The sports world mourns the loss of legendary baseball icon Hank Aaron

Hammerin’ Hank was 86 years old.

Hall of Famer and baseball icon Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron has passed away at the age of 86.

The Atlanta Braves said he died peacefully in his sleep Friday morning.

The Braves legend and one time home run king was an indelible figure in baseball, most well-known for hitting his 715th home run on April 8, 1974  and beating Babe Ruth’s long held record of 714.  On his quest to break the record, Aaron battled racism and hatred, receiving countless death threats. He endured racial taunts and, according to reports, received 930,000 pieces hate mail.

Aaron, born Feb. 5, 1934, became the first Black player for the National League’s then Milwaukee Braves in 1954. He stayed with the Braves organization for much of his career including a World Series title in 1957. He was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

There’s more to Aaron’s life than can be summed up here, too many moments and reflections that will come out over the next days and weeks and years. As happens when icons pass away, people tried to process their grief over Aaron’s death on social media.

Many shared remembrances, favorite moments, quotes and stories. Here’s an incomplete but moving list.