Former President Jimmy Carter delivered a message by video Wednesday during Hank Aaron’s funeral in Atlanta.
Carter, who was governor of Georgia and in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium when Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974, said he and Aaron were good friends.
The video included a photo of Carter and Aaron taken at the White House and another after Aaron’s historic home run in 1974.
“Hank Aaron has been a friend of mine for a long time and a special friend,” Carter said. “I was there when he hit his famous home run 715. And I gave him a [car] tag for his Cadillac the Chamber of Commerce gave him. So I gave him a $10 tag and the Chamber of Commerce gave him a new Cadillac. He and I became very close friends. When he and Billye used to go to Colorado for ski trips, Hank and I both learned how to ski together. ... I talked to Billye and she was very gracious to me, and I sent her my heartfelt condolences on behalf of me and Rosalynn. We’ve lost a great friend and a great athlete.”.
Former President Bill Clinton and Former Major League Baseball Commission Bud Selig spoke at Aaron’s funeral service Wednesday, held at Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta.
After Aaron died on Friday, Carter released a statement: “Rosalynn and I are saddened by the passing of our dear friend Henry Aaron. One of the greatest baseball players of all time, he has been a personal hero to us. A breaker of records and racial barriers, his remarkable legacy will continue to inspire countless athletes and admirers for generations to come. We send our love to Billye and their family and to Hank’s many friends throughout the world.”
