The Atlanta Braves announced a new fellowship program in honor of baseball legend Henry Aaron, aimed at boosting diversity in the sport and building “on the legacy of trailblazers like Hank Aaron.”
Aaron, also widely known as “Hammerin’ Hank,” died on January 22. He was 86.
Following his death, more than 1,800 people (as of Friday, February 5) signed an online petition to rename the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Hammers, as a nod to Aaron’s famous nickname. Other petitions that circulated advocated for renaming Truist Park in Aaron’s honor.
The Henry Aaron Fellowship establishes an executive leadership program lasting a year, providing the opportunity to work in business operations at the Atlanta Braves front office, according to an MLB press release. The program is slated to begin this season.
“Hank’s life-long passion was to increase diversity across every aspect of baseball,” Derek Schiller, Atlanta Braves President and CEO, said in the release. “This fellowship is special because it allows us to build upon his legacy by creating a stronger organization today while continuing to develop the talent pipeline to secure the game's next generation of diverse leadership.”
The selected fellow will also work with the Atlanta Braves Foundation and will have a hand in planning the 2021 All-Star Game at Truist Park, according to the MLB.
Aaron served as Vice President and Director of Player Development in the Braves front office beginning in 1976, following his career as a player.
Learn more or apply for the Henry Aaron Fellowship here.
Photo: Getty Images