Hank Aaron

Kemp orders flags at half-staff in memory of Hank Aaron

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered that all flags flown in Georgia fly at half-staff to honor the memory of Braves legend Hank Aaron. "Our family was heartbroken to hear the news of Hank Aaron's passing. Hank Aaron was an American icon and one of Georgia's greatest legends. His life and career made history, and his influence was felt not only in the world of sports, but far beyond - through his important work to advance civil rights and create a more equal, just society," Kemp said. Under the order, flags will fly at half-staff from Jan. 22 through the…

Georgians pay tribute to Hank Aaron

Georgia's leaders and elected officials paid tribute to baseball legend and former Braves player Hank Aaron upon hearing of his death Friday. Aaron, who broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record, was 86. Below are the words and tributes of Georgia's leaders. Atlanta City Council Member Andre Dickens: 'We have lost an Atlanta legend' “If my generation and the generation behind me aren’t watching, we are blind – we are being called into action now. Big shoes don’t get filled with just talk, but by taking a stand. We have lost an Atlanta legend. Henry “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron is and…

Hank Aaron: In His Own Words

Baseball legend Hank Aaron will be remembered for his record number of home runs and his accomplishments in sports, but he will also be remembered for his contributions to society off the field. Below is a collection of quotes from "Hammerin' Hank" that give insight into the man behind the legend. Read them to see how he viewed his role in breaking color barriers, the struggles he faced breaking Babe Ruth's record, and how he would like to be remembered. "My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off…

Braves legend Hank Aaron dies

Hank Aaron smashed baseballs — and he smashed racial barriers. The Atlanta Braves legend and American icon died Friday at the age of 86. Aaron broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record in 1974 — a once-unimaginable baseball feat — and held the record for more than three decades. “Those moments that I had back then taught me a lesson," Aaron once told GPB. “No matter what you take for granted, you try to do the very best you could to be sure that you made things worthwhile.” He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2006: “I would just want to be remembered as…