A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Hank Aaron.
Hank Aaron, nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank," was a celebrated American professional baseball player. He played 23 seasons in MLB from 1954-1976, primarily with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. He is renowned for breaking Babe Ruth's career home run record and holding it for 33 years with a total of 755. Aaron was a consistent power hitter, hitting at least 24 home runs every year from 1955 to 1973 and is one of two players to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times. He is considered one of baseball's all-time greats.
1936: Inaugural Hall of Fame election
Ty Cobb received votes on 98.2% of the ballot in the inaugural 1936 Hall of Fame election.
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1952: Assigned to Eau Claire Bears
In 1952, the Braves assigned Henry Louis Aaron to the Eau Claire Bears, their Northern League Class-C farm team. He made the Northern League's All-Star team and was named Rookie of the Year.
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1953: Played for the Jacksonville Braves
In 1953, Henry Louis Aaron played for the Jacksonville Braves, the Braves' Class-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League. Aaron led the league in multiple categories and won the league's Most Valuable Player Award.
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1955: Started Yearly Home Run Streak
From 1955, Henry Louis Aaron hit 24 or more home runs every year. This occurred from 1955 through 1973.
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1955: Named to NL All-Star Roster
In 1955, Henry Louis Aaron was named to the NL All-Star roster for the first time, the first of a record 21 All-Star selections.
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1956: Won First NL Batting Title
In 1956, Henry Louis Aaron hit .328 and captured the first of two NL batting titles. He was also named The Sporting News NL Player of the Year.
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1957: Won World Series and MVP Award
In 1957, Hank Aaron won the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award and the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series.
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1970: Collected 3,000th Hit
In 1970, Henry Louis Aaron collected his 3,000th hit, in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, and established the record for most seasons with thirty or more home runs in the National League.
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1972: Passed Willie Mays for Second Place in Home Runs
During the strike-shortened season of 1972, Henry Louis Aaron tied and then surpassed Willie Mays for second place on the career home run list. He also drove in the 2,000th run of his career and broke Stan Musial's major-league record for total bases (6,134).
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September 29, 1973: Aaron Hits Home Run Number 713
On September 29, 1973, Hank Aaron hit his 713th home run, leaving him one short of tying Babe Ruth's record with one game left in the season.
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1973: Ended Yearly Home Run Streak
In 1973, Henry Louis Aaron ended his yearly streak of hitting 24 or more home runs. This streak occurred from 1955 through 1973.
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April 4, 1974: Aaron Ties Babe Ruth's Record
On April 4, 1974, Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth's home run record of 714 in Cincinnati, hitting a home run in his first at-bat of the season.
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April 8, 1974: Aaron Breaks Home Run Record
On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta, breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record.
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October 2, 1974: Aaron's Last At-Bat as a Brave
On October 2, 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 733rd home run in his last at-bat as a player for the Atlanta Braves and considered retirement.
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May 1, 1975: Aaron Breaks RBI Record
On May 1, 1975, Hank Aaron broke baseball's all-time RBI record, surpassing Babe Ruth's previous record of 2,213.
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July 20, 1976: Aaron Hits 755th and Final Home Run
On July 20, 1976, Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final home run at Milwaukee County Stadium.
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1976: Awarded the Spingarn Medal
In 1976, Hank Aaron was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP, recognizing his achievements and contributions.
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1977: Received Golden Plate Award
In 1977, Hank Aaron received the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award, honoring his accomplishments.
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August 1, 1982: Aaron Inducted into Hall of Fame
On August 1, 1982, Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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1982: Inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame
In 1982, Henry Louis Aaron was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
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1988: 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.
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1988: Inducted into Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
In 1988, Henry Louis Aaron was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
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February 5, 1999: Hank Aaron Award Introduced
On February 5, 1999, Major League Baseball announced the introduction of the Hank Aaron Award at his 65th birthday celebration, honoring the best offensive performer in each league.
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1999: Hank Aaron Award Introduced
In 1999, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top offensive players in each league. In 1999, he was also elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
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1999: Hank Aaron Award Created by MLB
In 1999, Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Aaron's surpassing of Babe Ruth's home run record and to honor Aaron's contributions to baseball.
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June 2000: Awarded Honorary Doctorate by Tufts University
In June 2000, Hank Aaron was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service by Tufts University, recognizing his contributions.
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January 8, 2001: Presented with Presidential Citizens Medal
On January 8, 2001, Hank Aaron was presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton, honoring his contributions to the nation.
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June 2002: Received 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, recognizing his extraordinary achievements.
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2002: Honored with Lombardi Award of Excellence
In 2002, Hank Aaron was honored with the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, recognizing his embodiment of Lombardi's spirit.
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2002: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2002, Henry Louis Aaron was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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2002: Listed Among 100 Greatest African Americans
In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante included Hank Aaron in his list of the 100 Greatest African Americans, recognizing his impact and achievements.
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2007: Aaron's Home Run Record Broken
In 2007, Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's MLB career home run record of 755, which had stood for 31 years.
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2007: Home Run Record Surpassed
In 2007, Barry Bonds surpassed Hank Aaron's career home run record of 755, which Aaron held for 33 years, since 1976.
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2010: 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.
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2011: Awarded Honorary Doctorate by Princeton University
In 2011, Shirley M. Tilghman, the President of Princeton University, awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Hank Aaron.
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November 2015: Recipient of Portrait of a Nation Prize
In November 2015, Hank Aaron was one of the five inaugural recipients of the Portrait of a Nation Prize, granted by the National Portrait Gallery for exemplary achievements.
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January 2016: Received Order of the Rising Sun Award
In January 2016, Hank Aaron received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette from Akihito, the Emperor of Japan.
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2021: Braves Honor Aaron During World Series
During the 2021 World Series, the Atlanta Braves honored Hank Aaron in a pregame ceremony and in the design of their championship ring.
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2021: Braves Honor Aaron and Niekro
During the 2021 season, the Atlanta Braves honored Hank Aaron and Phil Niekro by including their jersey numbers on team caps and painting Aaron's number at Truist Park.
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2022: WSB Broadcast Selected for National Recording Registry
In 2022, a recording of the WSB broadcast of the April 8, 1974 game, in which Aaron hit his 715th home run, was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation.
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2022: Tulane University Gave Posthumous Honorary Degree
In May 2022, Tulane University gave Aaron a posthumous honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, which was accepted on his behalf by his widow Billye.
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