With another year coming to a close, the Washington Examiner is looking back at some of the high-profile people who died in 2021, including a sports legend, media icons, and political giants.
Bob Johnson/AP
Hank Aaron, 86
Baseball fans know the MLB legend for breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs, but less talked about is how Hank Aaron did so during a time of racial tension and social unrest.
After finishing the 1973 season with 713 home runs, just one shy of beating Ruth’s record, the prospect of a black athlete surpassing Ruth sowed racial discord. Aaron was subjected to racist taunts from fans and even death threats. His team, the Atlanta Braves, hired a police escort for him, and Aaron checked into hotels under a different name as…
