Aaron feared, not hated

To Dodgers’ fans in the 1960s, Hank Aaron wasn’t “Hammerin’ Hank,” his popular nickname. He was Bad Henry.

Because that’s what Vin Scully called him. I don’t think Scully gave Aaron that nickname. Bestowing nicknames wasn’t Scully’s thing. More likely the famed Dodgers’ announcer simply used the name that players bestowed upon Aaron.

It’s possible that Scully preferred “Bad Henry” to “Hammerin’ Hank” because Scully chose to distance himself from the media trend of the era, which was to tell superstars what they would be called.

Roberto Clemente was renamed “Bob,” whether he liked it not. Same with Richie Allen, who preferred to be called Dick.

Plus, Scully used “Bad Henry,” or sometimes “Henry Louis Aaron,” for dramatic effect, sending a chills down the spines of his radio listeners as Aaron strode to the plate.

That bit of ballgame drama came through the radio to this kid, who was thus alerted that his Dodgers were in peril.

Because of Scully’s masterful touch, his radio audience didn’t hate the bad guys, we feared ’em, and respected ’em. To Dodgers fans under Scully’s spell, Willie Mays represented the joy of the game, Clemente represented grace, with a stylistic flair. And Bad Henry Aaron was not as cartoon villain, but a quiet and dignified threat to our team’s wellbeing.

William A. Smith / Associated Press 1964 Scott Ostler says Hank Aaron was his generation’s Joe DiMaggio. Here they’re wearing “Sultan of Swat” crowns in 1964. Dodgers announcer Vin Scully, however, called Aaron “Bad Henry.”

Scully paid Aaron respect by not tagging him with a silly nickname.