB career in 1975 after hitting 755 home runs. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.