H
enry Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s career record of 714 home runs to become the greatest long-ball hitter in baseball history. He now holds the record for the most career homers.
Hank Aaron didn’t start at the top. In fact, he didn’t even play baseball in high school because his school didn’t have a team. Instead, he considered himself a bookworm. It wasn’t until he was in his early twenties that Aaron finally caught baseball fever and decided to pursue a professional career in sports.
At the time, there were few Blacks playing in major-league baseball. So he joined a semipro team called the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League.
Henry played for $200 a month, waiting and praying for his first big break. Then a Milwaukee Braves scout spotted him and signed him to the “big time.” When Henry stepped to the batter’s box for the first time in his major league career, he was understandably nervous. There were two outs. The pressure was on. Thousands of eyes waited for him to perform. To cap it off, the opposing team catcher sneered at Henry as he came to the plate. As Henry held the bat with a cross-handed grip, the catcher sneered, “Hey, kid, you’re holding the bat wrong. You’re supposed to see the label of the bat.”
Henry turned and looked straight into the catcher’s eyes. “I didn’t come here to read,” he said, “I came here to hit.” With that, he drilled the next pitch into the outfield and laughed his way to first base.
Henry Aaron became one of baseball’s all-time greats. And from firsthand experience, he understands the saying, “Believe in yourself. At times you’re the only one who will.”