|
Henry "Hank" Aaron continues to be honored by his family, friends, and several Major League Baseball Hall of Famers as he received yet another and much-deserved honor from Cooperstown when his life-size bronze statue was unveiled at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, perfected by world-renowned sculptor William Behrends. The unveiling took place before his wife Billye and over a dozen Hall of Famers, such as Joe Torre, Dave Winfield, Eddie Murray, Rollie Fingers, Jim Rice, Ryne Sandberg, Ozzie Smith, and even former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, in a private ceremony hosted by the Hall of Fame staff in Cooperstown, New York. It's Lieutenant Governor - Antonio Delgado, with less than 75 of his friends and family.
Mr. Aaron's statue stands on the museum's first floor and will be amongst the most recognizable as guests enter the MLB Hall of Fame. His wife Billye exclaimed her husband Henry was "most deserving of this honor" as he was as much the man off the field as he was on the field, where he holds numerous still-standing MLB records. Hank was a leader by example, with his big heart and philanthropic efforts that continue to this day as his Atlanta-based charity "Chasing The Dream" foundation assists thousands of youth who otherwise wouldn't have many of the opportunities his organization provides them.
"Seeing this outpouring of support for Hank has to be a real eye-opener as the accolades continue to accrue for the Legendary son of the south, Henry Aaron. He had to go through so much in his life to play this sport. The three words best used to describe the man he was are his dignity, class, and persistence to do things the right way, and this continues to be an example for me and so many others at the Hank Aaron Sports Academy and the Legacy League."
- says Tim Bennett, who was amongst the guests at the Cooperstown event on Thursday evening.
"What an honor it is for Mississippi to have the connection not just to Hank Aaron via the Hank Aaron Sports Academy at Smith-Wills Stadium, following in the footsteps of Henry, but to also have its homegrown member also honored by Major League Baseball in the Hall of Fame in James "Cool Papa" Bell of Starkville, MS., who was enshrined into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1975. James "Cool Papa" Bell was selected and recognized in 1975, consistent with the opening and inaugural season of Smith-Wills Stadium (built-in 1975), and he is believed to be the only Mississippian to hold the honor of being in the hallowed Baseball Hall of Fame."
- continues Bennett
"This historic event recognizing such a Legend in Henry Aaron from neighboring Mobile, Alabama, Bennett says, he hopes further inspires Mississippi's leaders and citizens alike to appreciate and come together to mutually support the National Treasure we have in Henry Aaron and the Hank Aaron Sports Academy at Smith-Wills Stadium. How many other States can claim to have the (AA) Minor League affiliates of the Atlanta Braves, the Milwaukee Brewers (both teams that Hank played for), the Hank Aaron Sports Academy, and now the Legacy League? Judging by this outpouring of adoration for Henry from all over the world, Mississippi truly has what many other states would love to have."
- concluded Bennett
The weekend of events will continue with the "Souls Of The Game" exhibit that will be opening this evening as a tribute to the Negro Leagues and the players that endured through seemingly insurmountable social obstacles, to now be recognized amongst their much and duly respected peers in Cooperstown, where they all now live shoulder to shoulder under one roof as a shining example of how sports can cross all racial lines, overcome all obstacles of different thoughts and opinions and bring communities together all in one place - such as is the case at Smith-Wills Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi, the home of the Hank Aaron Sports Academy.
|
