How Hank Aaron Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Hank Aaron continue to shape the world today.

Hank Aaron, nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank," was a legendary baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in MLB (1954-1976). Primarily with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, he later played for the Milwaukee Brewers. Widely regarded as one of baseball's greatest, Aaron held numerous career power-hitting records upon retirement. Most notably, he surpassed Babe Ruth's career home run record, holding the title for 33 years with 755 home runs until Barry Bonds broke the record in 2007. He consistently hit 24+ home runs annually from 1955-1973 and was one of two players to hit 30+ home runs in at least 15 seasons.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1936: Ty Cobb receives 98.2% of votes in Hall of Fame election.

In the inaugural 1936 Hall of Fame election, Ty Cobb received votes on 98.2% of the ballots.

August 1973: Public Support and Recognition

In August 1973, Hank Aaron received an outpouring of public support against bigotry, exemplified by Charles Schulz's Peanuts comic strip addressing hate mail. Babe Ruth's widow, Claire, also denounced the racism and supported Aaron's pursuit of the home run record.

1974: Aaron's statement on breaking the home run record

In 1974, after breaking the home run record, Aaron stated that the achievement should inspire others to chase their own dreams, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and aspiration.

1976: Aaron Awarded Spingarn Medal

In 1976, Hank Aaron was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.

1977: Aaron Receives Golden Plate Award

In 1977, Hank Aaron received the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award.

August 1, 1982: Induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame

On August 1, 1982, Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving votes on 97.8 percent of the ballots.

1982: Hank Aaron Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame

In 1982, Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility.

1982: Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

In 1982, Hank Aaron was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

1986: Guest Appearance on Crazy Like a Fox

In 1986, Hank Aaron made a guest appearance in an episode of the television show "Crazy Like a Fox", titled "Just Another Fox in the Crowd".

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1988: Aaron Inducted into Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame

In 1988, Hank Aaron was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame for his time spent on the Eau Claire Bears, Milwaukee Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers.

1990: Publication of I Had A Hammer

In 1990, Hank Aaron's autobiography, "I Had A Hammer", co-written with Lonnie Wheeler, was published and became a finalist for the Casey Award, offering insights into his life and career.

I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story

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1994: Establishment of Chasing the Dream Foundation

In 1994, Hank Aaron and his wife established the Chasing the Dream Foundation, awarding the Hank Aaron Chasing The Dream Scholarship to members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

April 1997: Hank Aaron Stadium Constructed in Mobile, Alabama

In April 1997, a new baseball facility for the AA Mobile Bay Bears was constructed in Hank Aaron's hometown of Mobile, Alabama, and named Hank Aaron Stadium.

February 5, 1999: Major League Baseball Announces Hank Aaron Award

On February 5, 1999, at his 65th birthday celebration, Major League Baseball announced the introduction of the Hank Aaron Award, honoring the best overall offensive performer in the American and National League.

1999: Hank Aaron Award Introduced and All-Century Team Selection

In 1999, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top offensive players in each league. In that same year, he was one of 30 baseball players elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

1999: Major League Baseball Creates Hank Aaron Award

In 1999, Major League Baseball established the Hank Aaron Award to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Aaron surpassing Babe Ruth's home run record and to honor Aaron's contributions to baseball. The award is given annually to the most effective hitters in each league.

June 2000: Tufts University Awards Honorary Degree to Aaron

In June 2000, Tufts University awarded Hank Aaron an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree.

July 2000: Aaron Throws First Pitch at MLB All-Star Game

In July 2000, Hank Aaron threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, played at Turner Field.

January 8, 2001: Aaron Presented with Presidential Citizens Medal

On January 8, 2001, Hank Aaron was presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton.

June 2002: Aaron Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

In June 2002, Hank Aaron received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President George W. Bush.

July 2002: Aaron Throws First Pitch at MLB All-Star Game Again

In July 2002, Hank Aaron again threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, played at Miller Park, now named American Family Field.

2002: Television Commercial with Barry Bonds

In 2002, Hank Aaron appeared in a television commercial with Barry Bonds during Super Bowl XXXVI, jokingly trying to persuade Bonds to retire before breaking his record.

2002: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2002, Hank Aaron was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2002: Aaron Honored with Lombardi Award of Excellence

In 2002, Hank Aaron was honored with the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, which recognizes individuals who exemplify Vince Lombardi's spirit.

2002: Aaron Listed Among 100 Greatest African Americans

In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Hank Aaron on his list of the 100 Greatest African Americans.

January 21, 2007: MLB Announces Sale of Atlanta Braves

On January 21, 2007, Major League Baseball announced the sale of the Atlanta Braves, with Commissioner Bud Selig stating that Hank Aaron would play a major role in the management of the Braves and in encouraging minority involvement in baseball.

August 7, 2007: Aaron Congratulates Bonds

On August 7, 2007, after Barry Bonds broke his home run record, Hank Aaron appeared on the JumboTron at AT&T Park in San Francisco to congratulate Bonds on his accomplishment.

2007: Aaron's home run record broken by Barry Bonds

In 2007, Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's MLB career home run record of 755, which had stood for 31 years.

April 25, 2009: Aaron Dedicates Exhibit at Baseball Hall of Fame

On April 25, 2009, Hank Aaron dedicated the new exhibit "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream" at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

2010: Aaron Named Georgia Trustee

In 2010, Hank Aaron was named a Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society, in conjunction with the Governor of Georgia, to recognize accomplishments and community service.

2011: Princeton University Awards Honorary Degree to Aaron

In 2011, the President of Princeton University, Shirley M. Tilghman, awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Hank Aaron.

November 2015: Aaron Receives Portrait of a Nation Prize

In November 2015, Hank Aaron was one of the five inaugural recipients of the Portrait of a Nation Prize, an award granted by the National Portrait Gallery for achievements in civil rights, business, entertainment, science, and sports.

January 2016: Aaron Receives Order of the Rising Sun from Emperor of Japan

In January 2016, Hank Aaron received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette from Akihito, the Emperor of Japan.

2017: Georgia State University Rebuilds Turner Field as Center Parc Stadium

In 2017, Georgia State University acquired Turner Field and rebuilt it as Center Parc Stadium. University officials planned to build a new baseball park on the former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium site, incorporating the left field wall where Aaron hit his record-breaking home run.

2019: Elite Development Invitational Renamed Hank Aaron Invitational

For the 2019 season, the Elite Development Invitational, a youth baseball tournament organized by Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association to increase diversity, was renamed the Hank Aaron Invitational.

January 5, 2021: Hank Aaron Receives COVID-19 Vaccination

On January 5, 2021, Hank Aaron publicly received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He, along with other Black American figures, aimed to demonstrate the vaccine's safety and encourage other Black Americans to get vaccinated.

April 2021: Forrest Hill Academy Renamed Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy

In April 2021, the Forrest Hill Academy was renamed the Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy. The high school had been named after Nathan Bedford Forrest.

2021: Hank Aaron Honored at 2021 World Series

During Game 3 of the 2021 World Series at Truist Park, Hank Aaron was honored with a pregame ceremony where his son, Hank Aaron Jr., threw out the ceremonial first pitch. After the Braves won the 2021 World Series, Aaron was further honored in the design of the team's championship ring with 755 diamonds to commemorate his home runs and 44 emerald-cut diamonds for his jersey number.

2021: Atlanta Braves Honor Hank Aaron

During the 2021 season, the Atlanta Braves honored Hank Aaron by placing his jersey number 44 on the back of their team caps, alongside Phil Niekro's number 35. The team also painted 44 in the midfield at Truist Park as a tribute.

2021: Atlanta Sports Teams Retire No. 44 in Aaron's Honor

Following Hank Aaron's death, in 2021, the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and Atlanta United of MLS retired his No. 44. Other minor league teams also temporarily retired No. 44 in Aaron's honor.

2022: Aaron's 1974 Broadcast Selected for Preservation and Posthumous Honorary Degree

In 2022, a recording of the WSB broadcast of the April 8, 1974 Braves-Dodgers game, in which Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation. In May of the same year, Tulane University gave Aaron a posthumous honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.