Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Huskee11, post: 3522292, member: 7171"] For me, it is Henry Aaron. I was about seven when the Braves were really good, World Series champs in 1957, and when I was developing a love for baseball. That they were good was important, but at that age other less obvious things were relevant. I loved their uniforms. I loved that they were from this far off place called Milwaukee. I liked the green background that Topps put on most Braves baseball cards. Henry was called Hank back then. I loved his number, 44. I liked how he kneeled on one knee when he was on deck, and how he waited until he got up to the plate before putting his helmet on over his hat. But mostly, of course, I loved the effortless way he played, something that even a little kid could sense. One sportswriter joked back then that he was so relaxed that he might fall asleep between pitches. But when he swung, it was a thing of beauty unleashing a tremendous amount of energy. I only saw him play twice in person, 1962 (doubleheader) and 1963 at the Polo Grounds against the Mets. He hit a home run in game two of the doubleheader. Oddly enough, the Braves lost all three games. His career ran from when I was a little kid until 1976, when I was done with school and out in the world. I wrote him a letter on his 40th birthday in 1974. I have a special affinity for the players with lengthy careers spanning most or all of that time period. [ATTACH type="full" alt="aaron.jpg"]53327[/ATTACH] [/QUOTE]