The USPS has released a Forever stamp honoring baseball legend Hank Aaron. The stamp features a digital portrait of Aaron in his Atlanta Braves uniform, capturing his iconic right-handed batting stance. The stamp pane also includes a digital painting of Aaron watching his historic 715th home run, based on a 1974 photograph.
The stamp was designed by Greg Breeding with original art by Chuck Styles.
Hank Aaron, often referred to as “Hammerin’ Hank,” had an illustrious career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanning 23 seasons from 1954 to 19761. Here are some highlights:
- Teams: He played primarily for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-1974) and finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers (1975-1976).
- Records: Aaron holds several MLB records, including the most career runs batted in (RBIs) with 2,297, the most extra-base hits with 1,477, and the most total bases with 6,8561. He is also third all-time in career hits (3,771) and fifth in runs scored (2,174).
- Home Runs: He famously broke Babe Ruth’s home run record by hitting his 715th home run on April 8, 19741. He ended his career with 755 home runs, a record that stood until 20071.
- Awards: Aaron was a 25-time All-Star, won the National League (NL) MVP award in 1957, and was a two-time NL batting champion.
- Legacy: Beyond his on-field achievements, Aaron was known for his grace and dignity in the face of adversity, particularly during his pursuit of the home run record amidst significant racial hostility
Aaron’s impact on baseball and American society is profound, making him one of the most revered figures in sports history.
