February 5, 201511 yr http://www.gammonsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Aaron-Milwaukee.jpg Henry Aaron turns 81 today. Despite being one of the greatest players in baseball history and the owner of one of the greatest accomplishments in baseball history, he is still not discussed with the same frequency or regarded in the same celebratory terms as many of his peers in the game. While Babe Ruth is viewed in mythological terms, (“Ruthian”) Aaron never received the same adulation or acclaim. Unlike Ruth he never had a 60 homerun season – or even a 50 homerun season. Instead, Aaron amassed a twenty-year string of inconceivably consistent seasons – averaging a .300 batting average, 40 home runs, and 110 RBI per season. Despite them all being great seasons, none stood out as an iconic season in the way Ted Williams' 1941 did, This was evidenced by Aaron receiving MVP consideration for 19 straight years – but only winning the award once. Another factor working against Aaron’s perception is the unease we felt as he approached Ruth’s homerun record and broke it. For a small number, the unease was their resentment of Aaron’s supplanting Ruth but for most of us, it was the unease of knowing how unenviable and uncomfortable a position Aaron was in pursuing the record -and our wanting his ordeal to be over. It wasn't the kind of build-up and expectation that a record like that deserved..Hopefully we will remember what a sublime player Aaron was and appreciate him for his accomplishments as we wish him a happy birthday today.
February 5, 201511 yr Hank is the reason I'm a Braves fan, though he had retired before I ever came around. Wonderful write up. Thank you!
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