New York sports radio host Mike Francesa tweeted a eulogy for Hank Aaron on Friday, and he couldn't help but take a slight back-handed dig at one of the greatest baseball players who ever lived.
āHe didn't have the explosive magic of Mantle or the charisma of Mays. He played in Milwaukee and Atlanta at a time when that mattered. But Aaron was a dignified force, an all-around performer who dared to break āthe' record. He was a true hero,ā Francesca wrote.
Aaron passed away at the age of 86. The Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves icon is one of the most towering sports figures of the 20th century. Despite being on the receiving end of constant racism and hatred, Aaron hit the second-most homers (755) and drove in the most runs in baseball history. He made 21 consecutive All-Star teams from 1955-75, among countless other accomplishments in his unparalleled career.
Francesa's tweet is referencing the long-held and debatable assessment of Aaron's game: a hallmark of consistency, longevity, and quiet dignity, who was solid-to-good in nearly every aspect of the sport but not elite in one particular category.
Hammerin' Hank ranks first all-time in total bases (6,856) with career splits of .305/.375/.355. He also won three Gold Gloves, stole 20 or more bases six times, and slugged at least 24 home runs in 19 different seasons. He won National League MVP honors in 1957, after hitting .322 with 44 homers and 132 RBIs.
His 715th home run to surpass Babe Ruth as the all-time home run king (at the time) in April of 1974 remains one of the most indelible moments in MLB history.
Rest in Peace to Henry āHankā Aaron, a true legend.
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