Can anyone help me out please?

[Dwayne]

Jim wrote: "In 1954, Hank Aaron was playing for the Jacksonville Braves... it's a great story."

It's a good story, but I'm not sure it's true. It couldn't have happened in 1954, I do know that. Hank was already with Milwaukee during spring training of that year.

[Jim]

Dwayne wrote: "Jim wrote: "In 1954, Hank Aaron was playing for the Jacksonville Braves... it's a great story."

It's a good story, but I'm not sure it's true. It couldn't have happened in 1954, I do know that. Ha..."

Dwayne,

Hank Aaron attended spring training with the major league club in 1954; however, he was carried on the roster of the farm club. The incident with the reporter occurred in March of 1954. On March 13, Bobby Thompson fractured his ankle. Mr. Aaron was moved up to the majors to replace him. His initial position was left field.

Source: I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story by Hank Aaron. Published April 15, 1992 by Harper Torch.

[Dwayne]

Jim wrote: "Source: I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story by Hank Aaron. Published April 15, 1992 by Harper Torch."

I'm not finding the quote where he says he wants to stay in the minor leagues, Jim. Can you direct me to the page or at least the chapter, please?

[Jim]

Dwayne,

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I hope you didn't waste too much time re-reading the book.

The autobiography was referenced as a source only to clarify the common misperception that Hank Aaron was already with the Milwaukee Braves instead of the Jacksonville Braves when he participated in their spring training camp in 1954, along with the incident with Bobby Thompson, that resulted in Mr. Aaron's advancement to the majors a season earlier than anticipated.

The story about the reporter was one of the segments featured in a special tribute to negro leagues aired on the MLB Network on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a couple of years ago. I believe it may have been titled Soul of the Game or perhaps The History of Great Black Baseball Players. I'm not absolutely certain though, since I've watched dozens of sports documentaries over the years. The particular one which I am referencing included the humorous and sometimes sad personal anecdotes of Hank Aaron, Lou Brock, Whitey Herzog, and Jackie Robinson (listed alphabetically, not by personal preference).

Again, I apologize for the misunderstanding. Words that appear quite logical inside my head do not always translate well in print.

[Dwayne]

Jim wrote: "Again, I apologize for the misunderstanding. Words that appear quite logical inside my head do not always translate well in print."

Hi Jim,

I have the same problem, sometimes.

I haven't minded reading through the autobiography. I don't really follow baseball these days as back in the late 80s or early 90s so many players were becoming whiny over not making enough millions in a season and I'd had it with the lot of them (except Kirby Puckett -- I remember him saying he didn't care how much he made, he just wanted to play). I still have great respect for the older players, the ones that did it for the love of the sport over the love of money.

I'll try hunting down the story. I just want to verify it as it somehow just doesn't sound like something Aaron would have said. In fact, there's a lot of "I Had A Hammer" that shows him as eager and willing to get to the big leagues and having no shame in that desire. If the story you told is true, then it's true. I guess I just don't want to believe it because it kinda paints Aaron as a bit dishonest and that bothers me. But, I suppose we all have our times when we hide the truth a little for this or that reason.

[Jim]

Dwayne wrote: "Jim wrote: "Again, I apologize for the misunderstanding. Words that appear quite logical inside my head do not always translate well in print."

Hi Jim,

I have the same problem, sometimes.

I have..."

Dwayne,

Like you, I no longer follow baseball as much as I once did. The game, like all professional sports, has become more business than sport. That and the fact that stepping out of the batter's box after each pitch tends to drag out a game to the point of boredom.

I personally believe that any baseball player's profession to being content to play in the minor leagues during an interview is intended more as a "tongue-in-cheek" response than factual statement. Some may even hold to the superstition that to state otherwise may actually jinx their chances of advancement.

In Mr. Aaron's particular case, during the 1950's, the prospect of exposure to even more intense racial prejudice in the majors, compared to that faced in the minor league, may have influenced him to temper his responses to the press.

[Dwayne]

That is part of the fascination in reading the book, for me. I'm not quite old enough to have been around when sports were still segregated. In fact, one of the first things my dad says I learned to say when I was a toddler was "Ernie Banks". Sad that great ballplayers like Hank Aaron, Banks and Jackie Robinson had to fight harder than white players to prove themselves and were still hit with prejudice and hatred.

[Jim]

Dwayne wrote: "That is part of the fascination in reading the book, for me. I'm not quite old enough to have been around when sports were still segregated. In fact, one of the first things my dad says I learned t..."

Dwayne,

I can't thank you enough for reminding me of just how old I'm getting. You kids today have no respect! Perhaps I should speak to your father.

[Dwayne]

Jim wrote: "I can't thank you enough for reminding me of just how old I'm getting."

I get reminded quite often so I know the feeling. My better paying job is working with special needs adults. The men I care for are ages 22-30. The other day a coworker and I were listening to Cheech and Chong recordings and the guys just could not fathom the point of entertainment that you just listen to.