If Babe Ruth is not the best player of all time, it's Hank Aaron. He is known for a lot of things but the one that stands out most is his still standing record of most home runs in a season. His name is synonymous with longevity and achievement.

Born in 1934 in Mobile, Alabama, Aaron displayed his skills at an early age. He attended Central High School and while he was great at football he really excelled in the baseball program as an outfielder and third baseman. He helped his team to the Negro High School Championship both years of his attendance.

He established himself as a talented player over the years and went on to star in the Negro Leagues. He helped the Indianapolis Clowns turn themselves around and they won the Negro League World Series in 1952.

The Braves bought his contract in 1952 for ten thousand dollars. He played in the minor leagues before working his way up to the Braves starting roster. Even though he did not get a hit in his major league debut it was still a historic event. An anomaly as well, as he went on to hit very well that season.

The season after is when he really broke through. He made the All-Star team for the first of many times and did not stop from there. He proceeded to tear up the record books as a slugger. He was soon on a race to take Babe Ruth's all time homerun record.

This chase really heated up in 1972 and 1973. Arron was getting older and there was a question of when he would hit the wall. Aaron hit 40 home runs in 1973 at the ripe age of thirty nine, which gave him 713 at seasons' end and put him within striking range of Ruth's total.

On the day he broke the record in 1974 the Braves had broken the record for attendance with well over fifty thousand people watching. It was a historic and defining moment. He would go on to hit 733 total home runs before retiring.

In 1982 Aaron was inducted to the Hall of Fame with more votes than anyone other than Ty Cobb. His legacy as a player that broke through the race barrier and helped elevate our national sports scene is undeniable. And his sports legend, eternal.

Learn more about this author, Royce Radcliffe.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Biography: Hank Aaron?
We want to hear your view. Write now!