Negro League Baseball Dot Com

Negro League Baseball Dot Com - The Online Home of Negro League Baseball History

The Negro League's Best Of The Best
Only 27 Negro League players had the honor of being elected to an East-West All-Star Game squad 5 or more times during the heyday of this annual classic. Who were they? More...

Negro League History 101
Need an introduction to the Negro Baseball Leagues? For those who are just discovering the story of the Negro League baseball we have prepared a primer on this fascinating part of American sports and cultural history. More...

Negro League Baseball Shop

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Question: Did Hank Aaron really play in the Negro Leagues?

Answer:

Hank Aaron began his professional baseball career as a shortstop with the Indianapolis Clowns in 1952. During his brief stay with the Clowns the young Aaron earned the nickname "Pork Chop" because of his particular liking for that entre.

Although Aaron's speed, fielding ability and natural hitting ability quickly brought him to the attention of the Milwaukee Braves, he showed little of his homerun power while with the Clowns. In fact, when he first joined the Clowns he swung the bat with a cross-handed grip...an eccentricity that was quickly corrected by the Clowns' manager.