Hank Aaron's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Hank Aaron.

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.

1952: Assigned to Eau Claire Bears and Named Rookie of the Year

In 1952, Hank Aaron was assigned to the Eau Claire Bears, the Braves' Northern League Class-C farm team. By the end of the season, he was named the unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year.

1953: Won South Atlantic League Championship and MVP Award

In 1953, Hank Aaron helped the Jacksonville Braves win the South Atlantic League championship. He also won the league's Most Valuable Player Award.

1955: Named to NL All-Star Roster

In 1955, Hank Aaron was named to the NL All-Star roster for the first time, marking the first of a record 21 All-Star selections and first of a record 25 All-Star Game appearances.

1956: Captured First NL Batting Title

In 1956, Hank Aaron hit .328 and captured the first of two NL batting titles. He was also named The Sporting News NL Player of the Year.

September 23, 1957: Clinched Pennant with Walk-Off Home Run

On September 23, 1957, Hank Aaron hit a two-run walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in Milwaukee, clinching the pennant for the Braves.

1957: Aaron participates in the World Series

In 1957, Hank Aaron participated in the World Series, contributing to the Braves' performance in the championship series.

1957: Won NL MVP and World Series

In 1957, Hank Aaron won the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, and the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series.

1958: Led Braves to Another Pennant

In 1958, Hank Aaron hit .326 with 30 home runs and 95 RBI in 153 games. He led the Braves to another pennant.

June 21, 1959: Hit Three Home Runs in a Game

On June 21, 1959, against the San Francisco Giants, Hank Aaron hit three two-run home runs. It was the only time in his career that he hit three home runs in a game.

1959: Start of five consecutive seasons with 100+ RBIs

In 1959, Aaron began a streak of five consecutive seasons with 100 or more RBIs, highlighting his consistent performance and contribution to the team.

July 14, 1968: Hit 500th Career Home Run

On July 14, 1968, Hank Aaron hit his 500th career home run against Mike McCormick of the San Francisco Giants.

1968: Hit 500th Career Home Run

In 1968, Hank Aaron was the first Atlanta Braves player to hit his 500th career home run.

July 31, 1969: Passed Mickey Mantle on Career Home Run List

On July 31, 1969, Hank Aaron hit his 537th home run, passing Mickey Mantle's total, moving Aaron into third place on the career home run list.

1969: Aaron participates in the NLCS

In 1969, Hank Aaron participated in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), contributing to the Braves' performance in the series.

1970: Reached 3,000 Career Hits

In 1970, Hank Aaron was the first Atlanta Brave to reach 3,000 career hits.

1970: Collected 3,000th Hit

In 1970, on May 17, Hank Aaron collected his 3,000th hit in a game against the Cincinnati Reds. Aaron also established the record for most seasons with thirty or more home runs in the National League.

April 27, 1971: Hit 600th Career Home Run

On April 27, 1971, Hank Aaron hit his 600th career home run, becoming the third major league player ever to reach the milestone.

1972: Broke Stan Musial's Record

During the strike-shortened season of 1972, Hank Aaron tied and then surpassed Willie Mays for second place on the career home run list. Aaron also drove in the 2,000th run of his career and hit a home run in the first All-Star game played in Atlanta. As the year came to a close, Aaron broke Stan Musial's major-league record for total bases (6,134).

September 29, 1973: Aaron hits home run number 713

On September 29, 1973, Hank Aaron hit his 713th career home run, leaving him one short of Babe Ruth's record with one game remaining in the season.

1973: Plaque from U.S. Postal Service

At the end of the 1973 season, Hank Aaron was honored with a plaque from the U.S. Postal Service for receiving more mail (930,000 pieces) than any person excluding politicians, showcasing the widespread attention and support surrounding his pursuit of the home run record.

1973: Aaron ends the season one home run short of the record.

In 1973, Aaron ended the season one home run short of Babe Ruth's record, after hitting his 713th home run on September 29, 1973, and failing to tie the record in his final game against the Houston Astros.

1973: Chasing Babe Ruth's Record

In 1973, Hank Aaron's pursuit of Babe Ruth's career home run record intensified, drawing increased media attention and excitement. Despite downplaying the chase himself, Aaron received thousands of letters weekly, including hate mail, requiring assistance from a Braves secretary to manage the volume of correspondence.

April 4, 1974: Aaron Ties Babe Ruth's Record

On April 4, 1974, in his first at-bat of the season against the Cincinnati Reds, Hank Aaron tied Babe Ruth's home run record with his first swing off pitcher Jack Billingham.

April 8, 1974: Aaron Hits Home Run 715

On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers, surpassing Babe Ruth's record in front of 53,775 fans in Atlanta and a national TV audience, marking a historic moment in baseball.

May 1, 1975: Aaron Breaks All-Time RBI Record

On May 1, 1975, Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth's all-time RBI record of 2,213.

July 20, 1976: Aaron hits his 755th and final home run

On July 20, 1976, Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final career home run at Milwaukee County Stadium off Dick Drago of the California Angels.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.