This year is the 40th anniversary that Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s Home Run record and a great time to see Hank Aaron’s Childhood Home and Museum. I had a chance to go to Mobile, Alabama this past month and see the home. It’s an incredibly well done museum and a real tribute to the Aaron family . I visited before a game of Mobile BayBear’s. The actual house was moved 7 miles from it’s original location and now sits in front of Mobile’s AA Minor League Stadium complex that bears his name. It was originally built by Hank Aaron’s father, Herbert, from recycled lumber that the family got from the dump. It was put together, one room at a time. Hank’s mother, Estelle, lived in the house until shortly before her death in 2005.
The home’s open during weekend games and 9-4 Monday through Friday. The admission is $5
The home has a lot of cool baseball memorabilia of Hank Aaron and his brother Tommie – who also was a major league player. Hank Aaron is one the countries biggest sports icon’s ever and one of the best players to of ever played baseball, with records still standing today. An amazing 2297 Runs Batted In, 1477 Extra Base hits, 15 Years of over 30 home runs and 6856 total bases. And of course, Hank Aaron’s home run record of 755, that lasted from 1974 to 2007.
The things that that I really came away with from the museum is just what a decent and classy man Hank Aaron is. The heirlooms and actual home of the Aaron’s show what the family was able to accomplish under such difficult conditions of the Jim Crow South. Faith, family, hard work and love of community are some of the values that the Aaron family has on display at the museum. You really don’t need to be a baseball fan at all to appreciate the museum.
In a USA Today article about the 40th anniversary of Hank’s home run record , his friend Bud Selig, Commissioner of Baseball was quoted as saying this about Hank Aaron.
“There isn’t a doubt in my mind that he was the perfect man to do it,”representing this sport socially and everything that happened during that time. Henry took a lot of abuse when he broke that record, but he rose above all that.”
“I can’t think of a better human being to achieve what he did and carry himself the way he has, and, as a result, baseball is better because of him.”
And former teammate and great hitter Charlie Garr, said this about Hank.
“He’s one of the most beautiful people in the world, and you have no idea how many people he helped. As great a ballplayer as he was, he was even a better person.”
http://www.usatoday.com/story/…n-babe-ruth/7432225/
Hank Aaron summed up the importance of the family home and the dedication of it as a museum in 2010, by saying.
“I have had great things happen to me, but today is the greatest day I have ever had in my entire life,”
and
“This is a wonderful personal honor, and I hope it inspires the boys and girls of Mobile to dream big, and to work hard so that they can see their dreams realized,”
http://www.milb.com/news/artic…p&vkey=news_milb
Thanks for a great nostalgic look at one of my baseball heroes: a great craftsman on the field, and a solid human with not a lot of “front” and a real commitment to team and to others. Some of today’s players should visit!
I still have a Time magazine somewhere from the week that Hank broke Babe Ruth’s record. I collected things this and recall what a big deal it was at the time (justifiably so).
A nice look at a piece of classic America. I’ve never been to Mobile, but I’m intrigued now.
Very interesting…Next best thing to being there!
Merci Rob.
DrFumblefinger- Mobile is really worth a visit and I’m sure you’d enjoy it!
I’m putting together a few pieces on Government St. in Mobile . I am so impressed by that street alone .Really one of my favorite historic streets anywhere.
Very interesting. Hope to see it one day. However, I also feel that Àaron is STILL the leader in homeruns. 😀