Hank Aaron’s Eulogy Virtues
Baseball was a very significant part of my life growing up, both as a player and spectator. Spending much of my childhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there was never a doubt that Hank Aaron was my favorite player. This week I was reminded of just how much I admired “Hammering Hank” by the deep sadness I felt when I heard that he had died in his sleep at the age of 86.
And when I watched parts of both his memorial and funeral services, I found myself shedding a few tears as I listened to the moving eulogies given by his family and friends.
As I watched and listened, not only was I reminded of why I always loved Hank Aaron, but I was also reminded of something I heard years ago about the difference between eulogy virtues and resume virtues. Resume virtues are the skills and attributes that are valued by the ego. They are important, but in and of themselves provide a short-lived sense of satisfaction. On the other hand, eulogy virtues are what the soul pursues and what, in the end, matter most. They are made during a lifetime of making good decisions and prioritizing a life based on values and character. Resume virtues help us make a living, while eulogy virtues help us make a life.
The term eulogy virtue reflects the kinds of things that are said about a person when they have passed away. Rarely does one hear resume virtues referred to in a service of remembrance. That truth was quite apparent this week because if anyone had impressive resume values, it was Hank Aaron. And yet, each time a person rose to speak about his life, it was his character, generosity, grace, determination, commitment to young people, his community, and his country, and his philanthropy that was lifted up and celebrated. It turns out it is his eulogy virtues that are what people remembered and valued most about him. Many of the speakers reminded us of the horrible racism that Aaron endured, including multiple death threats as he closed in on breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record. The character he demonstrated in the face of these horrific challenges was mentioned by many of the speakers as well.
I am immensely grateful for how Hank Aaron modeled for us what is most important in life. While none of us has the capacity to match his Hall of Fame resume virtues, we all have the ability to model our lives around his eulogy virtues.
I will close with just a few excerpts of the many eulogies that were given at his services. You will find the links to these services below, and I encourage you to watch and listen for yourself.
His grandson, Raynal Aaron, shared two of the memorable things that his grandfather said to him:
"My wife Billye and I give a lot, but that's what we're here to do. I just feel like nothing that we have belongs to us, it was given to us by God, and when we leave here, I don't know of anybody who will go with a casket full of money. So why not let somebody else enjoy what we've been fortunate enough to accumulate?
"I'm not concerned about how I am perceived as a baseball player. I am concerned about how I am thought of as a human being.”
Allan Tanenbaum, Aaron’s longtime friend, who serves as Hank Aaron’s Chasing the Dream Foundation’s attorney, was proud to introduce the attendees to Quianna Lewis, who first received funding from Aaron when she expressed interest in playing the harp while in middle school. She received more assistance to allow her to attend Fisk University, where she earned a psychology/pre-med degree. She has since received a master's degree from Yale University and is currently working on her doctorate in adolescent health at Johns Hopkins University, none of which could have been possible without his initial gift.
“History will remember Mr. Aaron as a record-breaking athlete, but I will always remember him as the man who opened countless doors for me and others to chase our dreams,” Quianna Lewis said.
“While Mr. Aaron will be remembered for all the home runs he has hit, his true legacy is seen in the lives he has changed for the better,” Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and Dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine, a beneficiary of a $3 million dollar gift from Aaron, in honor of his wife Billye Suber Aaron.
“God gave him the talent, and he used that talent to become the greatest baseball player of all time. But, more importantly, he used it to make our city, our country and the world a better place. For those who were blessed enough to know Hank, he left a lifetime of impact with every encounter. His life made you want to better your own.” Freddie Freeman, current Atlanta Braves player..
“You meant more to me than anybody in my whole life. I want to thank you for giving me love and discipline. Sometimes, you had to tell me like it was. But I really appreciate you helping me be the man that I am.” Dusty Baker, a former teammate who was on deck when Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record in 1974.
“I’ll never understand how he did it and how he carried himself with such grace and dignity, but I’ll always be thankful for the chance to rub shoulders with Hank Aaron. I felt something different when I was in his presence. I’ve been around a lot of ballplayers who have achieved a lot of records. But there was something special about Hank. Hank was the epitome of how we all should be as human beings.” Dale Murphy, also a former teammate of Aaron’s on the Atlanta Braves.
Here are the links to Aaron’s services:
https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/hank-aaron-funeral-service
https://www.mlb.com/news/hank-aaron-memorial-service
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