50 Years After Historic Home Run, Hank Aaron Gets a Stamp and a Statue

Hank Aaron, the celebrated baseball player who faced down racism as he broke the Major League Baseball record for most career home runs, was honored on Monday with a United States Postal Service Forever stamp and a statue at Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

The commemorations marked the 50th anniversary of Aaron’s 715th home run in 1974, which launched him past Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list, the sport’s most cherished record.

The Braves, Aaron’s team for much of his career, also celebrated his achievement before their Monday home game against the New York Mets in Atlanta. The ceremony, including the first pitch thrown by Mr. Aaron’s great-grandson, King Aaron, was attended by his teammates, his widow, Billye Aaron, and Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia.

Aaron, who died at 86 in 2021, endured hate mail and death threats from people who were outraged that a Black man could outshine a white baseball star. He went on to hit 755 home runs.

The image featured on the stamp shows a younger Aaron in his batting stance, wearing his Braves uniform (and no helmet). The Postal Service said in a statement that the timing of the stamp’s issue and a related dedication ceremony would be announced later.