Henry Louis Aaron

Hank Aaron (Henry Louis Aaron), 1934-, U.S. baseball player, b. Mobile, Ala. A durable outfielder noted for his powerful wrists, Aaron was among the first blacks to play a full career in the major leagues (1954-76). In 1974 "Hammerin' Hank" broke Babe Ruth 's legendary lifetime mark of 714 home runs, eventually setting a record of 755 homers, which held until Barry Bonds hit his 756th in 2007. Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, Aaron is baseball's career leader in runs batted in (2,297) and extra-base hits (1,477) and was an All Star a record 24 times. He also was the National League's most valuable player in 1957 and won three Gold Gloves. In 1976 he became one of the first black executives in the game, beginning a long tenure in the Atlanta Braves front office. He also is a successful Atlanta businessman.

Bibliography: See his autobiography (1991).

Aaron, Hank ( Henry Louis) (1934) US baseball player. Aaron was one of the first African-Americans to play in the major leagues, when he joined (1954) the Milwaukee (later Atlanta) Braves of the National League. In 1974 he surpassed Babe Ruth's major-league career home run record of 714. In 1976 Aaron retired from playing, having scored a world record of 755 home runs. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.