Aaron

 RIP, Henry Aaron.  A great ballplayer, a great man.  The past twelve months have seen the passing of so many of the ballplayers I grew up admiring.

(Painting by Graig Kreindler)

Vin Scully's call of Hank's 715th home run, passing Babe Ruth.  As usual, it is a perfect call by Vin.  Notice how he gives the moment a chance to breathe by saying nothing for 20 seconds and then strikes the right note about the significance of the event.  And let's not forget that 92 year old Vin has, within the past month, lost both his wife to Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), and long time friend Tommy Lasorda.

The last nine months have seen the passing of ten Hall of Famers, Al Kaline, Joe Morgan, Whitey Ford, Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Phil Niekro, Don Sutton, Aaron and Tommy Lasorda, along with Dick Allen.  All, with the exception of Lasorda, played in the 60s, and 9 of the 11 were National Leaguers reflecting the competitive inbalance between the leagues in that decade.