Baseball Legend, Alabama Native Hank Aaron Dies

ATLANTA, GA — Alabama native and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Henry "Hank" Aaron has died, according to reports from his family. Aaron was born in Mobile in 1934.

Family of the Atlanta Braves standout told WSB-TV about his passing on Friday morning.

Aaron became baseball's all-time home run king in 1974, when he eclipsed Babe Ruth's record of 714 home runs. Aaron would go on to belt 755 homers in his career, a record that stood until 2007 when Barry Bonds surpassed him.

Not just a long ball hitter, Aaron amassed 3,771 base hits in his career, meaning if all of his home runs were taken away, he would still be a member of the prestigious 3,000-hit club. Aaron holds the MLB records for the most career runs batted in (2,297), extra base hits (1,477) and total bases (6,856). Aaron is also in the top five for career hits and runs (2,174).

He was a 25-time All-Star, the 1957 National League Most Valuable Player, a three-time Gold Glove winner and won the NL batting title twice. He won a World Series title with the Milwaukee Braves in 1957.

Gov. Kay Ivey has ordered flags in Alabama to fly at half-staff in honor of Aaron.

"I’m saddened to hear that Mobile-native, Hammerin’ Hank Aaron has passed," Ivey said via Twitter. "He inspired many young boys and girls to pursue their dreams and pursue excellence in whatever they do. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, friends and former teammates."

"We lost a legend. Hank Aaron was my childhood hero of heroes," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said on Twitter. "He was an amazing person and a fantastic baseball player. He was such a big part of Milwaukee."

"Hammerin' Hank" had his jersey number retired by the Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers, where he finished his career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Aaron is the second Alabama-born baseball legend who died this week. Clio, Alabama, native Don Sutton, who also has an Atlanta Braves connection as a broadcaster for the team from 1989 to 2006, died Jan. 18.

Sutton, a 300-game winner, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.