When I got married in 1998, I gave all the guys who stood up with me special gifts. My best man was a huge Henry Aaron fan and my gift to him was a signed baseball by the man himself! You couldn’t place a value on that baseball then, and you certainly can’t now upon hearing the news that broke this morning announcing Henry Aaron’s passing.
For those who don’t like, care for, or understand baseball, his passing might be unremarkable. But when it comes to baseball royalty, Henry Aaron sits on the throne. Arguably the greatest baseball player who ever played, I still consider him to be the all-time home run leader who broke Ruth’s record without using performance enhancing drugs.
A 25-time All Star, Aaron was a force like no other on the field. He became the all-time RBI leader and is third on the all-time hits list. Pitcher Curt Simmons, once said, “Throwing a fastball by Henry Aaron is like trying to sneak the sun past a rooster.”
As big as his accomplishments were on the field, he was an equally huge force off the field. He was one of the earliest black baseball players who paved the way when it came to civil rights. Aaron displayed grace and dignity as he played for the Atlanta Braves, who were the first professional baseball team in the Deep South. In doing so he had to face unimaginable racism, but he faced it all with class.
In 1994 I had an opportunity to meet Aaron. I was living in Palm Desert, California and major league baseball would often hold winter meetings in the desert. At the time I had a pool business and I had to drive to the La Quinta Hotel to make a phone call. As I drove into the parking lot, I saw two men standing on the curb talking. As I looked closer at them, I could see that it was Henry Aaron and Willie Mays! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Two of the greatest players to ever play the game were standing 50 ft. away from me. I started to think I should go ask them for their autograph, but I had second thoughts and didn’t want to interrupt their conversation. I have always regretted not approaching them and asking for an autograph.
A true icon and American hero, Henry Aaron’s life and legacy will live on for many years to come.
I’ll leave you with the words of the great Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully who was in Atlanta and made the call during Aaron’s record-breaking homerun.
“What a marvelous moment for baseball. What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia. What a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. And it is a great moment for all of us, and particularly for Henry Aaron.”
Thank you, Mr. Aaron, for everything you contributed to America’s favorite pastime, and for America!