Memories, admiration, idolization, humble superstar: Reaction to Hank Aaron's death is staggering
Trying to keep up with reaction on Twitter of Hank Aaron's death was like pitching to him: mighty tough. Here is just a sampling from the first five minutes of postings - it was just impossible to get within an hour of posts - of Aaron's death.
More coming later in The Sports Report on Aaron from media coverage of his life, career, death, and staggering impact.
I have a poster of Hank Aaron that was part of a game program. I wrote “I saw Hank Aaron hit his 711th home run,” on it, with the date. He broke the record at 715, maybe a week later. Pretty cool stuff, looking back on it. I’ve always admired Hank. Good guy.
— The Red Mirage (@BigMistake45) January 22, 2021
Hank Aaron - every kid in the 70's pretended to be him when at the plate...https://t.co/VCtOF7p0DR
— Southern White Man (@whitemalevoter) January 22, 2021
HANK AARON wasn't just a Hall of Fame ballplayer.
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) January 22, 2021
He was a longtime supporter of the NAACP & a political force.
He was credited by BILL CLINTON with helping carry Georgia by 13k votes in 1992, after the 2 headlined a rally there days before the election. https://t.co/nBj7sgItbv
Some of the hate Hank Aaron received when he was trying to break Babe Ruth's home run mark
— Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) January 22, 2021
“You are not going to break his record established by the great Babe Ruth if I can help it. Whites are far more superior than [slur] . . . My gun is watching your every black move.’’
Shoot. Hank Aaron was my first baseball hero. Saw him many times as a Brave and a Brewer. I remember watching him hit 715 on a small TV in Sellery Hall. I always wanted to see him in person as an adult and thank him for all he did for Milwaukee and baseball. RIP https://t.co/sHqmYhRoRl
— Mike Plaisted (@PBoySr) January 22, 2021
It is almost impossible to describe how good of a hitter Hank Aaron washttps://t.co/YCG4ngDuTi
— Math Liker (@starched_jeans) January 22, 2021
We lost another great one. Hank Aaron passed away at age of 86. Nice man and a great player. Feel privileged to have met and watched Hank Aaron. One of the top players to ever play the game. The real all time HR leader when HRs really meant something. RIP https://t.co/FrB7X0YuoW
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) January 22, 2021
"Boxing legend Muhammad Ali once called Hank Aaron 'The only man I idolize more than myself.'" https://t.co/PqUr9zx6tD
— Nick Reisman (@NickReisman) January 22, 2021
I damn near jumped out of my seat at the chance to talk to Hank Aaron and write a story about it.https://t.co/e7FmbCbhJK
— Mitchell Northam (@primetimeMitch) January 22, 2021
Hank Aaron figures large in my love of baseball. His amazing career came to an end as I was learning to love the game and I cheered each HR as a young girl, huddled around a transistor radio on hot summer days in Bangor, Maine. RIP to a legend.
— LeeAnne Dale (@LeeAnneDale) January 22, 2021
Letter from Hank Aaron to my grandparents from 1973...my grandfather loved him and got this response. RIP Hammerin' Hank... pic.twitter.com/kCDdIsveON
— Willie Simpson (@WillieSimpson) January 22, 2021
I grew up in a baseball family. My grandfather was from Brooklyn. He grew up with Jackie Robinson as one of his favorite players. I learned the history of Jackie, Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Hank Aaron. These were the type of players and men I looked up to thanks to my Poppy
— Kellen Schirmuhly (@Captainkello81) January 22, 2021
In 1999, I attended an event in which the attendees included Hank Aaron and Rep. John Lewis. I knew I was in the presence of greatness, but now I realize that it was timeless greatness. Mr. Aaron paid tribute when Mr. Lewis passed. Godspeed Mr. Aaron, as you rejoin Mr. Lewis.
— John Ratnaswamy (@JohnRSports) January 22, 2021
From the @baseballhall, here is Hank Aaron's scouting report from 1952. "Well put up." "When ahead they look very good and very bad when behind." https://t.co/CrL9urlAhD pic.twitter.com/LqHzaNzUH6
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) January 22, 2021
"In my heaven I can sing like Elvis
— Thomas Novelly (@TomNovelly) January 22, 2021
Play guitar like BB King
Slide a fastball past Hank Aaron
Batter, batter, batter swing
I can do most anything."https://t.co/3jm2YP4WXP
Rest In Peace, Hank Aaron. I reckon God was waving you in to home plate.
Hank Aaron faced death threats from whites with "economic anxiety" https://t.co/TGC8UxK3eJ
— Fuck Conservatives (@FuckCons) January 22, 2021
I defer to those who knew him better than me, but Hank Aaron is the symbol of triumph for grace under fire after what he went through with the home run chase.
— Will Palaszczuk (@WilliePStyle) January 22, 2021
He's definitely the single most important member of Atlanta sports history, and top five in all of sports history.
I will always cherish my brush with him in the Atlanta airport down by the trains. We were walking towards each other and I realized "THAT"S HANK AARON". I was so nervous but somehow was able to muster "Mr. Aaron, how are you", his reply "Just fine son, just fine."
— GMAN Bills Fan (@theo042296) January 22, 2021
Oh btw I’m one of those people who still believe that Roger Maris is the single season Home Run King with 61 homers. Until someone gets above 61 homers that ain’t on juice it’s Maris’ record!
— RustyRagesRegularly (@RustyRages) January 22, 2021
Roger Maris is the single season HR King!
Hank Aaron is the all-time HR King!
Fight me!
RIP to a Legend Hank Aaron. He was my father’s favorite player. https://t.co/MQokYKpMiq
— Damion 2.0 (@themorganrpt) January 22, 2021
I remember as a kid I saved my money and got a subscription to SPORTmagazine and the very first one I got said 714 on it a with a picture of Hank Aaron hitting that historic home run,I'll never forget how thrilled I was I wrapped it in saran wrap and swore I would keep it forever
— Dave's not here maan!🏀⚾️🏈🏒 (@daveyb0072) January 22, 2021
you may remember him for baseball. I remember him for the community work! Hank Aaron Delivers A Powerful Message To The Youth Amid Civil Rights Protests via @forbes https://t.co/LLz1wj7xf6
— Allen Orr Jr. Esq. (@allenorresq) January 22, 2021
What I consider the the holy grail of American sports records is the Career Home Run record in baseball. And Vin Scully was on the mic to call Hank Aaron’s 715th HR. The Babes record was often thought as unbreakable but Hammerin’ Hank did it. And he did it with grace. https://t.co/QJQp3f8RqI
— Piet (@PiederrCryderr) January 22, 2021
I'll never forget listening to an interview with Hank Aaron and how scared he was after he hit 715 when the two white guys ran up to him. He couldn't be certain they were there to celebrate. https://t.co/lzlqndfTZ0
— Grad School Imposter (@darinself) January 22, 2021
In 1988 when I was 12yo I traded a Gregg Jefferies rookie card for this 1964 Topps Hank Aaron. Even then I knew I got the better trade from the poor kid who agreed to it. This card has traveled the world with me since. RIP Hank Aaron. pic.twitter.com/syzXA5iaO6
— Hintman (@HintMan) January 22, 2021
Born in Atlanta, raised in a church that was a hub for the Civil Rights movement in the 60s. You don’t know the memories I have meeting & being taught by so many great men & women.
— Mike Boozer (@MikeBoozer_WSB) January 22, 2021
This photo here says it all. Uncle Andy is hanging on. 4 Generals in less than a year. #HankAaron pic.twitter.com/ZCkz0IP25k
Here is my favorite Hank Aaron baseball card. 1970 Topps. Minding his own business in the tunnel or dugout. His pose and face are just like "Uhhh, can I help you?" Kind of cracks me up. pic.twitter.com/Go5qcQjJEC
— Kenny (@kennyshirley) January 22, 2021
I grew up with a poster of Hank Aaron on my bedroom wall. A white, Phillies fan in South Jersey, I just knew Aaron was someone worth looking up to. And I was right. RIP Hammering Hank! pic.twitter.com/hvIZMTEd6E
— Rick Folbaum (@RickFolbaum) January 22, 2021
One of the most feared hitters I ever saw, and the other is The King. Now both are gone. I’m thankful I was able to give them some kind of tribute through art in my classroom. #RIPKing #HammerinHank #hankaaron pic.twitter.com/gtG5lN06mY
— James Schroeder (@JschroederArt) January 22, 2021
I got to see Hank Aaron play once, when I was 11. He hit 2 doubles. RIP Mr. Aaron. https://t.co/mkUJuo1bOq
— LifetimeIncome4U (@shallwemaui) January 22, 2021
Always loved this story: Letterman, Hank Aaron and an impeached President. pic.twitter.com/P6KQQ0czLW
— Martine St-Victor (@MartineMontreal) January 22, 2021
RIP Hank Aaron
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) January 22, 2021
When he chased Babe Ruth's record, he received over 3,000 letters per day. Most were racist hate mail.
He held on to them as he grew older.
"I read the letters because they remind me not to be surprised or hurt. They remind me what people are really like." pic.twitter.com/8DVPbOI4ee
#restinpeace #hankaaron 🐐 ‼️ #homerunking👑 #minoritybaseballprospects pic.twitter.com/oHftFMkCby
— Minority Baseball Prospects (@MBPTakeover) January 22, 2021
When Hank Aaron broke the home run record, Vin Scully laid out for a minute then summed the moment: “a Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South.”
— Joel Sebastianelli (@JJSebastianelli) January 22, 2021
Muhammad Ali said he was “the only man I idolize more than myself.”
A legend beyond words...but those come close. https://t.co/1osfaZxWWL
I remember when Hank Aaron Stadium opened. Our kid got to run the bases with the mascot and other kids on opening day and get a complete signed ball and pennant from The Mobile Bay Bears team. Time flies.
— TREE TREE B. Quarantine Queen (@TreeTreeB) January 22, 2021
He’s a legend.
RIP Hank Aaron https://t.co/6qeLbGvyri
Hank Aaron passed. I went to the baseball Hall Of Fame and my favorite part was seeing all the Atlanta Braves history. Touching the bricks of Hanks childhood home, seeing his actual locker, and his actual jersey. Braves baseball suffers another blow this week. Rest In Peace King pic.twitter.com/efva7IrYTr
— JDfromNY (@JDfromNY206) January 22, 2021
#HankAaron is on the Mt Rushmore of #MLB players. Never hit 50 home runs in a season, but hit over 40 eight times. Career .305 hitter while having more career walks than strikeouts. The model of consistency and dignity.
— James Hayes (@jamesfhayes) January 22, 2021
I had the good fortune to see a Brewers game at the old Milwaukee County Stadium in 2000, and the whole time all I could think was, Hank Aaron used to play here. History was in those old rafters.
— Dr. Chip Stewart (@MediaLawProf) January 22, 2021
Born in Atlanta, raised in a church that was a hub for the Civil Rights movement in the 60s. You don’t know the memories I have meeting & being taught by so many great men & women.
— Mike B. (@mikeb_news) January 22, 2021
This photo here says it all. Uncle Andy is hanging on. 4 Generals in less than a year. #HankAaron pic.twitter.com/KWyX5BZCJt
Btw, if you are tempted to think of Hank Aaron as just a compiler, check out his career stats against Sandy Koufax https://t.co/7rs8IjVBb4
— Nick Reisman (@NickReisman) January 22, 2021
I read Hank Aaron’s autobiography as a young kid. He included some of the violent, racist correspondence he received while closing in on Babe Ruth’s record. But he was undeterred. I didn’t look at the world the same after that book. What a legend. RIP to the true home run king.
— Tall Tyri❄️n Lannister (@Danmaynard81) January 22, 2021
Hank Aaron never had a 10 WAR season. But his consistent excellence was unreal:
— Adam Darowski (@baseballtwit) January 22, 2021
16 seasons with 6+ WAR
13 seasons with 7+ WAR
8 seasons with 8+ WAR pic.twitter.com/fx6OUcJON9
Rest in Power Hank Aaron
— Tina (@lostdogs20) January 22, 2021
Amazing moment. https://t.co/e0OJMN3xCc
The one and only “Hammerin Hank” has departed this planet.
— NICK COSTA (@ihatenickcosta) January 22, 2021
In his new life, he’s once again starting his journey of being the greatest hitter to ever step to the plate.
RIP Hank Aaron, An American Hero pic.twitter.com/SatWi29bEz