LAST UPDATED ON 2021-01-22 11:14:35

MLB Hall of Famer Hank Aaron passes away at 86

By Mitch Spinell

Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron has passed away at the age of 86.

Aaron was one of the most prolific sluggers in baseball history, hitting a then-record 755 home runs over 23 seasons with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers in a career that spanned from 1954 to 1976.

A 25-time All-Star, Aaron still holds major league records for runs batted in (2,297), total bases (6,856), and extra-base hits (1,477), and he ranks among MLB's best in hits (3,771, third all-time), games played (3,298, third) and runs scored (2,174, fourth).

In 1974, Aaron passed Babe Ruth for the most home runs for a career, hitting the record-breaking 715th homer off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Al Downing on April 8, 1974. His record would stand until September 2007, when Barry Bonds set the record at 762.

Among Aaron's accomplishments were the 1957 National League Most Valuable Player Award, as well as a World Series championship with the Braves that season over the New York Yankees; two N.L. batting titles (1956, '59); and three Gold Gloves in right field (1958-60).

Aaron also led the National League in home runs four different times (1957, '63, '66, '67), as well as RBIs (1957, '60, '63, '66). He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.