Let's Recall Hank Aaron's First Major League Baseball Home Run!

By Gary Livacari

"I looked for the same pitch my whole career, a breaking ball. All of the time. I never worried about the fastball. They couldn't throw it past me, none of them." -Hank Aaron

Last month marked the seventieth anniversary of “promising rookie” Hank Aaron hitting the first of his 755 home runs. Hank’s solo round-tripper came on April 23, 1954, at Busch Stadium. The blast came in the sixth inning off Cardinals starting pitcher, Vic Raschi, in the Braves’ extra inning 7-5 victory over the Cardinals. This was Hank’s seventh major league game.

In looking over the box score for this game, it was played in front of 14, 577 fans in 4:02. In addition to Hank, there were four other future Hall of Famers on the field that day: Eddie Mathews for the Braves; Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial for the Cardinals; and umpire Al Barlick. Older baseball fans will remember the other three umpires: Lon Warneke, Augie Donatelli, and Lee Ballanfant. The winning pitcher for the Braves was Dave Jolly in relief of starter, Gene Conley, and the loser was Cot Deal.

Other familiar names in the game that day for the Braves included Andy Pafko in center, Joe Adcock at first, Johnny Logan at short, and Del Crandall behind the plate. This was the nucleus of the team that went on to win the 1957 and ’58 National League pennants and the 1957 World Series. For the Cardinals, Wally Moon was in center, and future Cardinals’ manager Solly Hemus at short. Pitcher Harvey Haddix made an appearance as a pinch runner. The Braves, led by manager Charlie Grimm, went on to a third-place 89-65 finish. The Cardinals, under manager Eddie Stanky, finished sixth at 72-82.

What a Career!

And what a career the "promising rookie" would have. "Hammerin’ Hank” played 21 seasons for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and two seasons for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1954 through 1976, after appearing briefly in the Negro American League. Over his career, Hank hit .305 with 3771 hits (3rd all-time), 2174 runs (4th all-time, tied with Babe Ruth), 755 home runs (2nd all-time), 2297 RBI (1st all-time), 6856 total bases (1st all-time), 1477 extra-base hits (1st all-time), .374 on-base percentage, .555 slugging average, 12,365 at-bats (2nd all-time), and 3,298 games played (2nd all-time).

Other career highlights include 25 All-star team selections (every year between 1955-1975), and tied with Willie Mays and Stan Musial for the most All-Star Games played (24); one World Series championship (1957); National League MVP award (1957); three-time Gold Glove award; 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, 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. He is one of only four players to have at least 17 seasons with 150 or more hits. At the time of his retirement, Aaron held most of the game’s key career power records.

President George W. Bush presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to baseball legend Henry Aaron at the White House, July 9, 2002.Photo byWhite House Archives

Hank Aaron’s MVP Season, 1957

In 1957, Hank batted .322, placing third, and led the league in home runs (44) and RBIs (132). He also scored 118 runs, and 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 celebrating teammates. Milwaukee went on to win the 1957 World Series against the Yankees. Aaron did his part by hitting .393 with three homers and seven RBI.

In his last season, Hank became the last major leaguer to have played in the Negro Leagues. The Sporting News ranked him fifth on its list of the "100 Greatest Baseball Players" in 1999. In 1982, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.

It's hard to put in words the impact the "promising young rookie" named Hank Aaron had on the game and the legacy he left us. It's safe to say we will probably never see his likes again.

Gary Livacari is a long-time SABR member and the administrator/editor of the Baseball History Comes Alive.