The House That Herbert Aaron Built

By John Robb, Mobile, Ala. ~ St. Ignatius

The dedication of Hank Aaron’s childhood home April 14th as a museum outside the stadium that bears his name is a defining event for Baseball, Mobile and America. Its also a sorely needed breath of fresh air for fathers everywhere.

Of course, we all know Hammerin’ Hank’s remarkable journey to become Baseball’s all-time home run king – perhaps professional sports’ greatest achievement. The museum’s dedication added the crowning touch because it also celebrated Hank’s father, Herbert Aaron. Just as the old Yankee Stadium was dubbed The House That Ruth Built -- since it was literally paid for by the crowds that paid to see Babe Ruth set the home run record -- the Bay Bears’ new museum is literally The House That Herbert Aaron Built – by hand with his son’s help. Now a visitor to Hank’s childhood home can see that the qualities that empowered him to overcome rampant racism to break Ruth’s record – talent, courage and perseverance -- didn’t just drop out of the sky. They were the Christian family values nurtured within those four tiny wooden walls.                                                        

As a boy growing up in the Bronx, I considered myself blessed to spend many great afternoons at Yankee Stadium watching world champions including Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra. Later, as a news reporter I was fortunate to cover the 1977 Yankees featuring “Mr. October” Reggie Jackson. But, I was even luckier Wednesday Night to see Jackson, five other Hall of Famers and Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig come to Mobile to honor Aaron. Even the “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays rode the warning track in a golf cart, tossing baseballs to the younger fans like a Mystic Striper tossing moon pies to a Mardi Gras crowd.

But Mobile’s home grown hero was the reason for the evening and all proceeds from the museum dedication went to one of Aaron’s favorite Mobile charities: the Boys and Girls Club. His message to our children – in both his words and deeds – is as life-changing as it is simple: respect, love and obey your parents, work hard and, with time and the grace of God, you can do amazing things.

The dedication was also a wake up call to America and rightly featured on network radio during our ride home. At a time when I’m not always proud of where America is heading, when the headlines are cluttered with bailouts, big government and secular materialism, its inspiring to see what one Mobile father built with his own hands. The Aaron Home and Museum stands for what is best about Baseball, Mobile and America.

While The House That Ruth Built was demolished to make room for a bigger, version only to make more money, The House That Herbert Aaron Built – by hand – is still standing as a lasting monument to Christian family values, courage and perseverance… and its standing in Mobile, Alabama.

You can come see it for yourself.