Hank Aaron hits first home run of his MLB career
On April 23 1954 Hank Aaron knocks out the first home run of his Major League Baseball career.Twenty years later Aaron becomes baseballs new home run king when he broke Babe Ruths long-standing record of 714 career homers.A native of Mobile Alabama Aaron began his professional baseball career in 1952 in the Negro League and joined the Milwaukee Braves of the major leagues in 1954 eight years after Jackie Robinson had integrated baseball.Aaron was the last Negro League player to compete in the majors.
He played his first game with the Braves on April 13 and went hitless in his five times at bat.Two days later he got his first hit a single in a game against the St.Louis Cardinals and on April 23 1954 pounded out his first major league home run off Cardinals pitcher Vic Raschi.Aaron quickly established himself as an important player for the Braves and won the National League batting title in 1956.
The following season he took home the leagues MVP award and helped the Braves beat Mickey Mantle and the heavily favored New York Yankees in the World Series.In 1959 Aaron won his second league batting title.Season after season he turned in strong batting performances Hammerin Hank hit .300 or higher for 14 seasons and slugged at least 40 homers in eight separate seasons.
In May 1970 he became the first player in baseball to record 500 homers and 3000 hits.The achievement Aaron is best known for though is breaking Babe Ruths record of 714 career home runs which he did on April 8 1974 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium when he hit his 715th home run in the fourth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.Aaron played for the Milwaukee Braves from 1954 to 1965 and then moved with the team to Atlanta in 1966.
On February 29 1972 the Atlanta Braves signed Aaron to a three-year 200000 per year contract that made him baseballs best-paid player.In November 1974 the Braves traded Aaron to the Milwaukee Brewers where he spent the final two seasons of his career.Aaron retired from baseball in 1976 with 755 career home runs a record that stood until August 7 2007 when it was broken by Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants.
