The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a bronze statue of legendary slugger Hank Aaron on Thursday in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Titled "Keep Swinging," after a favorite phrase of Aaron's that represents his perseverance and commitment to excellence during a 23-year Hall of Fame career, the statue stands at the base of the museum's Grand Staircase on the first floor. It was created by famed sculptor William Behrends.
"Hank was so proud to be a Hall of Fame member,” said Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark. “I know that he would be equally as honored that this fantastic statue will now welcome all of our guests as they start their visit to baseball’s home."
Aaron is considered one of the greatest home run hitters in baseball history. His 755 career homers rank second on the all-time list, and he was the all-time home run leader for more than 30 years after smashing his 715th career homer to surpass Babe Ruth on April 8, 1974. He remains the all-time leader in career RBIs (2,297) and total bases (6,856), and was selected as an All-Star a record 25 times.
Aaron's widow, Billye, as well as Hall of Famers Harold Baines, Rollie Fingers, Pat Gillick, Fergie Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Fred McGriff, Eddie Murray, Jim Rice, Ryne Sandberg, Bud Selig, Lee Smith, Ozzie Smith, Joe Torre and Dave Winfield were on hand for the unveiling ceremony.
As much as his outstanding accomplishments on the field left a great legacy in the game, Aaron's impact off of it reverberates through history. Throughout his career, and particularly as he approached Ruth's hallowed record, he endured racism and prejudice, even in the form of death threats. But in the face of such hostility, he "kept swinging."
“As long as there’s a chance that maybe I can hammer out a little justice now and then, or a little opportunity here and there," the inscription on the statue reads, "I intend to do as I always have -- keep swinging.”
The statue dedication ceremony was part of a weekend celebration of the history of Black baseball and the Hall's new exhibit, "The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball."
The exhibit features stories of early Black baseball, the Negro Leagues era, the complexities of reintegration, Jackie Robinson, post-reintegration progress and retrogress and calls for change in today’s game while celebrating the game's newest superstars.
The Aaron statue was made possible by Hall of Fame supporters Jane and Bob Crotty, with the guidance and support of Aaron’s family.
"I am thankful, honored and humbled to be part of making this tribute to Hank Aaron a reality,” Bob Crotty said. “Hank’s legacy will continue to connect generations and I am grateful to have my grandson Gavin here to witness this moment with me.
"Like Hank did, we should all make sure that whatever we do is for the good and does good. Whatever your endeavor, be passionate, tenacious and never give up. We all need to ‘keep swinging.'"