The night started with tears. It was almost the end for them too.
In a World Series scarred by memories of one team’s cheating scandal, criticism of the other’s outdated rituals, and reminders of all the other ills that plagued the game, this was a moment that was needed.
Ten months after his death, Hank Aaron‘s legacy had once again become a salvation.
Ever since the matchup between the Atlanta Braves (Aaron’s former team) and Houston Astros (managed by Dusty Baker, one of his closest former teammates) wrapped up this month, Aaron’s memory has always taken center stage.
His number ’44’ was displayed on the midfield grass at Truist Park, as it has been all season following his death of natural causes in January. His name was mentioned by both managers, who considered him a longtime mentor and friend.
“Hank’s footprints are all over this show,” Baker said.
Braves manager Brian Snitker added, “As much as Hank was and what he meant to the game, I think he’s just a really, really good friend.”
Before Game 3, everything melded together in a first pitch ceremony. Aaron’s widow, Billye, took the field and softly cried while her son Hank Aaron Jr. fired the ceremonial pitch to Freddie Freeman.
Baker raised his arm from the Astros shelter and clenched a gloved fist.
“I think about him all the time, especially on a show like this,” Baker said. “I feel his presence.”
Hank Aaron Jr. throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series on Friday.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
After the game, Snitker was choked in the interview room trying to describe the scene.
“I need to hug Billye, you know, and,” he said before a long pause, “tell her how much I’ve missed Hank.”
Every other game in this series has been accompanied by chaotic subplots.
Ahead of Game 1, the Astros faced well-known questions about their 2017 sign-theft scandal, which two years after its release continues to tarnish the reputation of one of the league’s most visible franchises.
Before Game 2, commissioner Rob Manfred was slammed after his toneless defense of the Braves’ team name and widely ridiculed “tomahawk chop” ritual at home games – and said that despite Calls from Native American groups that the caricature of their culture is degrading and dehumanizing, the Braves are okay with going on because the league “doesn’t market our game nationally” and the Native American community near Atlanta supports the team’s branding.
Hank Aaron’s Historical 715. Homerun.
And then, in the hours leading up to the first pitch on Saturday, the league had to clarify publicly in a statement to Sports Illustrated that former President Donald Trump had not been invited to Game 4 in Atlanta — as a statement by Trump earlier in the day suggested — but had instead asked to attend the event of his own accord.
If the World Series is intended to be the league’s ultimate opportunity to showcase the sport, then this year’s edition has had the opposite effect. Like a black light exposing inconvenient truths, baseball’s problematic tensions and underlying issues have instead sparked outrage and debate.
The recognition of Aaron’s memory, meanwhile, has provided a contrasting distraction reminiscent of a life he’s spent breaking down barriers and expanding the reach of baseball.
“I’m so glad we made it into the World Series as an organization,” said Braves saver Tyler Matzek, noting that the club had planned similar commemorations for the All-Star Game before the league moved it to Denver in protest at the passage of a controversial voting rights law in Georgia.
“I think we players in this clubhouse felt like we had to do something so that his life could be celebrated in some way on the biggest stage,” Matzek added. “It’s a little extra motivation to just go out there and show what the Braves is about and he was what the Braves was about.”
Brave’s 24-year-old third baseman Austin Riley smiled as he recalled the times he met Aaron earlier in his career.
“It was one of those chilling moments,” Riley said. “He’s done so much for this game, even outside of baseball. He moved a lot of people.”
Baker and Snitker are at the top of this list.
Hank Aaron’s #44 is carved into the field grass in Truist Park.
(Brynn Anderson / Associated Press)
After Aaron helped convince the Braves to draft Baker in 1967, the two were teammates for the next eight years — the beginning of a lifelong relationship that led Baker to cite Aaron as one of his greatest personal influences.
Aaron was also a mentor to Snitker. While running the Braves’ farm system, Aaron hired Snitker as a coach and helped launch a post-game career he’s only spent in Atlanta’s organization.
“He helped shape both of us,” Snitker said. “Dusty as a young player and me as a young manager [and] Coach. I know he was very instrumental in both of our careers. I know we both just loved the man to death for what he did for us.
Much of the rest of the baseball world feels the same way, especially this week. Amid the gloom of renewed controversy, Aaron’s legacy has shimmered once again.
