ATLANTA, GA. (WTAQ) – One of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history has reportedly passed away.
Former Milwaukee Braves and Brewers great and longtime Major League Baseball home run king Hank Aaron has died, according to reports from an Atlanta television station. Aaron died Friday morning. He was 86.
BREAKING NEWS: Hall of Famer and one-time home run king Atlanta Braves legend Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron passed away this morning at the age of 86. https://t.co/v72XAnGpmY
— CBS46 (@cbs46) January 22, 2021
The ‘New Sultan of Swat’ started his career with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, just the second year they were based in Milwaukee. He won the National League MVP in 1957, which was the same year the Braves won the World Series. That championship remains the only MLB title for a Milwaukee-based team.
Aaron stuck with the team as the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966. In 1974, he broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record by bombing his 715th long shot.
He returned to Milwaukee in 1975, signing with the Brewers for the final two years of his career. 22 home runs in Milwaukee gave him a total of 755 career home runs, a record that stood until Barry Bonds broke it in 2007.
The Brewers retired Aaron’s number 44 following the 1976 season.
