Henry Aaron, who died last week, is one of the all-time best baseball players. Aaron still has the lifetime record for RBIs and held the home run record before Barry Bonds tainted it. Think of that – two thirds of the lifetime triple crown. He’s third in hits all time, too. In addition to his great baseball achievements, he fought racism. Aaron’s career reminds me of Walter Payton. They were rarely regarded as the best in any season but they played at an extremely high level forever. In addition to his great baseball achievements, he fought racism.
I saw Aaron at a book signing in Washington for his 1991 autobiography I Had a Hammer. Many years after his playing career ended, he still drew a huge crowd.