ロバート・パトリックさんのインスタグラム写真 - (ロバート・パトリックInstagram)「Before the Atlanta Braves came to Atlanta in 1966, we had a minor league ball club that played in The Dixie League. The Atlanta Crackers. Atlanta was on its way to being a big city with @mlb and @nfl coming. I remember the excitement of being at Fulton County Stadium opening Day to see “Hammering Hank”. Henry Aaron #44. We had all heard about him and his magical quick wrists from our little league manager. Legend had it when Henry was growing up in Mobile. Alabamba he would swing the bat cross handed. When he was taught to swing normal he had developed those quick wrists giving him that magical sweet swing. He was fun to watch out in right field. He was such a great athlete he appeared to be casual. He wasn’t a show off. He let his bat do the talking. I got my picture taking with him on camera day in ‘66, actual 8mm film. My oldman popped me over the fence and Hank was so cool to that 8 year old me. Sometimes you could look into the Braves dugout on the first base side and catch a glimpse of Hank having a cigarette by the bat rack. A different time for sure. I was at the game he hit his 500th home run. It hit the scoreboard in centerfield. Atlanta was in the middle of trying to become a big city and “Hammering Hank” was our star! He ushered in changes to the way African American ball players were treated and respected. Years later I would move away from Atlanta but I followed Hanks pursuit of Babe Ruth’s record. He always looked the same when he rounded the bases I did not see anything celebratory on his part “save for the two fans who ran down on the field as he turned third base. He endured so many threats and taunts from ugly racist people who spew so much hatred his way when he passed up Ruth’s record. Hank wasn’t as flamboyant as Willie Mays and didn’t play in a major media city like Mickey Mantle. It was probably for the better. His humility and class of character is what gave him grace when he did surpass the Babe. That was one of his contributions to the civil rights movement. Hank Aaron was my favorite player. We lost a legend of a man today. As far as I am concerned he will always be the “Homerun King”! R.I.P. Henry Aaron.」1月23日 6時14分