The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SOME memories are worth cherishing, especially one when reflecting on the passing of persons who have impacted their lives.

Hank Aaron, who had played in 23 seasons in Major League Baseball as a right fielder from 1954-1976, died on January 22 at the age of 86.

I recall, on one of his many visits to the Bahamas, the legendary late Henry Louis Aaron, affectionately known as ‘Hammerin’ Hank,’ personally autographed a baseball for me.

At the time, I had just recently started my journey as a sports reporter at The Tribune.

It was on Friday, October 19, one day before my birthday, I was invited by former tourism executive and Bahamas Baseball Association Commissioner Athama Bowe to do an interview with Aaron over lunch at Herbie’s Place. Aaron, a keen friend of the Maynard Family and the late Andre Rodgers, the first Bahamian to play in MLB, was a soft spoken, kind hearted person, who was well liked by all whom he came in contact with.

The Bahamas was considered a “home away from home,” for Aaron, who was personally instructed by Bowe to be invited by then Minister of Sports, the late Peter Bethell, to attend the official ceremony and rededication of the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium on Friday, June 9, 1989.

A year later, in a less formal visit to the Bahamas, I had my personal encounter with Aaron as he signed the autographed ball for me on Friday,, October 19, 1990.

I won’t disclose where the ball is now, but it was one of those many memories that I would cherish for the rest of my life. Thanks to Aaron, who played in 3,298 games and produced a career batting average of 755 from 12,364 at-bats with 3,771 hits, 2,297 runs batted in (RBI) with 755 home runs, 1,402 walks and 1,383 strikeouts with 2,174 runs scored.

Although he was known as a right fielder, Aaron played several in and outfield positions and finished his final two years as a designated player.

He remained in baseball after his retirement by holding front office roles with the Atlanta Braves, including senior vice president.

After he was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988, MLB introduced the Hank Aaron Award in 1989 to recognize the top offensive players in each league.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002; was named a 2010 Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society in recognition of accomplishments that reflect the ideals of Georgia’s founders.

Aaron, who played with the lte Wentie Ford in 1973, resided near Atlanta until his death.