A Tribute to the 1957 MVP: “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron

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A Tribute to the 1957 MVP: “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron

Fifty-nine years ago today, November 14, 1957, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voted Hank Aaron the 1957 Most Valuable Player. Hank received 239 votes, narrowly beating out the Cardinals’ Stan Musial with 230 and Red Schoendiest, with 221. This occasion gives us an opportunity to say a few words about the amazing career of the great Hall-of-Famer, Hank Aaron.

Hank Aaron played 23 seasons in the major leagues with Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves (1954-74), and the Milwaukee Brewers (1975-76). Aaron appeared briefly in the Negro American League before starting his major league career, and was the last former Negro League player to appear on a major league roster.

Over his career Hank hit .305 with 3771 hits (third all-time), 2174 runs (tied for fourth all-time with Babe Ruth), 755 home runs (second all-time), 2297 RBI (current major league record), .374 on-base percentage, and .555 slugging average. He also holds the major league records for extra base hits (1477) and total bases (6856).

Just a few others of Hank Aaron’s career highlights include: 25 All-star team selections (every year between 1955-1975); tied with Willie Mays and Stan Musial for the most All-Star Games played (24); one World Series championship (1957); three-time Gold Glove winner; two-time National League batting champion; four-time National League home run champion; and four-time National League RBI champion.

Aaron held the major league record for career home runs for 33 years with 715, breaking the record set by Babe Ruth, until his record was eclipsed by Barry Bonds during the tainted steroid era. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973, and is the only player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times.

Aaron is one of only four players to have at least 17 seasons with 150 or more hits. Hank is in second place in at-bats (12,364), and in third place in games played (3,298). At the time of his retirement, Aaron held most of the game’s key career power hitting records.

Hank Aaron’s MVP Season: 1957

In 1957, Aaron batted .322 and led the league in home runs (44) and RBIs (132). He also scored 118 runs, posted a .378 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging average. On September 23, 1957, Aaron hit a two-run game-ending home run in Milwaukee, clinching the pennant for the Braves and was carried off the field by his teammates. Milwaukee went on to win the World Series against the New York Yankees in which Aaron hit .393 with three homers and seven RBI.

Since his retirement, Aaron has held front office roles with the Atlanta Braves. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. His #44 has been retired by the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked Aaron fifth on their “100 Greatest Baseball Players” list. He has also been named to the Major League All-Century team. In 1999, Major League Baseball introduced the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the top offensive players in each league. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.

-Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from the Hank Aaron Wikipedia page. Statistics from Baseball -Reference.com, Hank Aaron page

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