New member of the 600 club San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds (L) is congratulated by the leading all time homerun king Hank Aaron (R) during a pre-game ceremony at Pacific Bell Park 23 August 2002 in San Francisco. AFP PHOTO/Monica M. DAVEY (Photo by MONICA DAVEY / AFP) (Photo by MONICA DAVEY/AFP via Getty Images)
Hall of Famer Barry Bonds expresses his thoughts on the passing of Atlanta Braves legend and baseball icon Hank Aaron.
The sports world has been shaken to its core today following the passing of baseball legend and American hero Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron at the age of 86. Tributes have started to pour in commemorating his life, legacy, and contributions to American history and the Civil Rights movement.
Hall of Fame hitter Barry Bonds took a moment to express all that Aaron meant to him and his journey as an African American man in Major League Baseball. Barry Bonds, who holds the Major League Baseball home run record with 762, eclipsed Aaron, who hit 755, for the title on August 7, 2007.
Rest In Peace #HankAaron. A true baseball legend. pic.twitter.com/bDeuzfh8hx
— Barry L Bonds (@BarryBonds) January 22, 2021
Bonds and Aaron were close, and his statement reflected just that
Aaron paved the way for young African American players like Bonds to be able to thrive in the major leagues. Many have and will continue to address Aaron as the one true Home Run King. Aaron finished his career a 25-time All-Star and is undoubtedly one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
The loss of Aaron comes less than a week after fellow Hall of Famer and legendary Braves broadcaster Don Sutton passed away on January 18.
Hank Aaron’s impact continues to be felt and heard as athletes push for social justice change and use their platforms to address the state of the world today, as Aaron so eloquently did so many years ago.
Rest in peace to a baseball great. You will be missed, Hammerin Hank.