Atlanta Inquirer
03-04-2006
Major League Baseball's all-time home ran leader and former Atlanta Brave,
Hank Aaron received the Atlanta Sports Awards' first Lifetime Achievement
Award. Aaron was honored during the inaugural Atlanta Sports Awards Feb. 27
at Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre.
The event, created by the Atlanta Sports Council and presented by
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, honored the most accomplished athletes
and teams at all levels from throughout the metro Atlanta community. Awards
included Professional Athlete of the Year, Collegiate Athlete of the Year
and Sports Person of the Year, among many others.
Exhibiting an under-started style that became his trademark, Hank Aaron
became the all-time home run champion via one of the most consistent
offensive careers in baseball history. In addition to his 755 home runs, he
also holds the major league record for total bases, extra-base hits and
RBI. Aaron was named the 1957 National League MVP, won three Gold Gloves
for his play in right field and was named to a record 24 all-star squads.
Aaron retired from baseball in 1976 and is currently serving as the Atlanta
Braves' vice president of player development. Aaron played for the Braves
for nine seasons, 1966-74.
'Hank Aaron is a baseball legend and was literally the definition of
achievement and consistency over his 23-year Major League career,' said
Gary Stokan, Atlanta Sports Council president. 'We are privileged to name
Atlanta's own Hammerin' Hank as the first winner of the Lifetime
Achievement Award. It is richly deserved.'
Award winners receive the 'ASA' Trophy, a specially designed work by Herff
Jones-makers of the Heisman Memorial Trophy and the Naismith Trophy. The
ASA Trophy is cast from highly polished silver in the shape of the Atlanta
Sports Awards logo.
The Atlanta Sports Awards honored 11 of the best players, coaches and teams
from the metro Atlanta community. Award presenters included:
Steve Bartkowski - former Atlanta Falcons' quarterback
Vince Dooley - former UGA head football coach and athletic director
Patrick Kearny Atlanta Falcons' defensive end
Dale Murphy - former Atlanta Brave, MLB Hall of Famer
Chris Mortenen - ESPN NFL analyst
Adam Nelson - 2005 World Outdoor champion; 2000, 2004 Olympic silver
medalist in shot put
Brad Nessler - ABC Sports and ESPN announcer
Phil Niekro - former Atlanta Brave, MLB Hall of Famer
Dan Reeves - former Atlanta Falcons head coach
Article copyright The Atlanta Inquirer.
V.45;
