Henry Aaron

Hank Aaron's record breaking home run ball (http://www.citizensmedal.com/HankAaron715.jpg)

Hank Aaron is one of the greatest American sports athletes. He hit 755 regular season home runs and 2297 RBI's, both Major League records. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Hank Aaron's record breaking 715th home run (http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/african/2000/1974_03b.jpg)

Hank Aaron helped shatter the color barrier in baseball becoming arguably the greatest African-American athlete ever to play the game. His suffering provided a vivid, personal lesson for a generation of children: Racism is wrong. Some Americans were like demons coming into the light when Hank Aaron was chasing his record. Hank Aaron cleared a path for other great black American athletes such as Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

Hank Aaron inspired a generation of black children to play baseball. He proved that black baseball players can be great when the game had a history of having all white players. The day Hank Aaron hit his record-breaking home run was as crazy as flying to Mars. The smell of peanuts and hot dogs was in the air and the crowd was filled with excitment as Hank Aaron was only 1 home run away from breaking the home run record. Every eye was glued to Hank Aaron as he stepped up to the plate. A swing and the ball was out of the park like a missle shooting through the air.

Hank Aaron is the record holder for home runs even when most Americans did not want an African-American holding the record. America's most beloved white sports icon - Babe Ruth - held the record before Aaron. It showed true bravery to chase the record with so many people going against him. Hank Aaron hit the record-breaking home run like a wreckingball smashing a building.

Hank Aaron's home run truly changed America. After awhile, most Americnas respected Hank Aaron. He helped stop racism in baseball, and in America. Hank Aaron once told Dusty Baker to pursue baseball with his whole heart. Dusty Baker won manager of the year 3 times after that. Hank Aaron really understands the meaning of the game of baseball.