USPS honors Hank Aaron on fiftieth anniversary of record-breaking homer

The U.S. Postal Service on Monday introduced a brand new commemorative stamp honoring the fiftieth anniversary of Hank Aaron’s record-setting 715th profession homer on April 8, 1974. Picture courtesy U.S. Postal Service

April 8 (UPI) — Legendary baseball slugger Henry “Hank” Aaron was honored Monday with a commemorative “Endlessly” stamp issued on the fiftieth anniversary of his biggest achievement, the U.S. Postal Service introduced.

Aaron, who died in 2021 on the age of 86, broke the profession residence run mark held for many years by Babe Ruth on April 8, 1974, when he smacked his 715th round-tripper whereas enjoying for the Atlanta Braves.

The USPS marked the event by asserting a stamp that includes a digital portray of “Hammerin’ Hank” as a member of the Braves, depicting his iconic right-handed batting stance from the waist up.

“This stamp celebrates the life and profession of Aaron … a large each on and off the sphere, who rose from humble beginnings to rewrite the report books whereas prevailing within the face of racism,” the Postal Service mentioned in a statement.

The Hank Aaron stamp can be issued in panes of 20, and as a Endlessly stamp it would all the time be equal in worth to the present First-Class Mail 1‑ounce worth. Its first official day of difficulty and dedication ceremony location can be introduced at a later date, the USPS mentioned.

Aaron’s chase of Ruth’s profession homer mark captivated the nation within the early Nineteen Seventies, but it surely additionally revealed strains of racial hatred.

Aaron, a Black athlete, joined the then-Milwaukee Braves in 1955 on the age of 21, lower than a decade after Jackie Robinson broke the colour barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

As he closed in on the report through the 1973 season, he endured quite a few demise threats and racist letters. He completed that season simply wanting the report, however famously topped the mark on April 8, 1974, in Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium.

The brand new stamp was introduced because the Braves ready to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the Aaron’s huge second Monday evening earlier than their recreation towards the New York Mets.