This season, with Barry Bond's chase of Hank Aaron's home run record, I have thought back to my childhood memories of Hank's chase of Babe Ruth. With Bond's two home runs away, I thought it was time to try to put some of those thoughts into words.

I can remember where I was the night Hank Aaron hit 715. I was sitting in our house at 538 Hudson Terrace. I was almost 7 years old. My brother and I were in the den in front of the TV. The TV was sitting on a wheeled cart and the rabbit ears sat on top bring in WSFA TV from Montgomery. We watched as Hank hit #715. I remember watching the celebration that ensued but what I really remembered was later that year going to my first Atlanta Braves game.

Since my folks owned their own business, we rarely took long vacations. Atlanta was about two hours away and Labor Day weekended was often a time we would use to get away to Atlanta and do fun things like Six Flags, the Zoo or Stone Mountain. But in 1974, we went to a Braves game on July 20th. In my mind I remember it being called "Hank Aaron" day but I don' t know that for sure. But I remember seeing Hank in left field. Everyone knew he would not be back the next year and his playing time was being cut into by younger guys. He could still hit but he couldn't play the field as well. There was speculation that he would be playing in the American League as a DH next year. I remember talking about wouldn't it be cool if that was with the Brewers since he got his start as a Milwaukee Brave. The game went into extra innings. Willie Stargell hit a home run in the 11th to win the game for the Pirates. I went home with a prized possession. A poster they gave away that showed Aaron at the plate, his body slightly twisted from the follow through on his swing. Al Downing's head watching the ball sail over the left center field wall near the VISA ad. When we got home, I thumb tacked the poster over the headboard of my bed in my room. I remember looking at the poster over and over again. Hank Aaron had become my favorite player because he was the home run king. Sure enough the next season, he went to the Milwalkee Brewers as a DH and retired in 1976.

As I grew up, my understanding of the momentousness of home run 715 grew in my mind. When I first heard about the the racist motivated death threats, I was shocked. I didn' t care what color Hank was as a kid, I only cared that he hit home runs for the Braves. When you see the picture of his mother hugging him after 715, if you had know knowledge of context, you would think she was just a proud mama. But what she said to Henry was "If they are going to shoot you, they are going to have to shoot through me." Hank is quoted as saying "I didn't know Mama could hug that hard." I had know idea about that side of the story.

Then I learned more an more about the racial history of the south and his role in integrating southern minor league baseball and the challenges he faced as a young man before he even had a chance to break Babe Ruth's record.

You see as a child I was a fan of Hank Aaron. He was my favorite ball player. As an adult, I respected him as a man. I was understanding when he said things that other's took as him being bitter. He had a right to be bitter. It is actually surprising he is not more so.

Barry Bonds is going to break Hank Aaron's record soon. I have given up hope that he would retire after last season or that he would be indicted and suspended. The things I admire about Hank Aaron, I don' t see in Barry Bonds. A part of me is glad that Alex Rodriguez is about to hit his 500th and will soon be knocking on Barry's door. It's not that I respect A-Rod so much as a man. Quite honestly there is not much about his life I know other than some recent reports but I respect him as a player on the field. I think that my lack of respect for Bonds often blinds me to respect that may be due him as a player.

A couple of weeks ago, I pulled out the biography of Aaron for a second reading. My wife asked why I was rereading it. I couldn't put it into words for her. I think I have a better grasp on it now. A part of me is mourning the loss of a part of my childhood. That record was and is a part of my childhood. In someways, I shared the record with him. I will miss not having Hank as the home run king, regardless of who breaks the record.

James has started taking piano lessons this summer. Last night he was practicing and came seeking Grace's help. I volunteer and he accepted help from a lesser source. He wanted to know about hand positioning on his song. I quickly showed him and pecked out the tune. That wasn't helpful to him.

Then Grace came in and did the same thing, much quicker and more competently than I had done it. James announced with frustration: "I need someone to show me where to put my fingers not play it for me!"

There is a lesson in that cry of frustration. Being a good teacher means you can't show off your talent, but show someone else how to show their talent.

We have had a busy spring and early summer. James played on two baseball teams. The earlier post is his "travel" team. It was a new experience and a positive one for us. The two teams took up most of his time. However, Grace had her own busyness going on.

Grace was in the play Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. It was a fun experience. She was a maid of honor and looked older than her 10 years in her costume. Several friends and family didn't recognize her at first when she came on stage.

After the play, she decided to get her hair cut and donate the hair to Beautify Lengths. Below is a picture of her after her 10 inches of hair had been cut off.


This summer she has done a week at Girls Scout camp and a week at Church Camp. At church camp she was mosquito food despite bug spray. She counted over 90 bites with over 30 on each leg. She had fun anyway.

What I have done on my blogging vacation

Here is just one snippet of what has kept me from being a good blogger. This is a photo montage of James' 7 & Under Travel Team. James is #10. I will update you more later.