I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron StoryI Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story is an intimate memoir by a baseball legend—and a fascinating social history of twentieth-century America. The Classic New York Times Bestseller The man who shattered Babe Ruth's lifetime home run record, Henry "Hammering Hank" Aaron left his indelible mark on professional baseball and the world. But the world also left its mark on him. With courage and candor, Aaron’s revelatory life story recalls his struggles and triumphs in an atmosphere of virulent racism. He relives the breathtaking moment when, in the heat of hatred and controversy, he hit his 715th home run to break Ruth's cherished record—an accomplishment for which Aaron received more than 900,000 letters, many of them vicious and racially charged. And his story continues through the remainder of his milestone-setting, barrier-smashing career as a player and, later, Atlanta Braves executive—offering an eye-opening and unforgettable portrait of an incomparable athlete, his sport, his epoch, and his world. “Elegant, uncomplaining, and inspiring, I Had a Hammer is a true American treasure about a true sustainable hero.” —New York Times–bestselling author Douglas Brinkley “Beautifully written. This book covers so many bases, it is virtually impossible to consider it just another sports biography.” —New York Times Book Review “[Hank Aaron’s] book is written with the same authority with which he wielded his bat.” —San Francisco Chronicle |
Contents
When Jackie Robinson joined | |
In 1953 the major leagues | |
America met Henry Aaron and civil rights | |
There is a scene from the television | |
By 1960 the few black players | |
They called it the city too busy to hate | |
At first it was all about base hits | |
There were a few things if only | |
The record brought Hank Aaron into | |
The man played in the major leagues | |
Career Stats | |
Acknowledgments | |
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All-Star Game anyway asked Atlanta Babe Ruth ball ballpark ballplayer baseball baseman believe big leagues Bill Bill Bruton Billye black players Braves Bruton called career Cincinnati Clowns clubhouse colored Covington Daddy Dodgers Eau Claire Eddie Mathews Ernie Banks fans fastball Felix felt fence field Frank Robinson going guys Hank Aaron happened Henry Aaron hit a home hitter home run homers Horace Indianapolis Clowns Jackie Robinson Jacksonville knew looked major-league Mama manager Milwaukee Mobile Musial named National League Negro League never nigger night outfield park pennant pitch pitcher play Ralph Garr rookie Ruth's Sally League season second base shortstop Spahn and Burdette spring training Stadium Stan Musial started stay talk teammates tell thing thought threw throw told Tommie took walked wanted Warren Spahn white players Willie Yankees