Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, etched his name into sports immortality when he broke Babe Ruth's record for career home runs.

Aaron smashed the record-breaking 715th home run on April 8, 1974, and he finished with 755 home runs when he retired in 1976.

"Hammerin' Hank" was selected for a record 25 All-Star Games over his career. He is now second all-time for home runs, behind Barry Bonds, and he remains the career leader for runs batted in (2,297). He is also in the top five for hits (3,771) and runs (2,174).

Aaron was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, and he overcame poverty and racism on his way to becoming an icon. When he was chasing Ruth's record, Aaron received death threats and hate mail and was taunted daily at ballparks. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali once said Aaron was "the only man I idolize more than myself."

Aaron died in 2021 at the age of 86.

Aaron slides back to third base during an exhibition game in 1954. Aaron's career began in the Negro Leagues before he broke into the majors with the Milwaukee Braves.
Aaron slides back to third base during an exhibition game in 1954. Aaron's career began in the Negro Leagues before he broke into the majors with the Milwaukee Braves.
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Aaron is carried off the field by his teammates after Milwaukee won the National League pennant in 1957.
Aaron is carried off the field by his teammates after Milwaukee won the National League pennant in 1957.
AP
Aaron poses with New York Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle in 1957. That season, Aaron was named the National League's Most Valuable Player and his team defeated the Yankees to win the World Series.
Aaron poses with New York Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle in 1957. That season, Aaron was named the National League's Most Valuable Player and his team defeated the Yankees to win the World Series.
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Aaron hits the ball during a World Series game in 1957. Aaron led the Braves in the Series with 11 hits, includes three home runs and a triple, and he drove in seven runs.
Aaron hits the ball during a World Series game in 1957. Aaron led the Braves in the Series with 11 hits, includes three home runs and a triple, and he drove in seven runs.
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Aaron holds his MVP award with Braves pitcher Warren Spahn, who won the Cy Young Award that year.
Aaron holds his MVP award with Braves pitcher Warren Spahn, who won the Cy Young Award that year.
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Aaron and his first wife, Barbara, look at their newborn twins Lary, left, and Gary in 1957. Gary died in the hospital.
Aaron and his first wife, Barbara, look at their newborn twins Lary, left, and Gary in 1957. Gary died in the hospital.
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Aaron uses film to study his batting in 1959.
Aaron uses film to study his batting in 1959.
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Fans rush to the fence at San Francisco's Candlestick Park as Aaron reaches for a catch in 1961. Aaron won three Golden Glove awards for his fielding during his career.
Fans rush to the fence at San Francisco's Candlestick Park as Aaron reaches for a catch in 1961. Aaron won three Golden Glove awards for his fielding during his career.
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Aaron, left, is joined by his brother, Tommie, as the Braves began spring training in 1962.
Aaron, left, is joined by his brother, Tommie, as the Braves began spring training in 1962.
Paul Shane/AP
Aaron tries a lollipop with his niece, Wonya Lucas, in 1967. He had just signed a new two-year contract worth $100,000 a year.
Aaron tries a lollipop with his niece, Wonya Lucas, in 1967. He had just signed a new two-year contract worth $100,000 a year.
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Future US President Jimmy Carter, then the governor of Georgia, laughs with Aaron during a clubhouse visit in 1973.
Future US President Jimmy Carter, then the governor of Georgia, laughs with Aaron during a clubhouse visit in 1973.
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Aaron waves to Atlanta fans on the final day of the regular season in 1973. He ended the season with 713 home runs, one away from Babe Ruth's record.
Aaron waves to Atlanta fans on the final day of the regular season in 1973. He ended the season with 713 home runs, one away from Babe Ruth's record.
AP
Lights shine in front of Aaron during a news conference in 1974.
Lights shine in front of Aaron during a news conference in 1974.
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Aaron hits his record-breaking 715th home run at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on April 8, 1974.
Aaron hits his record-breaking 715th home run at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on April 8, 1974.
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Aaron eyes the flight of his record-breaking home run in Atlanta.
Aaron eyes the flight of his record-breaking home run in Atlanta.
Harry Harris/AP
Aaron holds up his record-breaking ball.
Aaron holds up his record-breaking ball.
AP
Aaron takes part in Flag Day ceremonies on the floor of the US House of Representatives in 1974.
Aaron takes part in Flag Day ceremonies on the floor of the US House of Representatives in 1974.
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Aaron waves to the crowd as grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California, in 1975. Riding with him in the car is his second wife, Billye.
Aaron waves to the crowd as grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California, in 1975. Riding with him in the car is his second wife, Billye.
AP
Aaron speaks as his number 44 was retired by the Braves in 1977. Aaron retired in 1976.
Aaron speaks as his number 44 was retired by the Braves in 1977. Aaron retired in 1976.
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Aaron watches a Braves game with team owner Ted Turner in 1977.
Aaron watches a Braves game with team owner Ted Turner in 1977.
Budd Skinner/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP
Aaron appears on a "Happy Days" episode in 1980.
Aaron appears on a "Happy Days" episode in 1980.
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Aaron poses with Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn as he is inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Aaron poses with Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn as he is inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
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Aaron is interviewed by Jay Leno on a "Tonight Show" episode in 1995.
Aaron is interviewed by Jay Leno on a "Tonight Show" episode in 1995.
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Aaron blows out candles for his 65th birthday in 1999. Behind him are many baseball greats: from left, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Sammy Sosa, Don Baylor, Phil Niekro, Sonny Jackson and Ernie Banks.
Aaron blows out candles for his 65th birthday in 1999. Behind him are many baseball greats: from left, Reggie Jackson, Frank Robinson, Sammy Sosa, Don Baylor, Phil Niekro, Sonny Jackson and Ernie Banks.
Greg Gibson/AP
Aaron is honored as part of Major League Baseball's All-Century Team in 1999.
Aaron is honored as part of Major League Baseball's All-Century Team in 1999.
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Aaron and his wife, Billye, wave to fans as they take a lap around Atlanta's Turner Field for the 25th anniversary of his 715th home run.
Aaron and his wife, Billye, wave to fans as they take a lap around Atlanta's Turner Field for the 25th anniversary of his 715th home run.
Reuters
Aaron signs autographs for some of the Atlanta Braves in 1999.
Aaron signs autographs for some of the Atlanta Braves in 1999.
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President George W. Bush presents Aaron with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. "By steadily pursuing his calling in the face of unreasoning hatred, Hank Aaron has proven himself a great human being, as well as a great athlete," Bush said during the ceremony.
President George W. Bush presents Aaron with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. "By steadily pursuing his calling in the face of unreasoning hatred, Hank Aaron has proven himself a great human being, as well as a great athlete," Bush said during the ceremony.
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Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig listens to Aaron testify to a Senate committee about the Clean Sports Act and the Professional Sports Integrity and Accountability Act in 2005.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig listens to Aaron testify to a Senate committee about the Clean Sports Act and the Professional Sports Integrity and Accountability Act in 2005.
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A Delta Air Lines plane is painted with Aaron's likeness in 2007.
A Delta Air Lines plane is painted with Aaron's likeness in 2007.
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Aaron is awarded an honorary doctorate at Princeton University in 2011.
Aaron is awarded an honorary doctorate at Princeton University in 2011.
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Atlanta fans hold up signs in 2014 that show every home run Aaron hit. He was being honored on the 40th anniversary of his 715th home run.
Atlanta fans hold up signs in 2014 that show every home run Aaron hit. He was being honored on the 40th anniversary of his 715th home run.
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Aaron and his wife, Billye, pose in front of his portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, in 2015.
Aaron and his wife, Billye, pose in front of his portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, in 2015.
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Aaron poses with former players David Ortiz, left, and Alex Rodriguez in 2019.
Aaron poses with former players David Ortiz, left, and Alex Rodriguez in 2019.
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Aaron smiles in 2020 as he is honored with a street named after him outside the Braves' spring-training facility in Florida.
Aaron smiles in 2020 as he is honored with a street named after him outside the Braves' spring-training facility in Florida.
Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP
Aaron prepares to receive a Covid-19 vaccination in January 2021. Later that month <a href="https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/hank-aaron-cause-of-death-determined/ALZSF5LYJBGWVKXCQSBDKSZTRE/" target="_blank" target="_blank">he died of natural causes</a>. He was 86.
Aaron prepares to receive a Covid-19 vaccination in January 2021. Later that month he died of natural causes. He was 86.
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