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For so many reasons, Hank Aaron was an American hero.
On one muggy, summer night in St. Louis, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, and Hank Aaron all jogged out to take their place in the field.
They were the National League’s starting outfielders in the 1966 All-Star Game.
On one muggy, summer night in St. Louis, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, and Hank Aaron all jogged out to take their place in the field.
They were the National League’s starting outfielders in the 1966 All-Star Game.
They were arguably the three greatest outfielders to ever play the game.
But the symbolism ran deeper: Clemente had been born 13 years *before* Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.
And now, just 19 years after Jackie broke that ceiling, they were all on a path to the HOF.
But the symbolism ran deeper: Clemente had been born 13 years *before* Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.
And now, just 19 years after Jackie broke that ceiling, they were all on a path to the HOF.
That 1966 team included Sandy Koufax, the greatest Jewish pitcher of all-time, and Juan Marichal, a Catholic, Dominican Hall-of-Famer.
It featured Curt Flood, a future labor movement hero, and Jim Bunning, a future Republican Senator from Kentucky.
Working together, they won.
It featured Curt Flood, a future labor movement hero, and Jim Bunning, a future Republican Senator from Kentucky.
Working together, they won.
And Aaron's death today should remind us of that mid-July night -- a night when Americans of all creeds, colors, and convictions came together. Our divided country could benefit from their example.
May Hammerin' Hank's memory be a blessing.
May Hammerin' Hank's memory be a blessing.
