Kings for a Lifetime
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While tributes for Henry Aaron and Jackie Robinson — transcendent, heroic figures — have not and should never dissipate, they each garner additional admiration this month. April 8 marked a half-century since Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth for the career home run record and every April 15 is Major League Baseball’s annual day to recognize Robinson’s debut as he broke the color barrier in 1947.
Always Hammerin’
Henry Aaron’s Baseball Reference page should be framed and hung in the Louvre. His career is a model of consistency and a mark of greatness over a long period of time.
For all his home runs, he never hit more than 50 in a season. And while home runs stand out above all, there is so much more to his on-field legacy.
A brief glimpse at Aaron’s career numbers and where he still sits on all-time leaderboards shows why he is among the most underrated players ever.
Rundown, but Not Out
Look at the receiving line of Phillies that surround Jackie Robinson ready to tag him. Except they didn’t. Number 42 actually scored on this play.
In the Holliday Spirit
A lot of millennial fans are starting to feel very, very old.
Jackson Holliday debuted for the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday at age 20. The top overall pick in the 2022 draft, as many already know, is the son of former All-Star Matt Holliday. It might not be long before Matt is simply known as Jackson’s dad.
The elder Holliday had a very good career for himself, making seven All-Star teams and winning a batting crown while accumulating a WAR of 44.5.
Jackson and Matt add to a long list of father-son baseball combos, including the only duo to ever play on the same team.
This Weekend’s Match-Ups
Look forward and turn back the clock to next full slate of games:
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This Week in Baseball History
Pilot Episode - April 11, 1969
The short-lived Seattle Pilots had their first (and only) Opening Day in the Northwest. But it proved to be a very good one, as they defeated the Chicago White Sox, 7-0, at Sicks Stadium. A year later, the franchise had jettisoned off to Milwaukee to become the Brewers.
A Kid’s Mark - April 13, 1998
At 28 years, 143 days old, Ken Griffey Jr. became the second-youngest to reach the 300 home run milestone. The only man who did it quicker was Jimmie Foxx, who hit his 300th at 27 years, 328 days. Griffey's 300th was a two-run shot to right off Cleveland’s Jose Mesa in the seventh — his second homer of the game and sixth of the season.
A Distinct Honor for Jackie - April 15, 1997
The 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic debut was celebrated before 54,047 at Shea Stadium during a game between the Mets and the Dodgers. The festivities include speeches from President Bill Clinton and Jackie's widow, Rachel, and the announcement from commissioner Bud Selig announces that the number 42 will be retired in perpetuity for every team.
Schmidt Goes Fourth - April 17, 1976
Mike Schmidt hits a home run in four consecutive at-bats at Wrigley Field during an 18-6, 10-inning victory for the Philadelphia Phillies. Three of those homers came off a Reuschel — Rick was the starter and his brother Paul relieved him. The record-tying blast was against Mike Garman and gave Schmidt eight RBIs on the day.
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