Tonight during the 2021 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby you may have asked yourself, “Why are all the players wearing the number 44?”
The answer is it’s being done in tribute of Hank Aaron, one of the greatest home run hitters of all time. Aaron, who died earlier this year, wore the number 44 during all but one of his Major League seasons with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers.
The statement from Major League Baseball:
The world lost the great Henry “Hank” Aaron upon his passing in January 2021, but his inspirational life and legacy will be celebrated at Coors Field during All-Star Week on Monday, July 12th and Tuesday, July 13th. Aaron’s wife, Billye, and other members of the Aaron family will attend Gatorade All-Star Workout Day (Monday) and the 91st MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard (Tuesday) as the Baseball Family honors one of the game’s all-time greats. Today during Workout Day, including the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, all MLB players will wear uniform #44 in honour of Aaron, who retired as the MLB career home run leader.
Major League Baseball
Aaron hit 755 home runs during his 23-season Major League career surpassing the 714 hit by Babe Ruth earning him the title of baseball’s all-time home run king until Barry Bonds surpassed Aaron in 2007.