June 12, 2013.

What a night at historic Capital City Stadium history when Hammerin’ Hank Aaron made a special appearance before a Blowfish baseball game.

Well, it’s quite the story as I read his book “I Had A Hammer, The Hank Aaron Story”. In the book, Hank talks about his last ever minor league baseball game he played in for the Jacksonville Braves.

I was excited to read that game was at Capital City Park vs the Columbia Reds in 1953. Having known Hank for a number of years, I asked if he would accept my invitation to come and throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Always gracious, Hank wanted to make sure that members of our local Boys and Girls Club were invited and to come down on the field and be a part of this event.

Hank & his wife, Billye, started the “Chasing the Dream” Foundation in the hope of inspiring young people to develop their skills and pursue their passions.

WE HAD RECEIVED word the stadium was being sold and would be torn down to build a Walmart. A lot of baseball fans were upset and saddened by this decision, but we decided to go out with a bang and what bigger bang than having the all-time home run king shaking fans hands and talking baseball.

Hank enjoyed himself immensely and was quite sentimental about the old ballpark and playing here. The huge crowd roared as Aaron threw the ball for a strike.

HE THEN FOR the next hour sat at home plate to answer questions about his life and career by our own WIS TV Sports Director Rick Henry.

Hank Aaron hit another 1 out of the ballpark! He didn’t have to come up and he didn’t ask to be paid. He came to see 1 last time where he played his last ever minor league game before his brilliant career in the Major Leagues.

He did it for a friend. Humbling? Yes for sure.

Baseball is about memories and once again, Hank made memories for all who attended that night at the ballpark that was built in 1927.

It’s a night that will live with us forever as Aaron, as always, wanted to give back to the fans and help the Midland community at the time.

Hank Aaron - My Friend

How was I so lucky and blessed?

Well, it all started when I had the honor to meet Hank Aaron 25 years ago. My baseball career has led me down many roads and on the way met some great baseball players, but what stood out about Hank Aaron is not is 755 home runs or 3,771 hits or playing in 25 Major League All-Star games. What stood out was his kindness and humility. Hank Aaron was a humble hero.

Back in 1996 our baseball company was growing and I was asked to move to Mobile, Ala. to oversee our new Double A team that would begin play after completion of a new stadium. I had been running the Bombers at Capital City Stadium since 1991 and were happy in Columbia. After much prayer, the Shanahans made the move to the “Port City” to begin a new chapter. Mobile. Ala. is the home of 5 hall of famers (tied with the city of New York and LA) - Satchel Paige, Willie McCovey, Ozzie Smith, Billy Williams and Henry Aaron. It was announced the new stadium would be named in honor of the all-time Home Run King - Hank Aaron Stadium. My first opportunity was at the groundbreaking ceremony in September, 1996.

It was quite surreal shaking “Hammerin” Hank’s hand and getting to introduce myself as the one who would be overseeing with a team of professionals the design and construction of this 6,000 capacity stadium.

“Always to keep swinging”

OVER THE YEARS, I got to know Hank’s mom (Estella) and dad (Herbert) who still lived in the house that Hank’s father Herbert Aaron built with wood from the local shipyard back in 1942. I got to know his sisters and brothers and the Aaron family was at the ballpark for games and special events like Herbert Aaron’s birthday.

As time went on Herbert passed away and Estella became sick and Hank and his wonderful wife Billye moved her to Atlanta to care for her. So the house the Herbert Aaron built with his own hands was boarded up and, for a time, no one knew what would happen next.

Along the way, and every once in a while we all come up with an idea that we think would work. Well, that happened to me as I began to wonder about moving Hank’s childhood home to the Hank Aaron Stadium grounds. Well it sounded like a good idea, so I decided to call Hank and ask him what he thought.

There was a long pause, a very long pause, and Hank said thank you and he would talk to his sister and brother about it.

Just weeks later, I received the call we were hoping for as Hank and his family agreed to allowing us to make it a reality. I asked Hank why when we talked he was so quiet for such a long time.

“I couldn’t speak, I was choked up” Hank said.

Well the dream needed a game plan and how were we going to make this happen.

After 3 years, the dream became realityon April 14, 2010 as we dedicated and opened the Hank Aaron Childhood Home.

QUITE A NIGHT as many of the greats came to pay homage to Hank. Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Bob Feller, Ricky Henderson, Willie Mays and then-MLB commissioner Bud Selig all came to show their respect and to honor him. The Hank Aaron Childhood Home is worth the visit if you are ever traveling through Mobile, Ala. I was thankful and humbled our team at Hank Aaron Stadium and the city helped make this happen.

ONCE AGAIN, HANK Aaron continued helping others by offering his family home become a historic site to visit- a true symbol of always sharing with others.

Among Hank Aaron’s greatest quotes was “My motto was always to keep swinging. Whenever I was in a slump or feeling b adly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging”.

Pretty good life lesson I’d say. There’s a lot more to the Hank Aaron story. I just was truly fortunate to have met not only a great baseball player, a great ambassador of the game, but truly a great man.

God bless Hank Aaron!