PHOTOS: Atlanta tributes to Hank Aaron

Sports

When Aaron hit home run No. 715 on April 8, 1974, he landed in the history books and made an indelible mark in Atlanta. The Braves slugger and humanitarian planted roots deep in his adopted city, and the fruits of that relationship can be seen in the memorials to Aaron throughout the city.

A Hank Aaron bronze bust is shown in front of a shed next to the Hank Aaron Baseball Complex at Adams Park, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The complex was named after Hank Aaron in the fall of 2022, where Aaron lived in the Cascade neighborhood. The Aaron bust was once on display at Turner Field. The statue, created in 1974, was officially unveiled at it’s new home Aug. 2022. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Nine-year-old baseball player Chace Thomas carries his baseball equipment as he enters the Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron Baseball Complex at Adams Park, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The complex was named after Hank Aaron in the fall of 2022, where Aaron lived in the Cascade neighborhood. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Twelve-year-old baseball player Nicholas Hill II carries his baseball equipment as he walks past the Hank Aaron bronze bust in front of a shed at the Hank Aaron Baseball Complex at Adams Park, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The complex was named after Hank Aaron in the fall of 2022, where Aaron lived in the Cascade neighborhood. The Aaron bust was once on display at Turner Field. The statue, created in 1974, was officially unveiled at it’s new home Aug. 2022. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

Jay Witherspoon, the director of the Cyocascade Youth Organization, works with players during practice of the 12U team at the Hank Aaron Baseball Complex at Adams Park, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The complex was named after Hank Aaron in the fall of 2022, where Aaron lived in the Cascade neighborhood. Witherspoon said it’s important for the younger players to have Hank Aaron’s bust and murals at the baseball complex. Witherspoon said, “This generation of young kids did not have the opportunity to see him play, but to practice and play on the fields named after this courageous icon of baseball, Atlanta and civil rights is a true blessing as well as an honor.” (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

A portion of a mural of Hank Aaron by Atlanta-based artist Aziza Andre is shown on a shed at the Hank Aaron Baseball Complex at Adams Park, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The complex was named after Hank Aaron in the fall of 2022, where Aaron lived in the Cascade neighborhood. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

A portion of the outfield wall of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium is shown honoring Hank Aaron’s 715th home run in a parking lot owned by Georgia State University, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

A sign for Hank Aaron Drive SE is shown at the intersection with Georgia Avenue, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Atlanta. Hank Aaron Drive travels past the Center Parc Stadium, formerly Turner Field, in the Summerhill neighborhood. Turner Field was home to the Atlanta Braves for 20 seasons from 1997 – 2016. The stadium still exists, except it is now owned by Georgia State University. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

The Hank Aaron statue honoring his 715th home run is shown at Center Parc Stadium formerly Turner Field, now owned by Georgia State University, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Atlanta. The bronze statue replicates the famous photos snapped just after Aaron hit home run #715. The moment forever remembered in this and other statues, what was and remains one of the greatest moment in the history of Atlanta sports. The sculpture was dedicated September 7, 1982. The sculptor who created the statue is Ed Dwight, Jr. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

A Hank Aaron statue is shown at the Hank Aaron Plaza on the campus of the Morehouse School of Medicine, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The Henry “Hank” Aaron Bridge and Plaza were dedication, May 18, 2023. The statue was created by sculptor Abiola Akintola. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

A sign for the Hank Aaron Plaza and Bridge is shown on the Hank Aaron Bridge or Lee Street overpass of I-20 near the Morehouse School of Medicine, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The Henry “Hank” Aaron Bridge and Plaza were dedication, May 18, 2023. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

A man walks on the Hank Aaron Bridge or Lee Street overpass of I-20 near the Morehouse School of Medicine, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The Henry “Hank” Aaron Bridge and Plaza were dedication, May 18, 2023. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

A mural of #44 Hank Aaron is shown on the side of Hotdog Pete’s on Georgia Avenue close to the intersection of Hank Aaron Drive, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com) (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

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Credit: Jason Getz

A Hank Aaron bronze bust is shown in front of a shed next to the Hank Aaron Baseball Complex at Adams Park, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Atlanta. The complex was named after Hank Aaron in the fall of 2022, where Aaron lived in the Cascade neighborhood. The Aaron bust was once on display at Turner Field. The statue, created in 1974, was officially unveiled at it’s new home Aug. 2022. (Jason Getz / jason.getz@ajc.com)

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