The Last Hero_ A Life Of Henry Aaron Part 23

Chuck Tanner, Johnny Logan, and Gene Conley provided great insight into Henry's first spring camp with the Braves and later his first season with the club in 1954. Baseball people have a saying that no one understands superstars on a ballclub like the nonsuperstars. All three men through their re-collections were instrumental in re-creating the early years of the Milwaukee Braves.

Dusty Baker and Henry Aaron have known each other for more than forty years, and Dusty's graciousness with his time and recollections informed the mentoring side of Henry that he often kept well hidden from the press and the public. Dusty Baker was also instrumental in his recollections of dates and locations of various events that proved to be essential.

Ralph Garr was an interesting character to interview. Though he and Dusty Baker comprised Henry's inner circle during Henry's years with the Atlanta Braves, Garr was not one to remember names, dates, or places. However, few people were better in gauging the heart of Henry, of what spurred the emotions of a man who for a quarter century often hid what he was feeling. For that, I am grateful.

Frank Bellati and Bill Henneberry were excellent resources on Henry's postcareer years. Bellati and Henry became lifelong friends and business partners and his recollections of how Henry began his years as a fast-food franchisee were invaluable. As Henry began to be rediscovered by baseball in the late 1990s, it was Bill Henneberry who was responsible for many of the initiatives that brought Henry back into the public eye. His recollections were important to the narrative.

The following people were also interviewed: Carolyn Aaron, Tommie Aaron, Jr., Veleeta Aaron, David Alsobrook, Larry Baer, Bill Bartholomay, Furman Bisher, Corey Bowdre, Della Britton-Baeza, Mike Callahan, President Jimmy Carter, Ron Cey, President Bill Clinton, Leonard Coleman, Patrick Courtney, Wes Covington, Janie Daugherty, Odie Davis, Al Downing, Stewart 'Buz' Eisenberg, Vivian Davis Figures, Terry Francona, t.i.to Francona, Jim Frey, Ron Gant, Cito Gaston, David Halberstam, John Helyar, Roy Hoffmann, Bob Hope, Paulette Horton, Tom House, Jeff Idelson, Reggie Jackson, Ferguson Jenkins, Derek Jeter, David Justice, Stan Kasten, Collette King, Joe Klein, Lee Lacy, Bud Lea, Ron LeFlore, Richard Levin, Eric Levy, Davey Lopes, Earnell Lucas, Felix Mantilla, David Maraniss, Mike Marshall, Tim McCarver, Fred McGriff, Wayne Minshew, George Moore, Terence Moore, Joe Morgan, Don Newcombe, David Ortiz, Julia Payne, Jamila Phillips, Lou Piniella, Jerry Poling, Reese Schonfeld, George Scott, Lila Sebrecht, Bud Selig, Bill Slack, Stan Slack, Jimmie Lee Solomon, Greg Spahn, Roxanne Spillett, Paul Snyder, Brandon Steiner, Don Sutton, Allan Tanenbaum, Mike Tollin, Frank Torre, Joe Torre, Ted Turner, John Walsh, Tim Wiles, Ted Williams, Joy Windham, Bill White, Kearny Windham, Jimmy Wynn, Steve Yeager, Andrew Young, and Robin Yount.

ANONYMOUS SOURCES.

For some of the more sensitive areas of the book where legal action was threatened against potential interviewees, anonymous sources were used, and I thank them for their candor. Barry Bonds, in particular, told some intimates close to the creation of Bonds on Bonds Bonds on Bonds, his reality television show that appeared on ESPN, that he would sue anyone who discussed elements of the process he deemed confidential. Through his spokespeople, Barry Bonds declined to be interviewed for this book.

BOOKS AND ARTICLES.

Henry Aaron's I Had a Hammer I Had a Hammer (1991) is the only book in which Henry speaks in the first person about his life. Written with Lonnie Wheeler, the book is a natural first place to begin in that it laid a foundation to begin tracing Henry's life. (1991) is the only book in which Henry speaks in the first person about his life. Written with Lonnie Wheeler, the book is a natural first place to begin in that it laid a foundation to begin tracing Henry's life.

Clinton McCarty's memoir, The Reins of Power: Racial Change and Challenge in a Southern City The Reins of Power: Racial Change and Challenge in a Southern City (1999), provides an unflinching, disturbing portrait of a period in Wilc.o.x County, Alabama, the childhood home of Henry Aaron's parents, Herbert and Estella. McCarty told me that when his book was published its candor cost him more than one African-American friend, who thought the book racist. His book offered an uncomfortable, valuable glimpse into the att.i.tude of whites toward blacks in a place that was originally one of the strongholds of American slavery. (1999), provides an unflinching, disturbing portrait of a period in Wilc.o.x County, Alabama, the childhood home of Henry Aaron's parents, Herbert and Estella. McCarty told me that when his book was published its candor cost him more than one African-American friend, who thought the book racist. His book offered an uncomfortable, valuable glimpse into the att.i.tude of whites toward blacks in a place that was originally one of the strongholds of American slavery.

Leon Litwack's Trouble in Mind: Black Southerners in the Age of Jim Crow Trouble in Mind: Black Southerners in the Age of Jim Crow (1998) was an indispensable resource for understanding the depth of Jim Crow laws-not only the effects on African-Americans but its lasting effect on southern culture and, by extension, on families like the Aarons. (1998) was an indispensable resource for understanding the depth of Jim Crow laws-not only the effects on African-Americans but its lasting effect on southern culture and, by extension, on families like the Aarons.

Pauline Davis-Horton's The Avenue: The Place, the People, the Memories The Avenue: The Place, the People, the Memories (1991) is an essential starting point for understanding black Mobile in the twentieth century, painting a portrait of the various places on Davis Avenue a young Henry Aaron frequented as well as providing an invaluable resource for the African-American experience in Mobile. (1991) is an essential starting point for understanding black Mobile in the twentieth century, painting a portrait of the various places on Davis Avenue a young Henry Aaron frequented as well as providing an invaluable resource for the African-American experience in Mobile.

Jerry Poling's A Summer Up North: Henry Aaron and the Legend of Eau Claire Baseball A Summer Up North: Henry Aaron and the Legend of Eau Claire Baseball (2002) fills in the important period Henry spent with the Eau Claire Bears, his first step in the game of white organized baseball. (2002) fills in the important period Henry spent with the Eau Claire Bears, his first step in the game of white organized baseball.

Frank Aukofer's City with a Chance: A Case History of Civil Rights Revolution City with a Chance: A Case History of Civil Rights Revolution (2007) provided color on an important period of racial change and upheaval in the city of Milwaukee and highlighted the role of Father James Groppi in the civil rights movement of the city. (2007) provided color on an important period of racial change and upheaval in the city of Milwaukee and highlighted the role of Father James Groppi in the civil rights movement of the city.

Gary Pomerantz's Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Autumn: A Saga of Race and Family Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Autumn: A Saga of Race and Family (1996) provided a thorough account of the socioeconomic and political climate of Atlanta just as the Milwaukee Braves planned to relocate to the Deep South. Pomerantz's book helped illuminate more clearly life in Atlanta and placed into greater context Henry Aaron's initial hesitancy in moving back to the South. (1996) provided a thorough account of the socioeconomic and political climate of Atlanta just as the Milwaukee Braves planned to relocate to the Deep South. Pomerantz's book helped illuminate more clearly life in Atlanta and placed into greater context Henry Aaron's initial hesitancy in moving back to the South.

Eddie Mathews's memoir, Eddie Mathews and the National Pastime Eddie Mathews and the National Pastime (1994), offered Mathews's unique voice in lieu of Mathews himself, who died in 2001. He was particularly close to Henry. The book, written with Bob Buege, captures the Mathews personality that sp.a.w.ned all three franchise locations, from Boston to Milwaukee to Atlanta. (1994), offered Mathews's unique voice in lieu of Mathews himself, who died in 2001. He was particularly close to Henry. The book, written with Bob Buege, captures the Mathews personality that sp.a.w.ned all three franchise locations, from Boston to Milwaukee to Atlanta.

Bob Buege's The Milwaukee Braves: A Baseball Eulogy The Milwaukee Braves: A Baseball Eulogy (1988) filled in important gaps regarding the day-to-day triumphs and defeats of the Milwaukee Braves. Only so much color can be gleaned from poring over box scores, and Bob Buege's book helped re-create Henry's time in Milwaukee. (1988) filled in important gaps regarding the day-to-day triumphs and defeats of the Milwaukee Braves. Only so much color can be gleaned from poring over box scores, and Bob Buege's book helped re-create Henry's time in Milwaukee.

Bad Henry (1974), Henry Aaron's authorized collaboration with Stan Baldwin and Jerry Jenkins, was the only book that recognized Henry's relations.h.i.+p with the late Father Michael Sablica, an important moment in Henry's life both in reaffirming his religious beliefs as well as giving Henry's time in Milwaukee a greater dimension. (1974), Henry Aaron's authorized collaboration with Stan Baldwin and Jerry Jenkins, was the only book that recognized Henry's relations.h.i.+p with the late Father Michael Sablica, an important moment in Henry's life both in reaffirming his religious beliefs as well as giving Henry's time in Milwaukee a greater dimension.

David Alsobrook's unpublished dissertation, Alabama's Port City: Mobile During the Progressive Era, 18961917 Alabama's Port City: Mobile During the Progressive Era, 18961917 (1983), is a magnificent resource for understanding the dramatic and debilitating s.h.i.+ft from the Reconstruction Era to Jim Crow in Mobile. (1983), is a magnificent resource for understanding the dramatic and debilitating s.h.i.+ft from the Reconstruction Era to Jim Crow in Mobile.

Christopher Andrew Nordmann's Free Negroes in Mobile County, Alabama Free Negroes in Mobile County, Alabama (1990) provided important context to daily life in Mobile for blacks. (1990) provided important context to daily life in Mobile for blacks.

NOTES.

CHAPTER ONE: HERBERT.

1 My Dear Sir: My Dear Sir: H. C. Nixon Responses to Questionnaire on Slavery, LPR91, Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama. H. C. Nixon Responses to Questionnaire on Slavery, LPR91, Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama.2 More care must always be taken: More care must always be taken: James A. Tait Memorandum Book, Tait Family Papers, LPR35, Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama. James A. Tait Memorandum Book, Tait Family Papers, LPR35, Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama.3 Blacks as a race were commented: Blacks as a race were commented: Clinton McCarty, Clinton McCarty, The Reins of Power: Racial Change and Challenge in a Southern City The Reins of Power: Racial Change and Challenge in a Southern City (Tallaha.s.see: Sentry Press, 1999), p. 113. (Tallaha.s.see: Sentry Press, 1999), p. 113.4 Our name changed often: Our name changed often: interview with Henry Aaron. interview with Henry Aaron.5 Fury Of A Texas mob: Fury Of A Texas mob: Mobile Daily Item Mobile Daily Item, October 22, 1902.6 Negro Peeper: Negro Peeper: Mobile Daily Item Mobile Daily Item, October 12, 1902.7 Bound Face To Face ...: Bound Face To Face ...: Mobile Daily Item Mobile Daily Item, October 10, 1902.8 Used Axe On Women: Bad Negro: Used Axe On Women: Bad Negro: Mobile Daily Item Mobile Daily Item, November 4, 1902.9 Ten More Policemen Provided: Ten More Policemen Provided: Mobile Daily Item Mobile Daily Item, October 16, 1902.

10 With the disintegration of the boycott: With the disintegration of the boycott: David Alsobrook, "Alabama's Port City: Mobile During the Progressive Era, 18961917." (Ph.D. diss. Auburn University, 1983), p. 145. David Alsobrook, "Alabama's Port City: Mobile During the Progressive Era, 18961917." (Ph.D. diss. Auburn University, 1983), p. 145.

11 When you own something: When you own something: interview with Henry Aaron. interview with Henry Aaron.

12 My grandfather believed in the work: My grandfather believed in the work: interview with Tommie Aaron, Jr. interview with Tommie Aaron, Jr.

13 That was the way it was: That was the way it was: ibid. ibid.

14 Absolute Segregation Of Race: Absolute Segregation Of Race: Mobile Register Mobile Register, May 28, 1943.

15 Obviously, the black color of my skin: Obviously, the black color of my skin: Inner City News Inner City News, June 8, 1985.

16 I knew I was going to be a ballplayer: I knew I was going to be a ballplayer: Hank Aaron, with Lonnie Wheeler, Hank Aaron, with Lonnie Wheeler, I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story (New York: HarperCollins, 1992), p. 22. (New York: HarperCollins, 1992), p. 22.

17 It was never one, two, three with me: It was never one, two, three with me: interview with Henry Aaron. interview with Henry Aaron.

CHAPTER TWO: HENRY.

18 I did not find him to be forthcoming: I did not find him to be forthcoming: interview with Roger Kahn, April 2007. interview with Roger Kahn, April 2007.

19 My grandfather used to say all the time: My grandfather used to say all the time: interview with Tommie Aaron, Jr. interview with Tommie Aaron, Jr.

20 A lot of guys were playing a h.e.l.luva baseball game: A lot of guys were playing a h.e.l.luva baseball game: interview with Billy Williams. interview with Billy Williams.

21 He could hit the ball with a broken piece of wood: He could hit the ball with a broken piece of wood: interview with Ed Scott. interview with Ed Scott.

22 I told her, if this kid was Satchel Paige: I told her, if this kid was Satchel Paige: ibid. ibid.

23 I never once saw him hit cross-handed: I never once saw him hit cross-handed: ibid. ibid.

24 On May 23, Scott received a letter from George Sisler: On May 23, Scott received a letter from George Sisler: This letter is from the collection of Ed Scott. This letter is from the collection of Ed Scott.

25 Major League Scouts Take Gander: Major League Scouts Take Gander: Chicago Defender Chicago Defender, June 7, 1952.

26 Clowns' Aaron Locks Up NAL: Clowns' Aaron Locks Up NAL: Chicago Defender Chicago Defender, June 7, 1952.

27 The introduction might have been a pleasure: The introduction might have been a pleasure: Jerry Poling, Jerry Poling, A Summer Up North: Henry Aaron and the Legend of Eau Claire Baseball A Summer Up North: Henry Aaron and the Legend of Eau Claire Baseball (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2002), p. 9. (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2002), p. 9.

28 He just would not open up to you: He just would not open up to you: Interview with Wes Covington, Interview with Wes Covington, Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, August 16, 1993.

29 No one can guess his IQ: No one can guess his IQ: Al Stump, "Hank Aaron: Public Image vs. Private Reality," Al Stump, "Hank Aaron: Public Image vs. Private Reality," Sport Sport, August 1964.

30 One time I got to second base: One time I got to second base: Poling, Poling, A Summer Up North A Summer Up North, p. 40.

31 It was never a romance: It was never a romance: ibid, p. 52. ibid, p. 52.

32 When you think about who Henry Aaron is: When you think about who Henry Aaron is: interview with Jerry Poling. interview with Jerry Poling.

33 Jacksonville and Savannah: Jacksonville and Savannah: The Sporting News The Sporting News, April 15, 1953.

34 It was toward the country: It was toward the country: interview with Jim Frey. interview with Jim Frey.

35 When you're seventeen or eighteen years old: When you're seventeen or eighteen years old: interview with Felix Mantilla. interview with Felix Mantilla.

36 I remember one day I asked Henry: I remember one day I asked Henry: interview with Bill Slack. interview with Bill Slack.

37 I'll never forget that day at the depot: I'll never forget that day at the depot: interview with Ed Scott. interview with Ed Scott.

CHAPTER THREE: STEPIN FETCHIT.

38 Any amount you ask for that kid Henry Aaron: Any amount you ask for that kid Henry Aaron: Milwaukee Journal Milwaukee Journal, March 3, 1954.

39 Aaron Given Divided Vote By Prophets: Aaron Given Divided Vote By Prophets: Milwaukee Sentinel Milwaukee Sentinel, March 14, 1954.

40 Aaron laid claim to a permanent roster: Aaron laid claim to a permanent roster: Mark Stewart and Mike Kennedy, Mark Stewart and Mike Kennedy, Hammering Hank: How the Media Made Henry Aaron Hammering Hank: How the Media Made Henry Aaron (Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press, 2006), p. 49. (Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press, 2006), p. 49.

41 I was playing in Sarasota: I was playing in Sarasota: Hank Aaron, with d.i.c.k Schaap: Hank Aaron, with d.i.c.k Schaap: Home Run: My Life in Pictures Home Run: My Life in Pictures (New York: Total Sports, 1999), p. 47. (New York: Total Sports, 1999), p. 47.

42 Red Sox Shade Braves, 32: Red Sox Shade Braves, 32: Milwaukee Journal Milwaukee Journal, March 11, 1954.

43 a little house on stilts: a little house on stilts: interview with Henry Aaron. interview with Henry Aaron.

44 I remembered thinking: I remembered thinking: interview with Bill White. interview with Bill White.

45 Mother Gibson Serves Very Tasty Table: Mother Gibson Serves Very Tasty Table: Milwaukee Journal Milwaukee Journal, March 2, 1954.

46 Mrs. Gibson's was the best choice at that time: Mrs. Gibson's was the best choice at that time: interview with Henry Aaron. interview with Henry Aaron.

47 Behind the scenes, we made things happen: Behind the scenes, we made things happen: interview with Bill White. interview with Bill White.

48 "Slow Motion" Aaron Becomes: "Slow Motion" Aaron Becomes: Milwaukee Journal Milwaukee Journal, March 21, 1954.

49 He was talking about something: He was talking about something: interview with Henry Aaron. interview with Henry Aaron.

50 We had so many different people: We had so many different people: interview with Chuck Tanner. interview with Chuck Tanner.

CHAPTER FOUR: MILWAUKEE.

51 The whole thing is utterly fantastic: The whole thing is utterly fantastic: The Sporting News The Sporting News, July 18, 1951.

52 With the team we had: With the team we had: interview with Johnny Logan. interview with Johnny Logan.

53 We got automobiles to drive: We got automobiles to drive: interview with Frank Torre. interview with Frank Torre.

54 The free choice of residence: The free choice of residence: Milwaukee Commission on Human Rights, Milwaukee Commission on Human Rights, The Housing of Negroes in Milwaukee The Housing of Negroes in Milwaukee, 1955, pamphlet 57-2402 (Milwaukee, 1955); available online at www.wisconsinhistory.org.

55 The first thing I noticed about Milwaukee: The first thing I noticed about Milwaukee: interview with Henry Aaron. interview with Henry Aaron.

56 If it weren't for Bill Bruton: If it weren't for Bill Bruton: ibid. ibid.

57 There were beaches everywhere in Florida: There were beaches everywhere in Florida: Larry Moffi and Jonathan Kronstadt, Larry Moffi and Jonathan Kronstadt, Crossing the Line: Black Major Leaguers, 19471959 Crossing the Line: Black Major Leaguers, 19471959 (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1994), p. 89. (Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1994), p. 89.

58 My grandfather was a shortstop: My grandfather was a shortstop: interview with Greg Spahn. interview with Greg Spahn.

59 Spahn and I: Spahn and I: interview with Henry Aaron. interview with Henry Aaron.

60 No way: No way: Milwaukee Sentinel Milwaukee Sentinel, March 11, 1954.

61 He knew Henry was going to have it rough: He knew Henry was going to have it rough: interview with Chuck Tanner. interview with Chuck Tanner.

62 Aaron Good Now: Aaron Good Now: Milwaukee Journal Milwaukee Journal, June 25, 1954.

CHAPTER FIVE: WEHMEIER.

63 Aaron, who rarely shows emotion: Aaron, who rarely shows emotion: This and subsequent quotes regarding the banquet are from This and subsequent quotes regarding the banquet are from The Sporting News The Sporting News, February 1, 1956.

64 I shouldn't dignify either question: I shouldn't dignify either question: The Sporting News The Sporting News, September 28, 1955.