Wisconsin sports legend Hank Aaron and San Francisco and New York icon Willie Mays were two of the greatest baseball players in the history of sport. Both men were known for their exceptional talent, accomplishments, and impact on the game. Moreover, they were widely recognized as not only tremendous athletes, but wonderful human beings.. While they played in the same era and are often compared to each other, they each had own unique strengths and contributions to the sport.
Aaron passed away in 2021. We lost Mays yesterday.
“Hank Aaron, also known as “”Hammerin’ Hank,” is best remembered by most for breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run when he hit his 715th career home run on April , 1974. Playing for the Braves here in Milwaukee and after their heartbreaking relocation to Atlanta Aaron was a consistent hitter with tremendous power. His last hurrah with the Brewers here wasn’t prodigious, but he did finish his career with 755 home runs, a record that stood over three decades and was “broken” by roided up Barry Bonds. He was also a 25-time All-Star, won three Gold Glove Awards, and was named the National League MVP in 1957.
Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid,” was recognized for his incredible athleticism, speed, and defensive prowess in center field. Mays was a 24-time All-Star, a two-time National League MVP, and a 12-time Gold Glove Award winner. He finished his career with 660 home runs.
While both Aaron and Mays were outstanding players, they had distinct playing styles and strengths. Aaron was known for his consistency and power hitting, while Mays was known for his spectacular catches in the outfield, base running skills, as well as his offensive prowess. Both players were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in recognition of their remarkable careers.
In terms of their relationship, Aaron and Mays had a mutual respect for each other as fellow baseball legends. They competed against each other on the field but also shared a bond as two of the greatest players of their era. Their friendship and camaraderie extended beyond baseball, and they grew closer as they both became mentors and ambassadors for the game in retirement.
Overall, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays are both iconic figures in baseball history. Their legacy continues to inspire generations of baseball fans and players alike. Oh, and about the date that Aaron broke the home run record? Well, he broke another one earlier in that same game — the record for runs scored in the National League, which was at that point 2,062 and held by…Mays.
The decades-long debate over who was the better ballplayer may never have been settled, but we know that the game, and in fact the nation, benefited greatly from their contributions on and off the field.
Rest in peace, Willie. Say hi to Hank for us.
