American Heroes~Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron (1934)~by rldubour

Knowing your American Heroes

 

Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron (1934)

 

Born in Mobile, Alabama

To Herbert and Estelle Aaron.

Is one of seven siblings

This is where he did begin.

 

Hank and his brother Tommy

They both went on to play.

Together they hold the record

For most homeruns that stands today.

 

Growing up his family poor

His balls were bottle caps.

Even then his love for baseball

Was using sticks instead of bats.

 

He attended Central High School

Where even football did excel.

Was offered several scholarships

Destined for fame one could tell.

 

Signed with the Indianapolis Clowns

His major league career had begun.

On November twentieth

In nineteen-fifty-one.

 

The Boston Braves bought his contract

Ten thousand dollars it would be.

Married his sweetheart Barbara Lewis

On October sixth in fifty-three.

 

Nicknamed the “Hammer”

Or “Hammerin Hank.”

His consistency in playing

Among the top he ranks.

 

In June of two-thousand-two

Hank Aaron would become.

Awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor

The Presidential Metal of Freedom.

 

In what major baseball officials

Calls a long overdue oversight.

An additional fifty homeruns

Would make Hank Aaron’s record right.

 

A hero in American baseball

Hangs in the Hall of Fame.

Fifth on the list of greatest players

Forever will live his name.