‘Hammer Time’ Now Should Be a Good Time

I just read Mike Downey’s story in the Sunday Times, “Hammer Time.”

Like every other story about Hank Aaron that involves a personal interview, it is mostly filled with bitterness. I think that Mr. Aaron should give those hate letters to someone else and try leaving his own hate and bitterness in the past. He had one of the most amazing careers ever, in any sport, and he should enjoy it in these years, not go to his grave a bitter man.

Mr. Aaron should realize that anyone, black or white, who was going to break Babe Ruth’s records was going to be hated by many nuts. Too bad you can’t ask Roger Maris about that.

Mr. Aaron, you have earned it. Now enjoy it.

DICK YOUNG

Saugus

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Thank you, Mike Downey, for your article on Henry Aaron. Ever since I watched him hit his record-breaking home run three months after my 10th birthday I have been a devoted fan of his life and career. It always feels strange to refer to someone with 755 home runs and 2,297 RBIs as underrated, but I believe this is the case.

I must disagree, however, with the amount of emphasis that is placed on the race issue. It is easy to blame any lack of recognition for his feats on people’s non-acceptance of an African American baseball hero. I believe that the main reason he never has been given his due is the fact that he was “unfortunate” enough to play for a team from Milwaukee and then Atlanta. His soft-spoken demeanor didn’t help either.

If race were the sole issue, then what would explain the cultlike status that Willie Mays enjoys? The answer to that, of course, is that Mays played much of his career in New York. Harmon Killebrew’s numbers match up quite well with Reggie Jackson’s, but who is considered a bigger star?

If Henry Aaron had played for the Brooklyn Dodgers or the New York Yankees I guarantee he would’ve had his own one-hour segment in Ken Burns’ film. Hell, he probably would be on Mt. Rushmore after all.

ANDREW G. SMITH

Hollywood