I Had A Hammer (p.156-215)

Hank Aaron is at the mid-point of his career, a Hall Of Fame pursuit. He is in the Atlanta Braves for his 3rd year and is putting up All-Star numbers and multiple awards. Aaron has still been fighting for Civil Rights during his MLB career that its amazing to notice that he never quit or had doubts. Hank Aaron, was there for the death of Martin Luther King. His funeral took place in Atlanta, 1 DAY before Hank's new season began. At that point he had 14 years in the major leagues and he had been going through all types of racism in the game. He was in the beginning of the critics comparing him to, the man who was king at the time, Willie Mays. At this point Hank Aaron was 4th in the all time list of homeruns and was on the pursuit for the title. He said it was getting to the point where no one cared if he played or not, it was all about the HomeRun King Title. He had a bump in his career, when he was 34. He felt weaker and he did not have a clue on what to do. He experimented with a pep gill-a greenie-that a friend gave him during the season. He said he felt HORRIBLE, and that it wasnt going to be the solution, he knew he had to get in better shape on his own.

"There was a lot of subtle apprehension about how the South's first major-league sports franchise and its black players would go over. Hank played a major role in the smoothing the transition and confirming the end of segregation in the South through his thoughtful consideration and exemplary conduct. He taught us how to do it. The first time he knocked one over the left-field fence, everyone forgot what his color was"(Aaron194). This quote is saying that the black players had trouble going from a southern league into the majors. The transition that Aaron had helped out their cause in making it easier. Once you make it to the major leagues, no one really looks at your color or race, they just focus on what you bring to the plate.