The Atlanta Braves – one of the most storied MLB franchises of all-time and the one that I grew up watching; not necessarily because I wanted to, but because my older brother did and I idolized the person he was.
Dex was a role-model for me and I followed in his footsteps however I could. Whether that be wearing the same No. 10 on the back of my jersey that he always wore to honor Chipper Jones, or simply buying the same pair of tennis shoes in hopes that I would look as cool as he did, I was always in pursuit of one goal – to be just like him.
Now 21 and 26, we are polar opposites in almost every regard. All but one. We both have an unwavering love for the Atlanta Braves.
While I used to look at the screen blankly as a kid, with no knowledge of who was at the plate or on the mound, I now know just about every player on the team’s 60-man roster. I follow the 162-game schedule as best I can and even when I can’t physically watch, I make sure to follow scores on the ESPN app.
During the season, I’ll even call Dex most weeks to discuss how the team is playing, what we were most impressed by and to look ahead to the upcoming series.
It’s fair to say that while I hate the Falcons (because of their constant beat down of my Carolina Panthers), there is one team in Atlanta that will always hold a piece of my heart.
As I have engaged more with the world of baseball and this team, I have read up on the most memorable moments and players of the franchise. In doing so, two particular men always seemed to stand out – Phil “Knucksie” Niekro and Henry “Hank” Aaron.
These two gentlemen played long before I was even born, but it’s safe to say that both individuals left an imprint on the organization and the league itself. They both hold a spot in Cooperstown in the National Baseball hall of Fame, while each jersey number has been retired by Atlanta.
Niekro, a starting pitcher, played 21 seasons with the Braves and holds numerous franchise records to this day. Known for his knuckleball, he logged 5,404 total innings, which still ranks as the most during the live-ball-era. Phil was a five-time All-star, won five Gold Gloves and was awarded the 1967 National League pitching title. He pitched until the age of 48, which still seems inconceivable to this day.
Meanwhile, Aaron did more for the game than could be quantified in the record books. While Jackie Robinson is most remembered for breaking the color barrier in baseball, Hank was the first African-American superstar to put the league on notice. His 755 career home runs, which broke Babe Ruth’s record, long stood as the golden standard. For some, this mark is still considered the record because he wasn’t “juiced up,” a nod to Barry Bonds.
Aaron still holds the MLB record for RBIs, total bases and extra-base hits and is close behind in hits, games played and runs scored. The “Home Run King” was a 25-time All-star, a World Series champion and a National League MVP.
Now, these records and awards are all that remain of these two outstanding men. On December 26, 2020, Niekro passed away during his sleep after a long battle with prostate cancer; he was 81. Shortly thereafter, on January 22, ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ passed away at the age of 86, due to natural causes.
The Braves organization, the MLB and fans alike were quick to send their condolences to the families of these great athletes and many current and former players spoke on the character of both legends. Linked below are two articles that reflect on the impact of these great athletes, which spans beyond the diamond.
Niekro one of the most beloved Braves of all-time
Braves honor Hank Aaron with memorial service at Truist Park
While I never had the chance to see either of them play, Aaron and Niekro were two of the Braves most prolific talents and to even try and wrap my head around them being gone is a chore in itself. Nonstop etheless, their memories will live on in the hearts of Atlanta fans for a long time to come. I will share the stories of their great accomplishments with my children, who I hope will continue to do the same for generations to come.
If nothing else, the loss of these two men has taught me to appreciate the athletes of my generation because despite such superhuman talent, we are all human after all.
Stanley out.
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