Legendary MLB star Hank Aaron passed away Friday at the age of 86. His career was marked with incredible accomplishments, including passing Babe Ruth\u2019s long-standing home run record. Now, his 755 home runs in MLB rank second all-time behind Barry Bonds and his name is all over the record books in almost every statistical category.<\/p>\n
“It is with great sadness we share the passing of our home run king, Hank Aaron, who passed away peacefully in his sleep,” his former team, the Atlanta Braves, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“We are absolutely devastated by the passing of our beloved Hank,” Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk added separately. “He was a beacon for our organization first as a player, then with player development, and always with our community efforts. His incredible talent and resolve helped him achieve the highest accomplishments, yet he never lost his humble nature.”<\/p>\n
Aaron, known as “Hammer” or “Hammerin’ Hank,” was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 for his record in home runs. Aaron’s incredible achievement came in the shadow of hate and death threats from people who did not want a Black man to claim such an important record.<\/p>\n
“There were times during the chase when I was so angry and tired and sick of it all that I wished I could get on a plane and not get off until I was someplace where they never heard of Babe Ruth,” he wrote in his “I Had a Hammer” autobiography.<\/p>\n
“But damn it all, I had to break that record. I had to do it for Jackie (Robinson) and my people and myself and for everybody who ever called me a [N-word].”<\/p>\n
The cause of death was not disclosed.<\/p>\n