I wrote a letter to Hank Aaron in April 1974. Baseball crazed 11 year old me just had to tell him congratulations. And, for the record, he's STILL baseball's home run king. Juiced up cheaters DON'T count!
Ive been in Atlanta my entire life, but somehow that obit Lewis Grizzard wrote got past me. I was 9, however, but Hank was my player on my team, and Lewis' column was what i first read every day in the Atlanta Journal. Thanks for sharing, Brad! God bless!
It might be noted that Babe Ruth’s respect and admiration for Negro League players was such that I am positive that, had he lived to see that day, the Babe would have been the first to congratulate Hank.
NGL, those hurtful comments in the letters were very sad. I sometimes forget just how nasty people can really be. Thanks for leaving that link, it was very thrilling to see him celebrated for that record breaking hit. I love the stories you choose.
Sometimes chance can change history. If Hank would have picked the Giants he would not have had the home run record. He went to hitter friendly Milwaukee and Atlanta where home runs jumped out of the park while Mays played in a park that was 440' to dead center and later Candlestick where cold winds blew his home runs back into the field. Of course neither one has the record now as Barry Bonds is the all time home run record holder. Got to see all three play and each was great in his own way! Love the tie to Bobby Thompson in the story. Mays was on deck when he hit the "Shot Heard Round the World".
Segregation is the worst thing that has ever happened to all of mankind. It may not be about or against certain people any more, but it is still about certain people. Sometimes it is color, sometimes it is religion, sometimes it is simply beliefs. I am thrilled and amazed that such a talented person has lived! I sincerely hope that he is honored correctly by all. Thank you for this video!
Outstanding tale, Brad - Thank you! By the way, Hank Aaron and fellow Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench were friends, and had a unique respect for one another. Seeing that we are both busy, please let me just leave Bench's own account here, from the Dan Patrick show. By the way, I grew up a Pete Rose fan, and Rose RARELY disappointed as a player on the field, and sadly, he OFTEN has disappointed fans, the game, his family and shamed himself. How I wish he was in Cooperstown, and revered in MLB today. I HATE the hypocrisy of MLB & the Baseball HOF, but Rose created the situation, committed the crime, Etc. - HIS Fault. Back from the Rabbit Hunt! 😎 PLEASE Listen to Johnny Bench eloquent tribute to Mr. Aaron just after his passing on the Dan Patrick Show. God bless you and yours! ✝ ruclips.net/video/cN90HI8I6J4/видео.html ✝
@@BradDison Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Or as Bocephus would say, "If you ain't into that we don't give a damn." Please don't shoot the messenger. There is no genre of music that I downright hate. My preferences may be limited to only a few selections but still it counts. 😉
You forgot to mention that Hank was 40 y.o.a. when he accomplished that feat and Vin Scully was there. Muhammad Ali once called Hank Aaron “The only man I idolize more than myself." Henry Louis Aaron was everything an athlete and a human being should aspire to be.
One more interesting detail. When Aaron first signed professionally, he didn't even know how to hold a bat properly. He was a right handed batter, but he held the bat with the left hand on top, while hitting in the right-handed batters box. Growing up in rural Alabama, he didn't get a lot of coaching, then when he played in the Negro Leagues, it was for the Indianapolis Clowns, who were kind of the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball, so people just assumed that the way he held the bat was just part of the show. Despite holding the bat that way, he could still wallop. Aaron has said that he regretted not learning how to switch-hit, since he was already holding the bat that way.
@@BradDison He actually corrected his grip while playing in the minors, but it is crazy to think that he could have even gotten his career started batting that way.
I was 25 at the time Hank hit number 714 off Jack Billingham in Cincinnati, on April 4, opening day. A solid line drive into l. center .... a day I'll never forget. Especially since my Reds won that game.
I wrote a letter to Hank Aaron in April 1974. Baseball crazed 11 year old me just had to tell him congratulations. And, for the record, he's STILL baseball's home run king. Juiced up cheaters DON'T count!
I wonder if he ever got the letter. :)
I totally agree, cheaters don't count!!
We need lots more great stories like that. Thanks Brad.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. :)
Ive been in Atlanta my entire life, but somehow that obit Lewis Grizzard wrote got past me. I was 9, however, but Hank was my player on my team, and Lewis' column was what i first read every day in the Atlanta Journal. Thanks for sharing, Brad! God bless!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. :)
It might be noted that Babe Ruth’s respect and admiration for Negro League players was such that I am positive that, had he lived to see that day, the Babe would have been the first to congratulate Hank.
I agree completely. :)
NGL, those hurtful comments in the letters were very sad. I sometimes forget just how nasty people can really be. Thanks for leaving that link, it was very thrilling to see him celebrated for that record breaking hit. I love the stories you choose.
I can’t imagine treating a person in that way. Hate takes too much energy. :)
@@BradDison Where is the link?
Great story Brad
Thank you, cuz. :)
Sometimes chance can change history. If Hank would have picked the Giants he would not have had the home run record. He went to hitter friendly Milwaukee and Atlanta where home runs jumped out of the park while Mays played in a park that was 440' to dead center and later Candlestick where cold winds blew his home runs back into the field. Of course neither one has the record now as
Barry Bonds is the all time home run record holder. Got to see all three play and each was great in his own way! Love the tie to Bobby Thompson in the story. Mays was on deck when he hit the "Shot Heard Round the World".
You're probably right about Hank going with the Giants. I've never been to a pro baseball game. Maybe one day I'll have the opportunity. :)
Segregation is the worst thing that has ever happened to all of mankind. It may not be about or against certain people any more, but it is still about certain people. Sometimes it is color, sometimes it is religion, sometimes it is simply beliefs.
I am thrilled and amazed that such a talented person has lived!
I sincerely hope that he is honored correctly by all.
Thank you for this video!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. :)
I was at the game when he hit his first American homerun a high lite of my life Cleveland stadium.
You were there? Wow! That's amazing. :)
Outstanding tale, Brad - Thank you! By the way, Hank Aaron and fellow Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench were friends, and had a unique respect for one another. Seeing that we are both busy, please let me just leave Bench's own account here, from the Dan Patrick show.
By the way, I grew up a Pete Rose fan, and Rose RARELY disappointed as a player on the field, and sadly, he OFTEN has disappointed fans, the game, his family and shamed himself. How I wish he was in Cooperstown, and revered in MLB today. I HATE the hypocrisy of MLB & the Baseball HOF, but Rose created the situation, committed the crime, Etc. - HIS Fault.
Back from the Rabbit Hunt! 😎 PLEASE Listen to Johnny Bench eloquent tribute to Mr. Aaron just after his passing on the Dan Patrick Show. God bless you and yours! ✝
ruclips.net/video/cN90HI8I6J4/видео.html
✝
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll take a listen to it. Thank you for sharing it with me. :)
as far as sports go...if involves a stick or ball or both, I don't care. BUT, a good story is worth listening to. learn from history.
Im glad you enjoyed it even not being a sports fan. Truth be told, neither am I. :)
In other words...
Playin' baseball with chert rocks
Usin' sawmill slats for bats
Mountain Music
-song by Alabama
I haven’t heard that song in ages. My mom was a huge Alabama fan. :)
@@BradDison Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Or as Bocephus would say, "If you ain't into that we don't give a damn." Please don't shoot the messenger. There is no genre of music that I downright hate. My preferences may be limited to only a few selections but still it counts. 😉
Keep stirring the pot...
:)
You forgot to mention that Hank was 40 y.o.a. when he accomplished that feat and Vin Scully was there. Muhammad Ali once called Hank Aaron “The only man I idolize more than myself."
Henry Louis Aaron was everything an athlete and a human being should aspire to be.
I don't know if I knew that. :)
Segregation is a stain on our USA history. People had no shame. Hank Aaron was an inspiration.
He certainly was and still is. :)
Hammerin' Hank !...... Paul Harvey and Lewis Grizzard... The amount of loss is indescribable.
It really is. :)
I can’t find the link!
I'm sorry about the missing link. See if this works. I'll add it to the description again. ruclips.net/video/BNZl6HN5c-0/видео.htmlsi=eUBs7XLXjfehd6Az
Thank you Brad..God Bless and keep you
God bless you too. :)
Another good one, Brad!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. :)
One more interesting detail. When Aaron first signed professionally, he didn't even know how to hold a bat properly. He was a right handed batter, but he held the bat with the left hand on top, while hitting in the right-handed batters box. Growing up in rural Alabama, he didn't get a lot of coaching, then when he played in the Negro Leagues, it was for the Indianapolis Clowns, who were kind of the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball, so people just assumed that the way he held the bat was just part of the show. Despite holding the bat that way, he could still wallop. Aaron has said that he regretted not learning how to switch-hit, since he was already holding the bat that way.
That’s right. It’s crazy that someone could have that much talent and such a good career in spite of holding the bat “incorrectly.” :)
@@BradDison He actually corrected his grip while playing in the minors, but it is crazy to think that he could have even gotten his career started batting that way.
I was 25 at the time Hank hit number 714 off Jack Billingham in Cincinnati, on April 4, opening day. A solid line drive into l. center .... a day I'll never forget. Especially since my Reds won that game.
That’s pretty awesome. :)
I was 8 when Hank slammed it !... I watched it on TV and it's still in my memory picture log.
I'm glad hearing this brought back a fond memory. :)
Wasn't there a recent movie about him
Are you thinking of “42?” It was about Jackie Robinson. It came out in 2013. :)
@@BradDison yes sounds more familiar