O.T. Hank Aaron

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

That was an era in professional athletics when non-starters and other reserve players needed an off-season job to make ends meet.

[wjstix]

tree68

The sixties were a time of great things in baseball.  Sunday afternoon backyard picnics were accompanied by a Tigers game - Kaline, Lary, etc.  And that was with a salary cap of $100,000.

 

Strictly speaking there wasn't a salary cap, but before free agency came along only the very top-notch players (Mays, Aaron, Killebrew, Mantle etc.) were paid in the $100,000 range. I remember Twins owner Calvin Griffith offered Tony Oliva something like $95,000 (I think the year after he won his third batting title) and fans started a petition campaign for Tony-O to be paid $100,000. Hard now to image fans being ticked off that a player wasn't being paid enough!

[Convicted One]

tree68

Sunday afternoon backyard picnics were accompanied by a Tigers game

Don't forget Mr "He just stood there like the house by the side of the road"....never got tired of listening to him.

 

I also used to really enjoy Hank Aaron's scowling appraisals of Gaylord Perry.

[wjstix]

It's interesting to think that as a kid in the 1960's, I was able to see a fair number of major league players who had started their careers in the Negro leagues - Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks. BTW IIRC Hank Aaron was the first black player in the Northern League, with the Eau Claire (WI) Bears. I believe a plaque or statue was put up at the ballpark 10-15 years ago and Hank was there as part of the ceremony, and talked about how scared he was when he first arrived but soon was made to feel very welcome by the folks there.

[greyhounds]

Pitchers and catchers report on February 17.

 

Unless, well you know, the COVID-19 thing.

 

Memories are often golden, but I’m ready for some new ones.

Hank Aaron, along with others, provided many great memories.  Thank you Mr. Aaron.

[tree68]

The sixties were a time of great things in baseball.  Sunday afternoon backyard picnics were accompanied by a Tigers game - Kaline, Lary, etc.  And that was with a salary cap of $100,000.

[BaltACD]

Only got to witness Hamerin' Hank in person one time - 1958 All Star game that was played in Baltimore.  The only all star game where no extra base hits were allowed with the AL winning 4-3

[54light15]

The early 60s were a golden age of baseball but for me, the "toppermost of the poppermost" (as Lennon and McCartney would say) will always be the 1927 Yankees. 

[Convicted One]

MP173

Was it me, or was it truly the golden age of baseball?  

 

I thought so too, with fewer teams the talent pool was less diluted. 

Just imagine, with all the oddball rules changes being forced into the game today....eventually the youth of today will look back upon the early 2000's as a "golden age"

[MP173]

Class act and one heck of a player!

Those late 60's were packed with great ones...Aaron, Mays, Mantle (end of the road), Clemente, Banks, McCovey, Koufax, Drysdale, Gibson, Marischel, et al.  

Was it me, or was it truly the golden age of baseball?  

Ed

[Flintlock76]

A great athlete, a fine gentleman and a class act all the way!

[Gramp]

R.I.P.  Hank Aaron

(my childhood idol)

I always hoped I could become as poised as he was when I grew up.  A true class act.

Would watch him play at County Stadium and see Milwaukee Road switching cars beyond the bleachers.  Nothing better.