ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves honored their late Hall of Famer, Hank Aaron, before Friday night’s Game 3 of the World Series in a ceremony attended by his family, including his wife, Billye, who received a warm reception.
Following the national anthem, the Braves played a video tribute that included highlights of Aaron’s career.
Aaron’s former Atlanta teammate, Astros manager Dusty Baker, said the decision to honor Aaron was “totally necessary.” Baker stepped outside the Astros’ dugout and waved across the field to Billye Aaron following her introduction. Baker also went to the mound and hugged Aaron’s family.
Aaron was 86 when he died on Jan. 22. He was honored at the All-Star Game in Denver that was originally planned for Atlanta. The Braves have had Aaron’s number 44 painted on their outfield grass all season. The Milwaukee Brewers wore his 44 on the sleeve of their uniform all season. Aaron made his major league debut with the Milwaukee Braves.
“This is the year of Hank Aaron, the year of Hank Aaron’s death,” Baker said, adding he spoke with Aaron’s wife and children earlier in the day. Baker was on deck when Aaron hit the record-breaking 715th homer on April 8, 1974.
Hank Jr. threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, who said earlier Friday he had chills just thinking about Aaron.
Hank Jr. threw a strike to Freeman before the two embraced in front of the mound.
“I wish he was here to be able to watch this, especially us playing the Brewers, too, in the NLDS,” Freeman said. “I got chills right now thinking about it. … It’s going to be a special night for the Braves and everyone out there because it’s going to be a pretty amazing thing that the Braves are doing for Hank today.”
