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What made Hank Aaron want to play baseball?
Inspired by his speech and the leadership he presented as an athlete and an activist, Aaron attempted to emulate Robinson’s path as best as he could. After rising through various semi-pro teams, Aaron’s first professional baseball experience was with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League.
When did Hank Aaron start playing baseball?
1975Milwaukee Brewers
1966Atlanta Braves1954Milwaukee Braves
Hank Aaron/Dates joined
Why did Hank Aaron get the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
On August 1, 1982, Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame receiving 97.8 percent of the ballots cast. Aaron is a longtime supporter of civil rights organizations such as the NAACP. Bush awarded Aaron the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his philanthropy and humanitarian endeavors.
What inspired Hank Aaron?
In 1949, the fifteen-year-old Aaron — influenced by the exploits of Jackie Robinson, whom he’d seen on several exhibition passes through Alabama — was allowed to try out with the Brooklyn Dodgers but did not earn a contract offer, likely due to his unorthodox batting grip.
What did Hank Aaron contribute to society?
For more than three decades, Hank Aaron has been best known for hitting more home runs than any other baseball player in history. However, the baseball icon also spoke out against pervasive racism in major league baseball and broke racial barriers throughout his career.
What did Hank Aaron do in his first year of baseball?
In his first professional seasons, Aaron played infield positions — shortstop and third base — but the Braves soon moved him to the outfield. Jacksonville won the Sally League championship that year, and Aaron was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player of 1953.
Where did Hank Aaron go to high school?
During his junior and senior years of high school, he attended the private Josephine Allen Institute, and played for the Mobile Black Bears, an independent Negro League team. On graduating from high school, he turned down college football scholarships to play baseball for the Indianapolis Clowns, of the Negro American League.
How many brothers and sisters did Hank Aaron have?
Aaron was born and raised in and around Mobile, Alabama. Aaron had seven siblings, including Tommie Aaron, who played major-league baseball with him. He appeared briefly in the Negro American League and in minor league baseball before starting his major league career.
How many seasons did Hank Aaron play for the Braves?
Widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in history, he spent 21 seasons with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves in the National League (NL) and two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League (AL).