Half a century has passed since the baseball world celebrated the iconic Hank Aaron smashing his 715th home run, shattering one of the sport's most revered records. In commemoration of this milestone, Aaron is set to be honored posthumously with a statue and a stamp.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N. Y. announced on Monday the forthcoming unveiling of a new statue paying tribute to the legendary baseball player. The bronze statue will be placed on the first floor of the museum.
"Hank Aaron's legacy has always transcended his remarkable baseball accomplishments," stated Jane Forbes Clark, chair of the Hall of Fame board. "His philanthropic endeavors, advocacy for youth empowerment, and groundbreaking contributions as an executive have paved the way for countless individuals in the United States and across the globe."
In a statement, Aaron's widow Billye expressed her belief that her late husband would have been delighted and thrilled to see the statue on public display.
"His life and legacy reflected his high hopes and big dreams. Both inspired and propelled him to incredible accomplishments in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles," she said. "He wanted to be an inspiration to young boys and girls everywhere."
Also on Monday, the U.S. Postal Service announced that it will issue a commemorative Forever stamp to honor and celebrate Aaron's life and career.
The stamp art will feature a digital painting of Aaron as a member of the Braves.
"The selvage showcases a digital painting of Aaron watching the ball he had just hit for his record-breaking 715th home run on April 8, 1974," USPS said in a statement.
The official first day of issue and stamp dedication ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Aaron had a celebrated 23-year big-league career with the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. On April 8, 1974, his 715th career home run surpassed Babe Ruth atop Major League Baseball's home run list.
By the end of his career, Aaron had 755 home runs to his name, a mark that stood until Barry Bonds hit 762 from 1986-2007, a feat assisted by performance-enhancing drugs.
He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. A 25-time All-Star, he set a record with 2,297 RBIs. He continues to hold the records for 1,477 extra-base hits and 6,856 total bases.
Aaron died in January 2021.
