SPORTS

Hank Aaron reflects on his 3,000th hit in Cincinnati

Hank Aaron says he will probably be at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Cincinnati in July.

Mike Dyer
mdyer@enquirer.com
Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves follows through after getting the 3,000th hit of his major league career in the first inning of the second game with Cincinnati on Sunday, May 17, 1970. Aaron, who was hitless in the first game, hit a homer in his second at-bat in the nightcap.

Cincinnati will forever hold special significance to Hank Aaron.

And his revered legacy will certainly be a topic of discussion if he returns to town this summer.

Aaron told The Enquirer this week he will probably attend the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 14 at Great American Ball Park.

Aaron's most recent visit to Cincinnati was June 20, 2009 when he attended the Civil Rights Game at GABP.

This spring is an opportunity to reflect on one of the legendary ballplayer's greatest moments which occurred nearly 45 years ago during the dwindling days of Crosley Field.

Aaron became the ninth Major League player to join the exclusive 3,000 hits club when he singled off Reds pitcher Wayne Simpson in the second game of a Sunday doubleheader on May 17, 1970 at Crosley Field.

Aaron's 755 career home runs during his Hall of Fame career is well-known.

He hit his 714th home run off Jack Billingham to tie Babe Ruth on Opening Day April 4, 1974 at Riverfront Stadium. The ball and bat are on exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Marty Brennaman, who made his debut as a Reds radio announcer on Opening Day 1974, made the call on Aaron's home run.

Brennaman told The Enquirer he still occasionally gets asked about Aaron's home run and remembers the anticipation surrounding Opening Day which included the attendance of Vice President Gerald Ford.

"I don't recollect I was overly nervous," Brennaman said. "I don't think it's a bad call at all."

Brennaman said he ranks Pete Rose's record-breaking 4,192nd hit in 1985 as his No. 1 moment with Aaron's home run No. 2.

Atlanta’s Hank Aaron, center, became the ninth player in Major League history to get 3,000 hits with a bouncer back over the pitching mound in the first inning of a nightcap against Cincinnati, Sunday, May 17, 1970, in Cincinnati, Ohio. At left is Hall of Famer Stan Musial, who was the last man to accomplish the feat, hitting his 3,000th in 1958. At right is Bill Bartholomay, owner of the Braves.

Footage of Aaron's record-breaking No. 715 home run on April 8, 1974 in Atlanta remains entrenched into the minds of generations of baseball fans.

But, what is not as commonly admired is the fact he had 3,771 career hits.

"Most people don't ask me anything about that," Aaron told The Enquirer.

"I always said the one thing that out of my 23 years I played baseball – the thing I am most proud of - I was able to get as many hits as I did. The most important thing in my career out of the 23 years I played is I never struck out 100 times. Getting the base hits was the greatest thrill of my life."

Aaron, 81, says he is mostly in good health and was in good spirits during a phone interview with The Enquirer this past week.

Aaron, Senior Vice President in the Atlanta Braves' front office, had partial left hip surgery in February 2014 after he fell on some ice. But, despite some ailments, Aaron says he is doing well considering his age.

As Cincinnati examines its past All-Star games and ballpark history this year, Aaron receives a great deal of spotlight for what he achieved in 1970.

Aaron's entrance to the 3,000-hit club occurred just weeks before Crosley Field hosted its final Major League game on June 24.

A crowd of 33,217 – the largest at Crosley Field in 23 years – gave Aaron a standing ovation for his milestone hit May 17.

Aaron holds the distinction of being the first player to reach 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. (Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro and Eddie Murray are the only other players to have 500 home runs and 3,000 hits).

Prior to Aaron's 3,000th hit, there was some discussion in the media whether Aaron and Cubs first baseman Ernie Banks would reach personal milestones in the same game in May 1970.

Banks was one home run away from No. 500 entering the final game of a homestand against the Braves at Wrigley Field on May 12, 1970, but Aaron needed five more hits at the time.

Aaron went 0-for-4, but Banks hit his 500th home run – a line drive shot to left field during that final game of the series at Wrigley.

When the Braves arrived in Cincinnati to play at Crosley Field three days later, Aaron set up the weekend for a grand finish.

Aaron went 2-for-4 including a home run in the eighth inning off Gary Nolan on May 15 as Atlanta defeated the Reds 3-1 in front of 27,220.

On Saturday, May 16, Aaron had two doubles to put him at 2,999 hits in the Reds' 2-0 win in front of just 15,382.

Hank Aaron says reaching the 3,000 career hits milestone on May 17, 1970 is one of his greatest baseball memories.

Aaron's historic day at Crosley Field May 17 started with being hitless in four trips to the plate in the first game of the doubleheader that the Reds won 5-1.

In the second game, Aaron hit an inside fastball for a grounder over second base which second baseman Woody Woodward knocked down near the outfield grass. Aaron reached safely for No. 3,000.

Stan Musial – the most recent player at the time to reach 3,000 hits before Aaron – and Braves president Bill Bartholomay presented the ball to Aaron during the game.

Aaron said the fact that the late Musial was there for the milestone hit and to congratulate him was "probably one of the greatest thrills of my life."

The 36-year-old Aaron also hit his 570th home run in the third inning. He finished the second game by going 3-for-5 as the Reds defeated the Braves 7-6 in 15 innings.

Only Babe Ruth (714) and Willie Mays (608 by May 15) had more home runs at the time. Mays joined the 3,000 hits club on July 18, 1970.

Today, the ball and Aaron's bat from his 3,000th hit are on exhibit in the Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown.

The Reds moved to Riverfront Stadium a short time after Aaron's milestone hit and the right fielder hit the first home run at Riverfront Stadium during the opening game on June 30, 1970 – his 577th home run of his career.

"I remember being the first player to hit a home run in that ballpark," Aaron told The Enquirer. "I guess you could say I had some semi-good luck. I had some good luck. It was a fine ballpark."

Aaron also had two at-bats as a right fielder in the All-Star Game on July 14, 1970 also at Riverfront Stadium.

Aaron doesn't remember much from the 1970 All-Star Game but said he remembers the large Opening Day crowds in Cincinnati over the years.

Aaron made his Major League debut on Opening Day April 13, 1954 in front of 33,185 at Crosley Field. Aaron went 0-for-5 in that game, including 0-for-3 against Joe Nuxhall.

"Cincinnati always had some very fine pitchers," Aaron told The Enquirer. "…I remember Joe Nuxhall of course."

Ironically, Aaron also had his 100th career home run Aug. 15, 1957 at Crosley. Aaron also won the World Series that year with the Milwaukee Braves. He won his only MVP award - the National League honor - in '57.

Brennaman said he has the ultimate respect for Aaron as a player and a person.

"With all due respect, I still recognize Henry Aaron as the all-time home run king," Brennaman said.