Henry Aaron

Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021) was a professional baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1954 through 1976. Aaron spent 21 seasons with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (NL) and two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers (AL). He is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

​In 1973, Aaron was thrust into the national spotlight as he neared the finish of a successful assault on one of sport’s most cherished records: Babe Ruth’s mark of 714 home runs. It was on April 8, 1974, that Hammerin’ Hank sent a 1-0 pitch from Dodgers hurler Al Downing into the left field bullpen at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, giving Aaron 715 career home runs. In 1982, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
​Here's how Hall of Fame broadcaster, Vin Scully, described what happened as Aaron crossed home plate (after hitting #715) and was embraced by his teammates and parents, Herbert and Estella...
​​​“What a marvelous moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking the record of an all-time baseball idol. And it is a great moment for all of us .” 
Watch Hank Aaron blast his 715th home run at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on April 8, 1974. The portion of the outfield wall (where the ball sailed over) was preserved as a monument to his historic achievement. 

Explorer's Tip

​On a clear day, find your way to the "715 Wall" and stand in front of it, facing home plate. Watch the video above and imagine that ball coming off of Hammerin' Hank's bat and sailing over your head with the blue sky above. You will find the exact location on the Interactive Map.
Watch as Hank is reunited with the monument commemorating his record-breaking 715th career home run during his funeral procession…

Where to Connect

  • Hank Aaron Drive — After the 1996 Summer Olympics, a portion of Capitol Avenue, including the segment that runs next to the former Olympic stadium, was renamed Hank Aaron Drive. The stadium's street number is 755, so designated to honor Aaron's lifetime record of home runs.
  • 715 Wall — When the old Fulton County Stadium was demolished in 1997, the section of the outfield wall where Aaron’s 715th homerun (the one that broke Babe Ruth’s record) was preserved to commemorate his achievement.
  • Hank Aaron Statue — The Hank Aaron statue still stands in the former “Monument Grove,” located on the northeast corner of Center Parc stadium.
  • Civil Rights Walk of Fame — Hank Aaron’s Profile
  • Delta Airlines dedicated Boeing 757 Ship 627 (N627DL) to honor Hank Aaron in June 2007.

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