Page 3 - Jack Billingham News Today

1934 — Born on Feb. 5 in a section of Mobile, Alabama, known as “Down The Bay.” 1951 — Signs at age 17 with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League, where he plays shortstop and draws the attention of major league scouts. 1952 — Signs with the Boston Braves, turning down a slightly lower offer from the New York Giants that could’ve paired him in the same outfield with Willie Mays. 1954 — Earns a spot in the big leagues with the Braves, who had moved to Milwaukee befo...

At what should have been the pinnacle of his long career in baseball, Henry Aaron was getting bags of hate mail — many containing death threats — and living in a storage room at the stadium, accompanied by bodyguards when he ventured out. It was 1973, the country remained divided along racial lines and Aaron, a Black American playing for the Atlanta Braves, was closing in on Babe Ruth’s holy career record of 714 home runs. To some, it was sacrilegious that a Black man would threaten the r...

Henry Aarons ordeal ended at 9:07 p.m. Monday. It ended in a carnival atmosphere that would have been more congenial to the man he surpassed as baseballs alltime home-run champion. But it ended. And for that, as Aaron advised the 53,775 Atlanta fans who came to enshrine him in the games pantheon, "Thank God." Aarons 715th home run came in the fourth inning of the Braves home opener with Los Angeles, off the Dodgers Al Downing, a lefthander who had insisted doggedly before the game that for him ...

Timeline of Hank Aaron’s life and career From a baseball career that started in the Negro Leagues to earning the Presidential Honor of Freedom, Aaron made an impact on American sports and society. Associated Press Share Hank Aaron accepts a champagne bucket at a luncheon in his honor in Milwaukee on Nov. 25, 1957, after winning the National League’s MVP award. Associated Press Baseball legend Hank Aaron died Friday at age 86. Here is a timeline of his life and career. 1934: Born on Feb....

1962 The Houston Colt .45s play their first Major League game on April 10, defeating the Chicago Cubs 11-2. 1963 1964 Ken Johnson becomes the first major leaguer to lose a nine-inning no-hitter on April 23 with a 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. 1965 The Houston Colt .45s become the Houston Astros and inaugurate indoor baseball with a 2-1 exhibition win over the New York Yankees on April 9 in the Astrodome...rookie Joe Morgan sets club marks for at-bats, runs, hits and triples. 1966 Mike Cuella...