Hank Aaron Tweets Heartfelt Tribute to Deceased Braves Owner Bill Bartholomay
By Brendan Balsamo
Braves country is in mourning on Thursday after it was announced that longtime team owner Bill Bartholomay passed away at the age of 91.
The most iconic Atlanta Brave, Hank Aaron, who played for the Braves organization for 21 years, obviously had a very good relationship with Bartholomay, and released a heartfelt statement on Twitter in his honor.
Bill Bartholomay was the greatest owner I ever had the pleasure to play for. He understood the game of baseball more than so many others. I’ve known him for a longtime and he’s helped me in more ways than you can imagine. I will surely miss my friend.
— Hank Aaron (@HenryLouisAaron) March 26, 2020
Aaron and Bartholomay's career paths crossed in Milwaukee and Atlanta for 11 years with the Braves, as both were integral pieces of the franchise's storied history. Aaron has the second-most home runs in MLB history and is the most famous Atlanta Brave to ever live, and Bartholomay was responsible for moving the team from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966.
Bartholomay bought the team in 1964 and sold it to Ted Turner in 1976, but remained on the board of directors until 2003. An inductee into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2002, he failed to miss an Opening Day since his acquisition of the team.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 26, 2020
Aaron and Bartholomay evidently were close, and it's heartbreaking to see Aaron say, "I will surely miss my friend." His passing will without question be felt all throughout Braves country.