Latest news with #HankAaron
New York Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
How that photo of Hank Aaron's widow went from personal snapshot to viral tearjerker
For all the Big Dumper hoopla and swing-off madness, the most indelible image of MLB's All-Star Game came during a solemn moment of respect. Billye Aaron, the 88-year-old widow of Henry 'Hank' Aaron, rose from her seat as a solitary figure during the sixth inning Tuesday night as the Atlanta Braves played a tribute to her legendary husband on the Truist Park video board. Advertisement Amid this profound and smoke-tinged backdrop, a team consultant who works closely with Mrs. Aaron snapped a photo with his iPhone. Bryan Harris hit the shutter button intending to share his photo with his subject. 'I know how important Henry was to her and how much she misses him, so I wanted to capture that photo for her,' said Harris, who works as a communications advisor for sports teams and organizations. 'When the program ended and the lights came up, the crowd gave a standing ovation for Henry and Billye, it was hard to not get caught up in the emotion of it all. 'I showed her the picture, and she beamed. I asked her if she was OK with me sharing it with the team, and she said absolutely.' The team, in turn, shared the photo on social media, and by Thursday afternoon, the image had been seen by 1.3 million people on its X and liked 51,000 times on its Instagram. Fans of the photo included a player who will join Aaron as a Cooperstown enshrinee when he is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame later this month. This was everything. — CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) July 16, 2025 The photo captured the grandeur of the brightly lit 715, which signified the home run that propelled Aaron past Babe Ruth for what was then the home run record, on April 18, 1974. But the shot also conveyed an intimate bond between an accomplished husband and wife. Billye Aaron, the first African American woman in the Southeast to co-host a daily, regularly scheduled talk show, married Hank in 1973 and they remained together until the day he died on Jan. 22, 2021. To find out more about the iPhone shot seen 'round the world, The Athletic reached out to Harris and asked how he got that shot. This is the story behind the photo, in the photographer's own words. When she's at games, Mrs. Aaron watches from the suite with Terry McGuirk, the Braves chairman. She always sits in the same corner seat, four rows up from the ledge overlooking the 100 level. Whenever possible, I meet her underneath the ballpark and escort her to the suite. If she sees someone she knows on the trip up or in the suite, she asks me to take pictures and text them to her. For instance, when she arrived on Monday, we heard someone call her name outside the NL clubhouse, and it was Freddie Freeman. He came up and gave her a huge hug, introduced his family and asked for a picture. Same with Ken Griffey Jr. in the suite. She loves keeping all these on her phone. When we do things inside the ballpark to honor Henry, the crowd wants to see her. She used to come to the field for moments like that, but it really puts a burden on her. Instead, she now comes down to the ledge in the front of the suite so that our stadium and broadcast cameras can capture her clearly. It creates a wonderful moment because the fans below her start chanting her name and cheering. The Braves' game experience team told me to let her know when the moment would take place Tuesday night (end of sixth inning) and gave her the option to walk down the steps, which she was glad to do. I knew that the moment on the field would be spectacular. The Braves and MLB put so much time, planning and effort into creating something memorable for the people inside Truist Park and the global audience on television. That being said, I was struck by the fact that this spectacle was taking place in front of the world and Mrs. Aaron was standing there alone. After the video started, I saw her standing there and wanted to capture that moment for her. It was completely spontaneous, and I took it on my iPhone. She didn't know it was happening. When the moment was over, I came down and grabbed her hand and walked her back to her seat. People in my role are meant to be in the background. I was in that spot because my clients (Braves and MLB) allowed me to come alongside them. My work gives me the good fortune to be behind-the-scenes for so many 'pinch me' moments, and I never want to take that for granted. Every now and then, I will be at the right place and right time to capture something special, like the moment with Mrs. Aaron. As for the reaction, honestly, only my family, Mrs. Aaron and the Braves knew that I took the picture, and that's perfectly fine with me. My kids tagged me in a few of the comments, which made me laugh. The fact that so many people have seen and been moved by the picture is awesome. I've enjoyed reading all the comments on social media as fans profess their love for Henry and Billye. That's where all the attention should be. I've been honored to spend a lot of time with Mrs. Aaron the past couple years and she has been so gracious and welcoming to me. Many people don't know that she was a distinguished journalist who left her mark in Atlanta in so many ways. She's still a storyteller at heart and she and Henry made a powerhouse team. I hope that the image of her that I captured, as well as the in-game celebration, will inspire people to learn more about Hank and his incredible legacy. If they really liked the picture, then I would encourage them to visit and donate to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, which supports those who are following in his footsteps on the field and in the front office. (Top photo of Billye Aaron / Bryan Harris: Courtesy of the Atlanta Braves)
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Hank Aaron honored with emotional 715th home run tribute at 2025 MLB All-Star Game
Hank Aaron honored with emotional 715th home run tribute at 2025 MLB All-Star Game (Image Via X) A truly special moment lit up the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, held on Tuesday, July 15, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Fans were caught by surprise when the league paid a heartfelt tribute to late baseball legend Hank Aaron. What happened next had everyone standing still. It wasn't just a video or speech, it was a stunning recreation of one of baseball's greatest moments. Hank Aaron's 715th home run recreated in Atlanta with breathtaking projection During a break in the action at the 2025 All-Star Game, the stadium lights dimmed, and a powerful tribute began. The MLB used advanced projection technology to recreate Hank Aaron's iconic 715th home run, the swing that broke Babe Ruth's record back in 1974. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) The projection showed Aaron stepping up to the plate in his white Braves uniform, the crack of the bat, and the ball flying out over the fence. It played out across the field, with fans watching from their seats in awe. The ball's flight path was shown in the sky above, while crowd sounds from that historic night echoed through the speakers. The tribute ended with Aaron rounding the bases in hologram form and the stadium screen flashing: 'Hammerin' Hank – Forever a Legend.' Aaron, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 86, played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He finished his career with 755 home runs and inspired millions through both his talent and courage. The tribute was especially meaningful, as Truist Park is the home of the Atlanta Braves, the team where Aaron made history. Fans, players, and family honor Hank Aaron's legacy during emotional moment The crowd gave a long standing ovation after the tribute ended. Many fans could be seen wiping away tears. Players from both the National and American League teams stood quietly, some with their hats off, honoring the moment. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred spoke briefly after the tribute, saying, 'Hank Aaron's 715th home run changed baseball forever. Tonight, we remember that swing and everything it stood for.' Also Read: Shohei Ohtani Creates Viral Buzz After Mocking Rib Shot From Robert Suarez At MLB All Star Game 2025 Aaron's family was also present in the stadium, watching the tribute from a suite. According to reports from TMZ Sports and ESPN, they were deeply moved by the gesture and thanked MLB for keeping Aaron's legacy alive in such a powerful way. For baseball fans, it was more than a highlight. It was a moment they'll remember for the rest of their lives. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hank Aaron's family reacts to memorable tribute at 2025 MLB All-Star Game
The tribute to 'Hammerin' Hank' Aaron's iconic 715th home run at Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game was one to remember. Channel 2's Karyn Greer spoke to Aaron's granddaughter about what that legendary moment meant to her and her family. 'It's actually incredible. I had, I did not expect that,' Emily Haydel said. She was not even born when her grandfather changed the face of baseball. But Tuesday night's special tribute made her and thousands of others feel like they were there. 'It modernized the moment for people who weren't as aware of it because they weren't alive and or weren't in attendance. It's just a great way to remind people of my granddad, who I know would have loved to be here at the All-Star game here in Atlanta. So it was a very touching moment for sure,' she said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Chances are that some people won't remember the score of the All-Star Game or who won in the end. They will talk about that pyrotechnic shot off home plate that traced Aaron's iconic record-breaking home run. 'The part at the end when he was like, you know, 'I want to be remembered as a great baseball player, but I want to be known as an even better human being.' And that was what got me, and is getting me right now. But that moment, I think, like encapsulated who he was as a person. Greer also spoke with Aaron's widow, Billye Suber Aaron. Fans could see her waving as the tribute wrapped up. She was visibly tearful about the tribute to her late husband and said she wouldn't have missed the All-Star Game and she was honored to share her husband with the world. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] [RELATED STORIES] New tribute to 'Hammerin' Hank' Aaron on 50th anniversary of record-breaking 715th homerun Billye Aaron shares memories from night Hank Aaron made history with his 715th home run Hammerin' Hank Aaron: A look back at his career and accomplishments
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The late Hank Aaron provided one of MLB All-Star Game's most memorable moments
The 2025 MLB All-Star Game had plenty of big moments, as the National League let a six-run lead slip away in the late innings but emerged victorious after a home run 'swing-off' determined the outcome of the 95th annual event for the first time. One of the biggest moments from the game, however, actually occurred 51 years, three months and one week earlier. That's when the legendary Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's longstanding MLB record with his 715th home run — a milestone event that was re-created in dramatic fashion after the sixth inning Tuesday night (July 15, a.k.a, 7/15) at Truist Park in Atlanta. Read more: 'It was awesome.' Clayton Kershaw is the All-Star among All-Stars as NL defeats AL The actual milestone event took place about 10 miles from there on April 8, 1974, when Aaron and the Atlanta Braves hosted the Dodgers at the since-demolished Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. A crowd of 53,775 was on hand, with millions more watching on national TV, when Aaron launched a fourth-inning pitch by Al Downing over the left-center-field wall to make baseball history. This week, a crowd of 41,176 — again with millions more watching on TV or streaming — witnessed the moment come back to life through video and audio clips (yep, that's legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully you hear, along with Braves announcer Milo Hamilton), pyrotechnics and lots of modern technology. It was really a sight to behold as Aaron and the others somehow appeared on the field as the events unfolded just like they did more than a half-century ago. A firework was launched from home plate and scorched through the air marking the trajectory of Aaron's landmark blast. Lighted footprints traced the Hall of Famer's every step around the basepath. The tribute included part of Scully's call from that day. "What a marvelous moment for baseball," he said, "what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world." (Although it wasn't included in the tribute, Scully went on to explain one of the reasons the moment was so significant: "A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. And it is a great moment for all of us, and particularly for Henry Aaron.') Aaron died in 2021 at age 86, but his wife Billye Aaron was on hand for the festivities. "I think people can look at me and say, 'He was a great baseball player, but he was even a greater human being,'" Aaron said in a clip that played at the end of the tribute. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Toronto Sun
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
MLB, Fox ripped for editing iconic home run call in stunning Hank Aaron tribute
Broadcaster Vin Scully's famous call of the Atlanta Braves legend's 715th career home run was edited during MLB all-star game tribute. Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron eyes the flight of the ball after hitting his 715th career homer in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974. AP Photo Major League Baseball loves to celebrate its history and its iconic players, so it was only fitting that they put on a stellar tribute to Hank Aaron during Tuesday night's All-Star Game in Atlanta. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Aaron dethroned Babe Ruth as MLB's all-time home run leader as a member of the Braves on April 8, 1974, hitting his 715th career home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The tribute to Aaron was quite a spectacle, using holograms and fireworks to recreate the moment on the field for those in attendance and the fans watching at home. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But while most baseball fans were left in awe, many were quick to point out that some creative editing had been done to the famous TV call made by legendary announcer Vin Scully. During the Dodgers announcer's iconic call, Scully references the fact that Aaron, a Black man, is receiving a standing ovation while playing in the Deep South. 'What a marvellous moment for baseball, what a marvellous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvellous moment for the country and the world,' Scully said during the call from 1974. 'A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. And it is a great moment for all of us and particularly for Henry Aaron.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. However, MLB and the Braves apparently decided against using the full call, ending the audio before Scully says, 'A Black man is getting a standing ovation.' While the majority of fans commenting on social media about the tribute, some were quick to point out the omission. 'Stunning tribute. Though, was it MLB or foxsports who cut the MOST IMPORTANT LINE in Vin Scully's call??' one user asked on X. 'After 'What a marvellous moment for…' 'A BLACK MAN IS GETTING A STANDING OVATION IN THE DEEP SOUTH FOR BREAKING A RECORD OF AN ALL-TIME BASEBALL IDOL.' Stunning tribute. Though, was it @MLB or @foxsports who cut the MOST IMPORTANT LINE in Vin Scully's call?? After 'What a marvelous moment for..." "A BLACK MAN IS GETTING A STANDING OVATION IN THE DEEP SOUTH FOR BREAKING A RECORD OF AN ALL-TIME BASEBALL IDOL.' — David J Prohaska (@djprohaska) July 16, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'When you omit 'A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol,' you completely alter what Scully was describing as 'marvellous.' baseball writer Craig Calcaterra posted on social media site BlueSky. 'Scully was NOT just broadly marvelling. He was marvelling at a very specific, very important thing.' 'Man they sure took care to cut Vin Scully's call veeeery carefully didn't they,' one user commented on Reddit. 'This is like showing (the movie) 42 but only the scenes where (Jackie Robinson) is playing ball on mute,' another replied. Read More Celebrity Crime Entertainment Canada World
