#Shortstops: Hank’s Honor
On July 9, 2002, Hank Aaron became the fifth former Major League Baseball player to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
During the ceremony, United States President George W. Bush said: “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civil honor our nation can bestow… The men and women we honor span the spectrum of achievement.”
Both Hank Aaron’s on- and off-the-field accomplishments contributed to his everlasting legacy. He remains as baseball’s all-time leader in RBI with 2,297 and total bases with 6,856. Despite the success throughout his entire career, Aaron received his most recognition as he was closing in on Babe Ruth’s home run record in late 1973 and early 1974.
When Aaron retired after the 1976 season with 755 home runs, he had cemented himself as one of baseball’s greatest players.
After setting 12 major league records and winning three Gold Glove Awards, Hank Aaron retired in 1976. Although he retired from baseball, his hard work and dedication off the field never wavered. Aaron was a Civil Rights advocate, as well as a longtime supporter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
He also helped integrate the minor leagues by breaking the Sally League’s color barrier alongside four other players in 1953.
In 1995, almost 20 years after his retirement, Aaron and his wife Billye founded The Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to promote youth development by providing grants, scholarships and financial assistance to children 9 to 12 years old from disadvantaged backgrounds. The foundation still contributes to the “44 Forever Scholarship,” the “Four for Four Scholarship Program,” and offers year-to-year scholarships of $1,500 to local Boys & Girls Clubs in Mobile, Ala., Milwaukee, Wis. and Atlanta, Ga.
As an athlete, Aaron chose to use his platform for good. His advocacy, humanitarian work and more led to his reception of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. During the ceremony, President Bush said: “Hank Aaron overcame poverty and racism to become one of the most accomplished baseball players of all time… By steadily pursuing his calling in the face of unreasoning hatred, [he] has proven himself a great human being, as well as a great athlete.”
Hank Aaron’s Presidential Medal of Freedom is currently on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s The Souls of the Game exhibit.
Elizabeth Zomeri is the Archives intern in the 2026 Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Leadership Development
