STATS THAT EXPLAIN AARON’S GREATNESS

755

Aaron’s career home run record stood until Bonds hit his 756th in 2007. Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s previous record of 714 on April 8, 1974, a two-run shot off the Dodgers’ Al Downing.

2,297

Aaron is baseball’s all-time RBI leader with 2,297, driving in more than 100 runs in 11 different seasons. Albert Pujols, 41, is the only active player within reach of the record, entering the 2021 season with 2,100 RBI.

25

Aaron was a 25-time All-Star, the most of any player in history. He only played 23 seasons, but there were multiple All-Star Games from 1959 to 1962.

6,856

Aaron has the most total bases in MLB history, 722 ahead of second-place Stan Musial and 790 more than third-place Willie Mays.

3,000

With an infield single on May 17, 1970, Aaron became the first player in baseball history with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

“This is a great feeling, you have to remember so many great ballplayers to play this game – and I’m speaking about guys like Ruth, (Ted) Williams, just to name a few – and haven’t accomplished this feat,” Aaron said after his 3,000th hit. “I feel like a newborn child.”

20

Aaron is the only player in baseball history to hit 20 home runs in 20 different seasons. He is one of only two players with 15 seasons of at least 30 home runs.

13

Aaron finished in the top 10 in the MVP voting 13 times in his 23-year career. He won the award as a 23-year-old in 1957, batting .322 with 44 home runs and 132 RBI for the Milwaukee Braves.

BOB DAUGHERTY/AP Hank Aaron celebrates after his 715th career home run in 1974.