1967 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – On this date in 1967, Henry Aaron hit a home run inside-the-park. It would be the only one of his 755 career home runs that he had to sprint around the bases.
It was the eighth inning when Aaron took Phillies’ ace Jim Bunning (later a United States Senator from Kentucky) deep to center field. Aaron sprinted around the bases, driving in pinch runner Miguel de la Hoz who had been on first, and scored ahead of the relay.
Aaron didn’t have only one inside-the-parker because he was slow; he stole 240 bases in his career. Another irony about Henry Aaron’s accomplishments is that he hit 3 home runs in one game only once. But Aaron’s list of records and accomplishments is set apart from mere mortal ballplayers:
- All-time career home run leader from 1974 to 2001 (755)
- All-time RBI leader: 2,297
- All-time extra-base hits leader: 1,477
- 21 All-Star appearances
- The Sporting News NL Player of the Year: 1956, 1963
- NL batting champion: 1956 (.328), 1959 (.355)
- NL MVP: 1957
- Gold Glove award: 1958, 1959, 1960
- Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame: 1982
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES:
Career home run leaders
The Associated Press (AP), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1967