Hank Aaron’s stamp is dedicated in Atlanta
Hank Aaron’s incredible contributions to baseball, both on and off the field, were celebrated on July 31 at the Atlanta dedication ceremony for the stamp honoring him.
Aaron (1934-2021) rose from humble beginnings in the Jim Crow South to rewrite the record books, prevailing in the face of entrenched racism.
As a member of the Atlanta Braves, he hit home run No. 715 on April 8, 1974, breaking Babe Ruth’s record in one of baseball’s seminal moments. Hank Aaron’s incredible contributions to baseball, both on and off the field, were celebrated on July 31 at the Atlanta dedication ceremony for the stamp honoring him.
Aaron (1934-2021) rose from humble beginnings in the Jim Crow South to rewrite the record books, prevailing in the face of entrenched racism.
As a member of the Atlanta Braves, he hit home run No. 715 on April 8, 1974, breaking Babe Ruth’s record in one of baseball’s seminal moments.
“We hope this stamp serves as a reminder of Hank Aaron’s success on the baseball diamond and his work to champion equality,” said Thomas Marshall, the Postal Service’s general counsel, at the ceremony.
“Whether it’s breaking baseball’s most famous record or opening the door for future generations, Henry ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ Aaron inspires all of us to swing for the fences,” he added.
Aaron spent 21 years with the Braves organization—first in Milwaukee, leading the team to the 1957 World Series title, and later in Atlanta.
Despite retiring nearly 50 years ago, he still holds Major League Baseball records for most runs batted in, total bases, and All-Star Game appearances. He concluded his career with the Milwaukee Brewers and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Throughout Aaron’s playing career and later as a Major League Baseball front office executive, he advocated for more African Americans in management positions in baseball and professional sports in general.
In 2002, Aaron received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
In 2005, he was awarded the Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, establishing the Hank Aaron Humanitarian in Sports Award in his honor.
The stamp ceremony was held at Truist Park Stadium, featuring speakers such as Billye Suber Aaron, Aaron’s widow and chair of the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation; Terry McGuirk, chairman and CEO of Braves Holdings LLC; Howard Bryant, author of “The Last Hero: A Life of Henry Aaron”; and Allan Tanenbaum, secretary of the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation.
The Commemorative Stamp
Karyn Greer, an anchor on WSB-TV, served as the master of ceremonies.
The stamp features a digital portrait of Aaron as a member of the Atlanta Braves in a right-handed batting stance and is available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.
The stamp pane also showcases a digital painting of Aaron watching his record-breaking 715th home run, based on a 1974 photo by Harry Harris.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps and pane using original art by Chuck Styles and typography by Kevin Cantrell.
“I’m deeply grateful for this phenomenal recognition the United States Postal Service has bestowed upon my beloved husband, Henry Louis Aaron,” said Billye Suber Aaron. “I hope that his stamp will inspire a new generation to remember Henry for his incredible grace and determination in the face of tremendous opposition.”
