trripleplay
07-20-2003, 08:59 PM
I came across this AP story while researching the 1954 season for SimmonsField.com:
I came across this AP story while researching the 1954 season for SimmonsField.com:
Braves Bank on Negro Rookie To Fill Bobby Thomson's Shoes
BRADENTON, Fla., March 20 (AP) -- Bobby Thomson's injury has catapulted into the spotlight with the Milwaukee Braves a 20-year-ols Negro youth who never has played higher than Class A ball. He is Henry Aaron who, until last Saturday when Thomson fractured his right ankle, was ticketed for Toledo of the American association.
The only reason he was n the Milwaukee camp was so the Braves could get a good look at the lad who led the Sally league with a .362 batting average last year. The year before, his first in organized ball, he hit .336 at Eau Claire (Wis.) in the Northern league.
With Thomson sidelined for the next six to eight weeks, Aaron will get a real shot at the regular right field position. There are many who predict the Mobile, Ala., strong boy won't be dislodged even after Thomson returns.
Rarely has a green youngster had so many champions.
Mickey Owen, who managed him in the Puerto Rican winter league and Harry Craft, who managed against him in the same league, have hung a "can't miss" label on Aaron.
Everywhere you go you encounter somebody who has seen Aaron "whale the tar out of the ball" in Eau Claire, Jacksonville, or Caguas. To man, they believe he can hit big league pitching right now.
Aaron is a solid six-footer weighing 175 pounds. He has heavy sloping shoulders like those of Mickey Mantle and his wrists are thick and powerful. He is a right handed hitter who hits with almost equal power to all fields.
In 1951, at 17, Hank began playing pro ball with the Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro semi-pro club. At the end of the season he ws purchased by the Braves for $10,000. In his first season he was voted Rookie of the Year in the Northern league.
I came across this AP story while researching the 1954 season for SimmonsField.com:
Braves Bank on Negro Rookie To Fill Bobby Thomson's Shoes
BRADENTON, Fla., March 20 (AP) -- Bobby Thomson's injury has catapulted into the spotlight with the Milwaukee Braves a 20-year-ols Negro youth who never has played higher than Class A ball. He is Henry Aaron who, until last Saturday when Thomson fractured his right ankle, was ticketed for Toledo of the American association.
The only reason he was n the Milwaukee camp was so the Braves could get a good look at the lad who led the Sally league with a .362 batting average last year. The year before, his first in organized ball, he hit .336 at Eau Claire (Wis.) in the Northern league.
With Thomson sidelined for the next six to eight weeks, Aaron will get a real shot at the regular right field position. There are many who predict the Mobile, Ala., strong boy won't be dislodged even after Thomson returns.
Rarely has a green youngster had so many champions.
Mickey Owen, who managed him in the Puerto Rican winter league and Harry Craft, who managed against him in the same league, have hung a "can't miss" label on Aaron.
Everywhere you go you encounter somebody who has seen Aaron "whale the tar out of the ball" in Eau Claire, Jacksonville, or Caguas. To man, they believe he can hit big league pitching right now.
Aaron is a solid six-footer weighing 175 pounds. He has heavy sloping shoulders like those of Mickey Mantle and his wrists are thick and powerful. He is a right handed hitter who hits with almost equal power to all fields.
In 1951, at 17, Hank began playing pro ball with the Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro semi-pro club. At the end of the season he ws purchased by the Braves for $10,000. In his first season he was voted Rookie of the Year in the Northern league.