The U.S. Postal Service today unveiled a new Forever stamp featuring baseball legend Hank Aaron at Truist Park in Atlanta, marking the 50th anniversary of his historic achievement. The stamp is available at Post Offices nationwide and online.
During the ceremony, Thomas Marshall, the Postal Service's general counsel and executive vice president, praised Aaron's dual legacy of sports excellence and commitment to equality. "Henry 'Hammerin' Hank' Aaron inspires all of us to swing for the fences," Marshall stated, emphasizing the dual impact Aaron had both as a player and a humanitarian.
Terry McGuirk, chairman and CEO of Braves Holdings LLC; Howard Bryant, author of Aaron's biography; and Allan Tanenbaum, secretary of the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, also attended the dedication. Each reflected on Aaron's profound influence on and off the field.
Billye Suber Aaron, Aaron's widow and chair of his foundation, expressed her deep gratitude for the stamp. "Henry will live on forever in our hearts and minds," she noted, underscoring the stamp's role in inspiring future generations.
A trailblazer in baseball and civil rights, Aaron remains a towering figure in sports history. Born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1934, Aaron faced significant racial adversity throughout his career. Despite these challenges, he broke Babe Ruth's home run record in 1974 with his 715th home run, a moment forever etched in sports history.
Aaron's career stats are still among the best in baseball, with records for most RBIs and total bases. Beyond the field, he was a pioneer in fostering racial equality and opportunity in the sports world. His post-retirement efforts focused on increasing minority participation in baseball, both on the field and in executive roles.
The stamp design features a 1968 photo of Aaron in his Atlanta Braves uniform, capturing his iconic batting stance. The pane's selvage includes a digital painting of Aaron watching his record-breaking home run, based on a 1974 photo.
The Hank Aaron Forever stamp, issued in panes of 20, symbolizes his lasting legacy in the sport and society at large. A video about the stamp is available on the Postal Service's social media platform
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