Bronze Likeness of Baseball’s RBI King To Be Unveiled Today

COOPERSTOWN—"This statue will stand forever as a tribute to an American hero," Jane Forbes Clark said on April 8, when she announced that a Hank Aaron statue will be unveiled at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on May 23.

Fifty years ago, on April 8, a nation cheered as Hank Aaron broke baseball’s most cherished record. As the world remembers that historic moment, the NBHoF will ensure that Aaron’s lifetime of heroics on and off the field is celebrated for all time. The bronze representation of Aaron will be installed on the first floor of the museum.

Clark, Hall of Fame chairman of the board, made the announcement during opening events for "More Than Brave: The Life of Henry Aaron," a new exhibit at the Atlanta History Center.

“The legacy of Hank Aaron has always been about so much more than just his incredible baseball achievements,” Clark said. “His philanthropic vision, his support of youth empowerment efforts and his pioneering work as an executive have opened the doors of opportunity for millions throughout the United States and around the world. We are extremely privileged to care for and preserve his entire personal collection in Cooperstown."

Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1982 following a 23-year big league career with the Braves and Brewers, Aaron launched his 715th career home run on April 8, 1974, to surpass Babe Ruth atop Major League Baseball’s home run list. A 25-time All-Star, Aaron still holds the record for most career RBI and total bases.

Remarkably, if each of his 755 career home runs were erased from his playing record, Aaron will still have totaled more than 3,000 hits.