Hank Aaron was born on February 5th, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama. In 1952 he joined the Negro Leagues as a shortstop for the Indianapolis Clowns, then later that year signed with the Boston Braves for $350 per month and reported to the Braves minor league team in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1954 he played against Jackie Robinson in an exhibition game in Mobile, was moved up to the Major Leagues as an outfielder after Bobby Thompson broke his ankle in spring training, and on April 23rd hit his first Major League home run as a Milwaukee Braves player. In 1956 he won the National League batting title with 200 hits, 26 home runs, and a .328 average. In 1957 the Milwaukee Braves won the National League pennant with Aaron's 11th inning home run and then defeated the New York Yankees four games to three to win the World Series, and Aaron was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player award.