Aaron beloved by many
“Thank you for everything you ever taught us, for being a trailblazer through adversity and setting an example for all of us African-American ballplayers who came after you. Being able to grow up and have the idols and role models I did, help shape me for a future I could have never dreamed of.”
— Barry Bonds, who broke Aaron’s home run
record of 755, on Twitter
“Not long ago, he and I were walking the streets of Washington, D.C, together and talking about how we’ve been the best of friends for more than 60 years. Then Hank said, ‘Who would have ever thought all those years ago that a Black kid from Mobile, Alabama, would break Babe Ruth’s home run record and a Jewish kid from Milwaukee would become the commissioner of baseball?’ Aaron was beloved by his teammates and by his fans. He was a true Hall of Famer in every way.”
— Bud Selig, former MLB Commissioner
“Hank symbolized the very best of our game, and his allaround excellence provided Americans and fans across the world with an example to which to aspire. His career demonstrates that a person who goes to work with humility every day can hammer his way into history — and find a way to shine like no other.” | — Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner
“Hank was a great ballplayer who played hard every day and accomplished so much on and off the field. Although we were never teammates, we played in many All-Star games together and I enjoyed our friendship over the years. He was a very humble and quiet man and just simply a good guy.”
— Willie Mays, Hall of Famer
“I can’t imagine what Hank Aaron went through in his lifetime. He spread his grace on everything and every one he came in contact with. Epitome of class and integrity.”
— Chipper Jones, Hall of Famer
“Rosalynn and I are saddened by the passing of our dear friend Henry Aaron. One of the greatest baseball players of all time, he has been a personal hero to us. A breaker of records and racial barriers, his remarkable legacy will continue to inspire countless athletes and admirers for generations to come.”
— Jimmy Carter,
former President
“A child of the Jim Crow South, Hank quit high school to join the Negro League, playing shortstop for $200 a month before earning a spot in Major League Baseball. Humble and hardworking, Hank was often overlooked until he started chasing Babe Ruth’s home run record, at which point he began receiving death threats and racist letters — letters he would reread decades later to remind himself ‘not to be surprised or hurt.’ Those letters changed Hank, but they didn’t stop him.”
— Barack Obama, former President
“Hank Aaron changed my life. The greatest moment I ever got to be a part of was catching 715. That moment bonded us forever as friends and teammates..”
— Tom House, former Atlanta pitcher
“The ultimate Home Run King, Hank would often remind us to ‘Keep Swinging.’ He said, ‘My motto in life was to keep swinging, whether I was in a slump on the field, feeling bad or having trouble off the field — JUST KEEP SWINGING.’ I will miss you my friend, but you inspired me to KEEP SWINGING.”