Hank Aaron Collection on Letterman, 1982-2011

[@leonardlumbers3845]

Oh, boy. And here we are: dealing with the emotional reaction I always knew I’d have when this great man’s time was called. He was on another talk show once when my grandmother said, unprompted, “he has the loveliest smile.” And I don’t know what she knew about Hammerin’ Hank, but she was right and I’ve never forgotten it. A marvellous man of great dignity and grace, of towering strength within and without. And still the bloody home run king, for my money. I’ve watched this set a couple times before; I have the ‘82 in my own VHS collection. It’s a great, gentle, life-affirming watch. RIP, Henry. Endless admiration.

[@broadcasttttable]

Same here. I was such a fan, my Dad nicknamed me "Henry." Thanks.

[@WSenator1]

To all of your comments - AMEN!

[@ws00912]

His humility and grace are head and shoulders above others, not to mention his athletic ability. Fortunate to have shared years on this earth with someone like him.

[@WSenator1]

@@ws00912 AGREED!

[@broadcasttttable]

@@ws00912 One of his biographies is called "The Last Hero...". Aptly named, wouldn't you say? Always hated the word, "hero"---much overused, and seldom understood in its actual definition but it applies in Henry's case. I'm sure there are (were) a few others out there flying under the radar screen: Roberto Clemente comes to mind, but he didn't live under the constant racial microscope afforded to Aaron in his chase of Ruth's mythical home run total. People remember the great athletes. Of not many can it be said they were even better human beings than performers but Aaron belongs in that category.

[@craigkelm180]

Hank Aaron = Class, Honor and Dignity!!

[@andrewwietecki1693]

He will always be the home run king to me. No steroids, humble, just an amazing Human being. My hero growing up and still today. Love you Hank!

[@stevehorn646]

Don't forget his goose pimples

[@MrMustangMan]

⚾🔨

[@garypuma3612]

Take away every single home run, he still had 3,000 hits. Amazing. Hank - GOAT

[@stevehorn646]

Lies

[@MrMustangMan]

🐐

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

@@stevehorn646 unable to count are ya?

[@mikefelix6338]

REST IN PEACE THE LAST TRUE HERO what a great man. Thanks Dave for these great interviews

[@fromtherubble6890]

You never heard a bad word about Hank... that is rare for any celebrity... A legend in every sense of the word

[@johnscialfa7391]

Great interview...never knew he had such a great sense of humor.

[@brandonkohl6922]

If I could ever choose an athlete of any sport, present or past, to sit down with and enjoy a conversation, Hank would be the man.

[@gotohoward]

Hank is a huge hero of mine. He played baseball and conducted himself off the field like a true gentleman.

[@bpar73]

Watched this whole thing a week ago, now this. RIP Hank. True gentleman and one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

[@tommydimopoulos6484]

Mr. Aaron should've been a unanimous choice. Pure class and talent.

[@lightshadow44]

This could be the dearest athlete of all time. My father told be of his gentile manner when I was a kid. He said watch him stride from the on-deck circle. He always carried his helmet and walked behind the catcher and umpire. He placed his helmet on first and moved into the batters box. He played the right way in every respect. We all love him for all his grace .

[@Bill_Woo]

That opening ovation is a long one. The man was loved.

[@terryelliott3183]

Integrity, character, courage. Magnificent performance.

[@joshuazerubbabel5951]

Humble legend! Thanks so much for the great collections Don!!!!

[@JFKBungart]

Mr. Aaron’s picture should be next to “dignity” in the dictionary. And yes, he is still the all-time HR king. But so much more. A complete all-around player, and a civil rights leader and icon. RIP, Henry Aaron

[@stevehorn646]

Barry last time I checked

[@JFKBungart]

@@stevehorn646 not in the real world, where guys don’t look like they shoved an air hose up their ass, and their home run totals don’t magically jump by 30 or 35 at the same time.

[@stevehorn646]

@@JFKBungart sorry, bonds is the goat

[@JFKBungart]

@@stevehorn646 it’s there on his Hall of Fame plaque. And his World Series trophies. I noticed you have lower case goat. I would stick with that.

[@stevehorn646]

@@JFKBungart lies

[@Waachiye]

*And ‘still’ Major League Baseball’s ALL-TIME HOME RUN KING, Mr. Henry Louis ‘Hank’ Aaron.*

[@nickbruni8041]

Great compilation! Shows the Man as a true Gentleman Legend !!! ⚾️

[@MrMustangMan]

⚾

[@timd8912]

Love you Mr. Aaron.

[@rickmontgomery3037]

This is a great collection of clips, thanks so much for posting :) What a great guy Hank was for interviewing, and so funny too!! RIP

[@deputay]

RIP, a giant among men

[@dezertfox3130]

And such a totally cool person!

[@deadmeat_0152]

thanks for posting this, enjoyed it very much

[@untexan]

I’m happy to finally see the post-interview interview with Al Albert that seemingly every book ever written about Letterman has referenced, thanks Don!

[@dominiknvma]

I love how casual Letterman used to dress with just the sweater and collared shirt. Looked nice

[@mcgurkryans]

8:24... this part where they have him imitate a post-game interview is absolutely brilliant. Loved how Hank played along.

[@nickrigdon8883]

Thanks for the upload Don. Hank was my idol.

[@jpcards]

The last interview is fantastic. The part where Hank is talking about "light" and "heavy" pitches and standing in there no problem against 90-100 mph heat, Dave and even the audience were kind of floored by that. Wish I could've seen him play. Absolute legend.

[@timmcleaners1987]

Loved the Nixon joke.

[@timmcleaners1987]

The Jim Palmer underwear joke was really good too.

[@marbury2403]

What a good man.

[@GeoffNelson]

It’s funny to see Dave star-struck. Doesn’t happen often.

[@marksoquetjr4693]

Thanks again Don

[@thecollector893]

one of the best

[@gates69]

Proud to say he called Milwaukee home for many years

[@Bill_Woo]

Here's some trivia as I grew up watching almost all the games. He DID have speed. Numerous times he did something I've seen rarely, unremarkably rounding first base during a routine single, but not breaking stride and sprinting to second! After the nonchalant toss from an outfielder to the shortstop in short outfield was a panicked relay to the base, and every time I saw it he punked them. Subtle - but made it look so easy.

[@milart12]

Hank really seemed to enjoy himself with Dave.

[@ThekiBoran]

My guess is because Letterman is a genuine baseball fan and the hammer knew it.

[@timmyteaching]

Henry Aaron is arguably the best ever. Definitely top 3.

[@elibutton]

Rest in Peace Hank

[@marcyfan]

dave has good taste in who he's starstruck by. thank you, don.

[@bonZoowe]

Im from hank Arron's home town he cool

[@perijetton9275]

I was there!!

[@stevehorn646]

Ok buddy. Keep lying

[@perijetton9275]

@@stevehorn646 I was in Atlanta Fulton county stadium and saw in person him hit 715. And I’m not a guy but a girl!

[@stevehorn646]

@@perijetton9275 a girl can be a buddy. I still don't believe you were there

[@christopheramrston9732]

The one and only the first great memory of watching a baseball game and became a life long baseball fan i was 9 years old watching hank hit number 715 against al downing rest in peace hammering 🔨 hank

[@Bill_Woo]

Scared me. Hank is 86 though. My boyhood hero, next to Joe Torre.

[@chrisk6811]

Mr. Torre is my Hero too!

[@edb4955]

I always like to remind people that not only was he home run king for a long time - this guy is #3 on all time hits list. Only Pete and Ty ahead. Something like 3770 hits.

[@shackdaddy7106]

Just think if you would take away his homeruns he would still have over 3000 hits. Which is automatic Hall of Fame induction for people who didn’t take steroids.

[@edb4955]

@@shackdaddy7106 Very durable -hardly ever hurt. And a class act. Took a lot of abuse and stayed civil. RIP.

[@chillywillie6283]

Current Houston Astro’s manager Dusty Baker was on deck.

[@johnwright3815]

Class.

[@randyransio7870]

A home run for mankind. There should be a 2nd floor in the hall for players like Aaron, Mays, Clemente, Frank Robinson, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Johny Bench, Musial, Ted Williams.

[@tannerboyle9423]

RIP Hammer

[@MrMustangMan]

🔨

[@fenwayify]

...Like Bill Russell, great athlete, even more as a man.

[@shackdaddy7106]

If Hank Aaron and played in New York he would’ve been regarded as a greater player than Willie Mays. Willie Mays was great. He did everything in a flashy style. Hank Aaron, like Joe DiMaggio did not waste any motion and made it look so easy.

[@2scoop831]

R.I.P

[@stevehorn646]

He's dead?

[@ivophoto9075]

And not a bit of steroids! Like these new guys!

[@MrMustangMan]

🚫💉

[@johndalton3180]

Remember when he played himself on Happy Days, even though no effort was made to make him look 20 years younger.

[@WSenator1]

Yes, I remember his appearance on "Happy Days" I wish somebody would find that episode and put on KZbin.

[@jamescox8402]

Hank Aaron "never got kicked out of a game". I wish some of today's players had that much class. Easily the class act of all baseball.

[@jrpipik]

First one, Dave forgot they were going to do a bit after the interview -- he's new here!

[@tonywhite9139]

My people is the greatest

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

And I think the "post-interview" interview was equally cool.

[@tad1980]

please does anyone recognize the song that the band plays at the end of the clip?

[@davecampbell2820]

755 HR’s, 2297 RBI, and NEVER struck out 100 times in a season.

[@Shshshshshhshhs]

Do you have his interview with Marge Schott from 5/12/86?

[@dongiller]

Yes, but I can no longer share additional Dave-owned or -licensed content.

[@imc440]

Hey, why the hell wasn't he on Carson's show before this? The Tonight Show never bothered booking him throughout the entire 70's? I've gotta think he was a fairly big deal around oh, say 1974. I know he pissed off some racists, but damn. That's pretty bad by the Tonight Show.

[@whoreshoe]

Its a notoriously racist country.

[@MrMustangMan]

Johnny was racist....

[@tommydimopoulos6484]

Dave says Babe Ruth was not a unanimous selection for the HOF. He should have been more informed. Babe was enshrined in the first HOF class.

[@dongiller]

But it wasn’t unanimous.

[@pellajoe]

How can Hank Aaron not be a 100% unanimous vote for the HOF???

[@MrMustangMan]

28:00 hit me with a 100 mph ⚾and i'm gonna 😭like a little b!tch......

[@leegrabelsky2696]

As Great a person

[@PhilosophyINC]

Hank was never on Carson?

[@dongiller]

Maybe not. His name doesn’t show up in my TSwJC log. But the data may not be complete.

[@MrMustangMan]

nope

[@mindeloman]

Hank talked A LOT about trying hit against Kofax over the years. Kofax was hard to hit. He was also known to have the worst body language discipline. Most studied batters knew what was coming before the pitch. Hank said, "I never everything his was gonna throw before he threw it, and I still couldn't hit him." Kofax was not only tall but had long arms. He was a lefty and is release was really high. Throw in 10" at the pitcher's mound and some saw his pitchers were releasing at the 6 - 7 feet mark. That really throws a batter.