Hank Aaron Did It. Why Can't More of Us?

Hammerin' Hank just passed away. He was 86 years old. A very good life by all accounts. He was a hero to many people for multiple reasons. For some it was the fact that he surpassed Babe Ruth in the all time record of career home runs, and that is the main reason we give him so much attention. But he was bigger than that; he was humble, strong, decent, persistent, kind, and could play the game of baseball in a way that few ever could. 

 

He was consistently good at that sport, which made him great. But he was more than a ball player. He was a decent and great human being.

 

All the way through, good to good, consistently so, like his baseball career. He was perfectly good and consistent, decent and strong.

He dealt with huge vitriol for being black (Black, African-American, Negro), and he withstood so much despite American racism and racists of the past, and even till the present.

Way to go, Hank.

You have done us all very well, your family, your fans, your communities of outreach, your fellow Americans and people the world over.

Barry Bonds gets a few asterisks next to you. He surpassed you in numbers of dingers, but not in class nor impact. Barry was known for being a cantankerous jerk as well as a cheat. Ty Cobb has amazing numbers, too, but he was a known bully and mini-tyrant.

I wish more of us could be so consistently, persistently, good and decent, like Mr. Aaron.

This is more than color of skin or race or ethnic background.

This is being a good, and yes in Aaron's case, great, human being.