715: Reflections on Hammerin' Hank and the Home Run That Made History

Description

Hank Aaron forever cemented his legacy in baseball when he surpassed the Babe's home run record, but his impact reaches far beyond the diamond. 715, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron's legendary 715th home run (April 2014), is a tribute to Hank Aaron that features a collection of quotes, statements, and short stories from people whose lives he touched. 715 features over 100 interviews from Hall of Famers, teammates, former and current players, Baseball Commissioners, celebrities, Senators, Governors, Mayors, Supreme Court Justices, and two US presidents (Carter & Clinton). There are also contributions from the Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King families, as well as Reverend Jesse Jackson, emphasizing the social impact of Henry Aaron and explaining how he dealt with the constant racism he faced, which included death threats, as he approached the record. Henry Aaron, whom many believe continues to reign as the true "Home Run King," more importantly, reigns as one of baseball's most socially influential players, not running from the questions of race. 715 also includes a forward by Monte Irvin, the oldest living member of the Negro Leagues and fellow Hall of Famer member, which highlights Hank Aaron's importance to African American athletes, specifically, and to baseball in general. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports-books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Kevin Neary has been a fan of the game his entire life. He worked with the Philadelphia Phillies for nine years. For the past twenty years he has worked for the Walt Disney Company, where he has written five books and has participated in over five hundred radio, television, and print interviews. 715 is his first book for Sports Publishing. He is the author of Major League Dads and Closer. He currently lives in Celebration, Florida. Monte Irvin is the oldest living member of the Negro Leagues and a Hall of Fame member. He was one of the first players to be signed by Major League Baseball after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, playing for the Newark Eagles and New York Giants, respectively. He remains very active in the baseball community and currently lives in Houston, Texas.