I HAD A HAMMER

For the people who have always stood by me when the going was rough—my wife, Billye; my parents, Herbert and Estella Aaron; and my children, Gaile, Hankie, Lary, Dorinda, and Ceci. I love you all.

—H.A.

For all those Negro League and sandlot players who might have been Hank Aarons if they'd only been given the chance.

—L.W.

Dedications

Introduction

1 The day I left Mobile, Alabama, to play ball…

2 Herbert Aaron and his teenage…

3 When Jackie Robinson joined…

4 In 1953, the major leagues…

5 America met Henry Aaron and civil rights…

6 There is a scene from the television…

7 By 1960, the few black players…

8 They called it “the city too busy to hate.”

9 At first, it was all about base hits.…

10 There were a few things, if only…

11 The record brought Hank Aaron into…

12 The man played in the major leagues…

Contents