AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > June > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMVP award should bear Aaron’s name
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
My call to Bud Selig actually was about something else involving Hank Aaron, but when you have the baseball commissioner on the other end of the phone from his office in Milwaukee, well, you swing for the fences. So I dug in deep for several more questions.
To paraphrase: Right now, with Time Warner owning the Braves, Aaron is operating in his eternal role as senior vice president. He sits in the shadows, though, mostly by choice, but he wouldn’t mind easing into the sunshine despite moving four months past his 72nd birthday. When the deal is complete to sell the franchise to Liberty Media Corp., the leading candidate, will you insist that the new folks keep Aaron around, and that they find ways to make the home run king sparkle in the brightest of lights?
In other words, do you agree with me that Aaron should have a vibrant and visible role with the new Braves’ ownership?
“Absolutely,” said Selig, before adding emphatically, “Absolutely. There’s no question about it. I will encourage it, and it should happen.”
This all goes back to the start of the process, when Selig urged outsiders interested in buying the Braves such as the Liberty Media people from around the Rocky Mountains to connect with a group from around the Chattahoochee River. Enter Aaron, along with the likely hiring by those Liberty Media people of current Braves chairman and president Terence McGuirk, the quietly brilliant executive who has been around since the days of Ted Turner. Chances are, McGuirk would run things with the same crew (general manager John Schuerholz and manager Bobby Cox, for instance) that has taken the Braves to 14 consecutive division titles.
Good. All good. Greater still, Selig knows that Aaron did more than a few things with his bat, glove, arm, legs and dignity to make the Braves famous in Milwaukee and Atlanta. Then again, Selig and Aaron have been splendid pals since the Braves came to Wisconsin during the early 1950s before the team bolted for Georgia a decade later.
“You know, Hank went to Washington with me last September during the steroid thing, and he was just tremendous,” said Selig, recalling Aaron’s testimony on Capitol Hill. “That was a pivotal moment in baseball, when we wound up with the toughest drug program in American sports, and he was so helpful. Given everything that’s happened (with the steroid controversy), well, you know how I look upon Hank Aaron. Even setting aside my own enormous regard for him as a person and more importantly as my friend, Hank Aaron is the heart and soul of baseball. Hank should always be in the forefront of as many things as possible.”
Which brings us to the primary reason why I called the commissioner. That slugger for the San Francisco Giants with his artificially inflated arms, legs and everything else just topped Babe Ruth’s 714, and he is easing his way toward Aaron’s 755. As a result, baseball is moving closer to a brutal scenario that would entail the unpopular Barry Bonds catching and passing the popular Henry Aaron.
My solution: Baseball should make Aaron even more popular.
You have an award every year for the best pitcher in each league, and it is named after Cy Young, a former player. You have an award every year for the top rookie in each league, and it is named after Jackie Robinson, a former player. You also have an award every year for the most valuable player in each league, and it is named after Kenesaw Mountain Landis, a former commissioner.
A former commissioner? Baseball should forget about Landis in this case and make its MVP award revolve around Aaron. Not only is Aaron a former player, but he is the ultimate former player given his graceful contributions to the game during and after his playing days. Baseball should make a huge deal this summer about renaming the award after Aaron to remove the focus from Bonds and return it to the legitimate slugger of all-time.
“I want to be a little bit careful that we don’t take away from the Hank Aaron Award that we do have,” said Selig, who didn’t totally dismiss my idea. He just suggested that he prefers the status quo, which has Aaron’s name on a relatively new and mostly obscure yearly award for hitters that involves a convoluted formula. In contrast, the MVP award has been around a while, and everybody knows about it. So name it after Aaron already.
Selig has that power. I mean, commissioner, you even said as much: We can’t get enough of Hammerin’ Hank, locally or otherwise.
Permalink | Comments (38) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
Comments
By Michael
June 7, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this
I assume this column was easier than telling sports editors across the country to give the Hank Aaron award the same treatment they do for the Cy Young award.
By Greg
June 7, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this
Cy Young for AL Pitchers Christy Matthewson for NL Pitchers
Babe Ruth for AL MVP Hank Aaron for NL MVP
Casey Stengal for AL Coach John McGraw for NL Coach
Ty Cobb for AL best hitter Willie Mays for NL best hitter
You may be on to something…
By John
June 7, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this
Name the AL and NL MVP awards after Cal Ripken, Jr. and Henry Aaron, respectively.
By TD
June 8, 2006 06:54 AM | Link to this
I say just leave things as they are. How many people know the MVP award has the name Landis attached to it? I am not diminishing Aaron’s contributions, but I think renaming the award is unnecessary. I like the Aaron award for best hitter, but the formula could use some tweaking.
By Rod
June 8, 2006 08:07 AM | Link to this
Aaron already has an award named after him - for the top hitter.
MVP - Most Valuable Player. Yeah, Hank really helped the Braves win a ton of Championships!! Please, he was a great player, but will never be remembered as being an important cog to a championship.
(Of course we all know why Terrence wants the award named after him instead of Landis. Terrence is soooooo predictable, some things never change.)
By tmooresucks
June 8, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
does this man even think anymore before he writes an article?
By Mart
June 8, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this
Aaron doesn’t need some patronizing pat on the back. Apparently, Mr. Moore doesn’t consider the Hammer’s place in history particularly secure.
By Chris Brown
June 8, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this
Great idea Terence…..the MVP should be named after Aaron!
You may be on to something!
By Tony Almeida
June 8, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
What a racist column.
By Atlanta Born
June 8, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this
Terrence, you really know how to tick off the hicks and hillbillies. Now you must know that if you start talking about honoring someone that is not like them, they will come out of the woodwork. I like the suggestion. Its great and you are great. Keep ticking them off. To those who responded in the negative way that they did…get over it.
By Dewan
June 8, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
Only racist people will respond with negative reaction. I think this is a good idea. Now provided that Roger Clemens is not implicated then he can get an award also. Terrence where are you going with saying Bonds is guilty. Maybe he is not guilty and waht would you think if 98% of baseball is proved guilty along with Chipper. If Bonds is proven to not be guilty then since he has the most MVP awards then why cant the award be named after him and the top HR or batter for the year be anmed the Hank Award and top closer not be the Rolaids since Rolaids is what we take when we see the Braves bullpen pitching.
By Teresa
June 8, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this
I had no idea Atlanta was so full of transients that are clueless. Good idea Terrence. To the non spelling respondent: Delta is ready when you are.
By Ron
June 8, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this
Dewan and Atlanta Born, you are obviously new to reading Mr. Moore’s columns (or else are oblivious to the obvious). His columns always bash any and everybody white and praise the power of the black man.
No, I’m not racist. BUT, when people like Mr. Moore abuse the power of the press to continue to spout off racist comments (some disguised), it’s pathetic. He’s got the AJC scared into a lawsuit if they ever release him. Once a month he writes a good column - which is a failing grade considering the amount of columns he writes.
By AFinPC
June 8, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this
WOW…I’m surprised that you don’t want to name it after someone from the Negro leagues Moore…Why not make it the Barry Bonds/Willy Mays/Jackie Robinson/Hank Aaron/Willie Stargell/Roberto Kelly MVP trophy…
By Atlanta Born
June 8, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Atlanta born means just that: ATLANTA BORN. Terrence and his articles are new to you. Regardless, its people like you and the other hicks that keep him employed. The more you respond the better it looks for him. The AJC likes the fact they he has you and the other newbies to the city locked into their website. You are in essence making him look good. Let me thank you for him. Want to see Terrence go away then stop responding. Its really very simple. Keep responding, then Terrence stays. I heard that the NY Times publish great sports articles..
By Rod
June 8, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Hey Terence - did you bother to do any fact checking before you wrote this column???
Hank Aaron played for 23 years - know how many MVP awards he won? Try ONE. Yeah, that’s right - one (in 1957). You want to name the MVP award after a man who won it one time? Hey, Dale Murphy won it twice - I guess he’d be twice a good a choice, huh?
Get real - winning an MVP award one time does not qualify you to have the award named for you.
By braves fan through and through
June 8, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this
Can we stop with all the banter about racism? Moore has a great idea and it is worth considering. Why not honor an Atlanta hero by naming the MVP award after him?
By Richard
June 8, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
They named the hitting award after Hank already - and that was a joke. When you think of the greatest hitters of all time (DiMaggio, Cobb, Ted Williams, etc), the name Hank Aaron does not come up. That one was given to him as charity. No way he deserves the biggest award of all.
By Ron
June 8, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this
Braves fan through and through - you said “Why not honor an Atlanta hero by naming the MVP award after him?” This isn’t an Atlanta award. We’re talking about the MVP for all of baseball. In the history of baseball you think Hank’s the greatest player ever?!?!
By Ron
June 8, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
Braves fan through and through - you said “Why not honor an Atlanta hero by naming the MVP award after him?” This isn’t an Atlanta award. We’re talking about the MVP for all of baseball. In the history of baseball you think Hank’s the greatest player ever?!?!
By Atlanta Born
June 8, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
To Braves fan through and through: These people are not from here and have no legitimate ties to this city. Their own home towns did’t even have sports teams. You are talking to brick walls. Every thing else has been pulled in. Why not religion. Lets pray for them to: GO BACK HOME.
By Hal
June 8, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
This is a great column and one that as an Atlantan, I’m proud of. There would be no more obvious choice(outside of Mays) to name the MVP award after.
Dewan, I just listened to an author of a Barry Bonds book just two days ago on ESPN Radio and he was backed by the AMA on this. There are only two ways the human head can grow after the age of 30. One way is a rare disease that Bonds has tested negative for and the other is growth enhancing steroids. For the longest time I wanted to believe that Bonds was clean. If for no other reason, I wanted somebody to break a big record in my lifetime. But that’s not the case here. He’s guilty of it. We all know it now. I hate that it has come to this.
By Mark
June 8, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
Aaron’s very own quiet, dignified demeanor has helped to contribute to baseball’s lack of appreciation for this fine man. Hank just does not believe in blowing his own horn; his record and the tremendous undertaking and toll it took to achieve it should speak for itself. To name the MVP trophy after him would be a way for future generations to appreciate his contributions to the game where his contemporaries have failed.
By big dog
June 8, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
Hank Aaron is one of the ten greatest baseball players of all time. You want to name the trophy after a player? Name it after Ted Williams. Look at the numbers and remember Williams served in WW2 and Korea. It is hard to tell who is a racist some times. But if any of you are, you can bite me.
By John
June 8, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this
While I would love to see Hank Aaron get more respect from the baseball world I think you are barking up the wrong tree on this one Terrance. First you would name the award for a guy that won the award only once while passing over equally as deserving candidates who have won the award multiple times; Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle to name a few. You may notice that I did not include the guy who has won more MVP awards than anyone else, Barry Bonds, for obvious reasons. This does bring me to my second concern of renaming the award; you set a precedent to have the award renamed in the future when people have forgotten things and they decide that perhaps the award should be named for someone that won it more than any other player. I personally believe MLB’s efforts may be better suited to making the Hank Aaron award more recognizable and put it on the same level as MVP, Cy Young, ROY, etc. I just think that renaming the MVP for Hank Aaron opens a big can of worms you would not want and the best way to Honor Mr. Aaron is to put effort into promoting his award
By Mike
June 8, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
I think that the Hammer is and should continue to be a great representative of the Braves and MLB in general. But naming the MVP award after him doesn’t make much sense. Aaron was a great player, one of the best, there’s no doubt about it. However, what about Mays, Dimaggio, Mantle, Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, etc…. The question is, why Aaron?
Everyone knows that Barry is a juicer. Even if he hobbles his way past 755, there are very few people that will call him the true home run king. Aaron’s place in history is secure. To suggest otherwise is an insult to a great man.
By Jack Mangus
June 8, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this
There’s good reason that Stan Musial’s nickname is The Man. He’s as close to being a saint as you can get without being canonized. And he could hit a baseball a little bit too - seven NL batting titles and three MVP awards are among the many honors he earned. Home runs? Try six All-Star Game roundtrippers and five in a doubleheader.
By Teresa
June 8, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this
As close to a saint…..? Put that bottle down and pay attention. Were’re talking about Hank Aaron.
By Gary
June 8, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
Let me start by stating that I’m Caucasian, i.e. white. I watch Hank as a kid and met him at a book signing a few years ago. Argue all you want about greatest hitter, the name of the MVP award, but Hank deserves to have an award named after him and based on his stature as a role model. He has always carried himself as a gentleman. Barry Bonds is a whiny snot-nosed brat by comparison.
The Hank Aaron Award should go to someone who has acted as an ambassador for MLB.
By Fred
June 8, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this
“John’s” got it right, build up the existing Hank award to the level of the other “named” baseball awards, and avoid the obvious pitfalls of naming the MVP award after a player.
By ec
June 8, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this
i say name it after John Rocker!!
By Danny
June 8, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this
I think Hank Aaron was one of the greatest players and being an African American had to deal with many trials and tribulations.
He is most known for hitting the most home-runs but a MVP to me would have to be overall player and thats why I would have to look at the list of tripple crown winners which I list below. Ted Williams stands out to me having won twice. He also served as a WWII and Korea pilot in which John Glenn said he was one of the best pilots he ever saw.
Ted Willams was a true American hero
Triple Crown Hitters Paul Hines 1878
Hugh Duffy 1894
Nap Lajoie 1901
Ty Cobb 1909
Heinie Zimmerman 1912
Rogers Hornsby 1922
Rogers Hornsby 1925
Jimmie Foxx 1933
Chuck Klein 1933
Lou Gehrig 1934
Joe Medwick 1937
Ted Williams 1942
Ted Williams 1947
Mickey Mantle 1956
Frank Robinson 1966
Carl Yastrzemski 1967
By jackson677
June 8, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
Strong idea Terrance. I’d also like to suggest that they give an award for the most K’s in a year and name it after another low key guy, Nolan Ryan. Both men set a tone that I’d like to see much more of in professional athletics and something for future generations to aspire to become more like.
By Matthew
June 8, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
Good idea Terrence, Aaron was a great player, but since the MVP is about the best all around player there are other players who would be just as if not more worthy. I would have nothing against baseball doing it though, Hank is one of the good guys and a true ambassador for the sport.
To get Selig to do it though you would have to show Selig how he and all the owners could profit from it. After all he is the comissioner who turned a blind eye on steroids because the results were selling tickets.
Selig is more of a villian in the steroid controversy than Bonds in my opinion. He condoned it by his indifference. That is what you get though when you make an owner comissioner.
I wish they would honor Aaron in Atlanta by renaming Turner Field: “Henry Aaron Stadium at Turner Field”. That way Ted still gets his name on it which he does deserve, but Aaron also deserves to have his name part of it also. Solution, name the stadium after Aaron and the field of play after Turner.
One last thing, if you start off a statement with “I am not a racist….”, more than likely you are a racist.
By uga4ever
June 8, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
Terrence- you don’t even get a vote for the award. Why would you care? They won’t even give you a vote for NCAA polls
By Dewan
June 8, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this
Remember the award is MVP not best hitter not best stealer or best pitcher (which is another debate), but jsut the best player. Now of all the players on the lsit without the aforementioned Barry Bonds, Hank has the most Gold Gloves even more than Willie Mays. The best players play both sides of the lines and not just one otherwise Edgar Martinez would have 12 MVP’s. Most people dotn realize that Hank has the most RBI’s and runs in the history of the game. Lets not try ands make everything balck and white when it does not have to. Me for one I find it hard to believe that Cy Yound won over 500 games when they pitched 9 and 12 innings without relief. If you have played any level of baseball you will realize that the body cant recover that quickly to pitch 3 and 4 games a week. Yes I know I was a college outfielder at Brewton- Parker College (NAIA National Champs). Do I like CY Young yes but those stats had to be skewed as they dont pass the common sense test and every one of that era batted over 400, not hardly. There have been many great ballplayers that are white, black, hispanic, and now asian. Respect the game and the players and not bash the true ambassadors like Hank, Cal, Roberto, Maddux, Jeter, Yount, Gwynn, Molitor, etc… Noticed the diversity of the players. Quick tell me what position Ty Cobb played, what about Stan Musial, maybe Ted Wiliams. Exactly, msot dont know they only know of their hitting prowess. Now if I said Hank, or Mays you would say OF. If I said Brooks Robinson we all know he played third along with Mike Schmidt.
By Russ
June 9, 2006 12:18 AM | Link to this
Hey Terrance,what an awesome column !!! I’ts true Hank Aaron only won the MVP award one time,but anyone who knows jack about baseball knows he was the greatest player to ever play. Hank has records that will never be broken (RBI,Runs scored,Most all star games,the list goes on and on.)If you take away Hank,s 755 homeruns he would still have over 3000 hits and he was just as effective fielder as the great Willie mays. It’s not a crazy idea to name the games most prestigious award after the player who was clearly head and shoulders above anyone else who ever played!!
By Russ
June 9, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this
Hey Terrance,what an awesome column !!! I’ts true Hank Aaron only won the MVP award one time,but anyone who knows jack about baseball knows he was the greatest player to ever play. Hank has records that will never be broken (RBI,Runs scored,Most all star games,the list goes on and on.)If you take away Hank,s 755 homeruns he would still have over 3000 hits and he was just as effective fielder as the great Willie mays. It’s not a crazy idea to name the games most prestigious award after the player who was clearly head and shoulders above anyone else who ever played!!