Hank Aaron
photo by Tim Evearitt
ATLANTA -- Sixty years have passed since Aaron joined the Milwaukee Braves as a wide-eyed 20-year-old rookie outfielder, who would go on to best Babe Ruth's "unbreakable" home run record and establish himself as somebody who is still widely considered one of the top five baseball players to ever grace the game.
While time has eroded some of that impressive strength that helped Aaron total 755 home runs over 23 big league seasons, it has had little impact on his passion to continue living life to the fullest.
As Aaron turned 80 on Wednesday, he continued to serve as an inspirational figure to those who know all that he accomplished during his career and to those who have continued to watch him display a youthful exuberance on a daily basis.
Aaron still works out at Turner Field approximately three times a week during the early morning hours. Some of the current players and coaches occasionally cross paths with him. But Aaron is often done with his workout before many of these individuals arrive at the stadium.
There will be plenty of reason for the baseball world to take time this year to reminisce about Aaron's accomplishments. As the Braves open the home portion of their schedule on April 8, the organization will also take time to recognize this day as the 40th anniversary of the day Aaron bested the Babe by hitting his 715th career home run.
Once he concluded his playing career after the 1976 season, Aaron joined the Braves' front office and oversaw the Minor League system.
While he has not been an active member of Atlanta's front office for more than two decades, Aaron has continued to assist the organization while serving as senior vice president. At the same time, he has continued to serve as one of the game's top ambassadors while assisting his good friend Commissioner Bud Selig with various endeavors.
---- Source: MLB.com