Saturday, January 23, 2021

I don't know why, but can I have this, kid?

I don't have any particular connection to Hank Aaron. No real story about what he meant to me or a vivid memory or anything. I just knew him as a mythical baseball name and figure.

I'd actually say that one of my first memories of him is the scene in The Sandlot when Babe Ruth's ghost grabs Benny's Hank Aaron card and asks if he can keep it. I always found it to be a nice touch and a heartfelt moment in the movie.

"I don't know why, but can I have this, kid?"
Very generous of Benny to give up a card like that. I certainly wouldn't. Babe Ruth can go find his own '54 Topps Hank Aaron rookie card. 

My Hank Aaron card collection is very modest. I'd say if Babe Ruth's ghost were to visit me, he'd probably want this card:
This was a Listia score for me back in 2014. I fully admit that I don't know if it's real, but a lot of these were produced and signed, and it checks out compared to others I've seen. Here's my post about winning that card on the credits-based auction site.

I do have a few vintage Aarons, although so does my son. Several of you have sent me son some really nice cards for the HOF binder I keep for him (even though he cares more about Charizard than any Hall of Famer). Still, one day he'll enjoy a card like this, courtesy of Zippy Zappy:
The baseball world has lost a lot of great ones recently. The numbers keep mounting up. And it always hurts to lose a legend.

RIP, Hammerin' Hank.

9 comments:

  1. Our heroes are aging...and moving on. I feel it will be another rough season for us.

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  2. Nice post. I don't have a connection to Aaron either, but the more I've read about him in the last 24 hours the more I wonder why MLB didn't do more to celebrate him while he was with us. His baseball talent is undeniable, but from all accounts he was a better person than player... and that's saying something!

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  3. I know I wouldn't give up my 54" Aaron. One of the greatest cards in my collection, if not the best. I've always said that I don't have a favorite, but this one is as close as it gets.

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  4. Don't remember seeing him play. Never pulled a card out of a pack from his playing years. My main connection to Aaron was that as a kid, he was the king.

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  5. Great post for sure. We’ve lost about 11 in the past year or so. Sad to see so many greats passing.

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  6. I enjoyed your post. Hank Aaron has been a mystical idol of mine all of my life.

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  7. Very nice post, AJ. What kinds of cards do you need/want for your sons HOF binder?

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