House That Hank Built
Fansided

Flashback Friday, Happy Birthday To An Atlanta Braves Great

By Jeff Schafer

Jun 26, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves batting gloves and bats in the dugout before the Braves play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Pirates won 3-2 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves batting gloves and bats in the dugout before the Braves play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Pirates won 3-2 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Throwback Thursday was yesterday, Flashback Friday is today and rightfully so.  Today we celebrate the 82nd birthday of Atlanta Braves great, Henry “Hank”, “Hammer”, “Hammerin’ Hank”, “Bad Henry”, Louis Aaron.

Remember this??

Did you know?!? Hank Aaron wore the #5 during his rookie season in 1954

Did you know?!? Aaron appeared in a couple TV Series – Mr. Belvedere in 1989, MacGyver in 1987, The Incredible Ida Early in 1987 and Happy Days in 1980.

Did you know?!? Aaron was in the movie Summer Catch with Freddie Prinze Jr, Jessica Biel and Matthew Lillard?

Did you know?!? Aaron never had a season with over 100 strikeouts? His highest total was in 1967 with 97 K’s.

Did you know?!?  In 1952 the Braves bought Aaron from the Negro American League Indianapolis Clowns for $10,000.

Did you know?!?  In his first ever at-bat with the Jacksonville Braves at the age of 18-years-old he hit a home run.

Did you know?!?  1954, Aaron was supposed to be in the minor leagues, but got an invite to the Braves Spring Training and impressed so many people, they didn’t have a choice not to keep him in Milwaukee.  Three-time All-Star Bobby Thomson was the Braves starting left fielder, but he broke his ankle and the left field job was Aaron’s.

Did you know?!?  In his 23 year career, Aaron only played in 17 playoff games and only three games after the 1958 season…his fifth season at 24-years-old.  He returned to the playoffs 11 years later in 1969.  This would be his final playoff appearance.  (Yes, they didn’t play as many playoff games back then, but I thought it was interesting)

Did you know?!?  Aaron only played against New York teams in the playoffs.  In both 1957 and 1958 the Braves played against the New York Yankees and in 1969 the Braves played against the New York Mets.

Did you know?!?  One more additional playoff note…in 17 games, he had six home runs, 11 runs, 16 RBIs and a slash line of .363/.405/.710 – pretty impressive post-season stats.

Do you remember?!? After the 1974 season and breaking the home run record, Aaron left Atlanta and returned to Milwaukee to play two more seasons.  He hit 22 additional homers and retired at the age of 42-years-old with 755 homers.

Do you remember?!? Aaron played seven different positions during his career.  The majority of the time he was manning right field, but he also played left field, center field, first base, DH, second base and third base.

Happy Birthday Hank Aaron!

Home/Braves News