In 1963 the Braves moved their Spring Training to the present location, West Palm Beach Florida. Other changes included Joe Adcock and Lew Burdette being traded. Del Crandell also spent most of the year on the bench.

    In 1963 Aaron had a horrible spring training. But a horrible spring training did not bother Aaron and when the season started he was once again his old self. He hit his 300th home run on April 19, 1963. On April 22, Aaron drove in his one thousandth RBI with his 302nd home run. 302 home runs put him tied for 19th on the all time home run list. Aaron hit his 8th and ninth career grand slams that year also. He missed the triple crown by a mere seven points in his batting average.

    At the end of the season, Aaron had 130 RBI's, 44 home runs, and a .318 batting average. He also had 31 stolen bases. Aaron and Spahn enjoyed great years, but the Braves as a whole did not. They finished sixth and drew less than eight hundred thousand through the gates.

    Mathews had a bad year, but between Aaron and himself they were closing in on one of the most interesting records. The record for two teammates' home run total. The National League record was 745, but the two were really chasing the all-time greatest pair, Ruth and Gehrig. At season's end Aaron and Mathews had 692.

    In ten years Aaron had seven hundred forty extra base hits. This was 134 more than Mantle.

    In 1963 rumors started floating that the Braves would move out of Milwaukee and into Atlanta. In the spring of 1964 Atlanta announced plans to build a stadium since they already had a commitment from a major league team. With the attendance figures in Milwaukee falling fans and officials of baseball knew it would not be long before the Braves would be moving. But in the year ahead the attendance figures in Milwaukee actually increased in an effort to keep the Braves. At the end of 1964 season the Braves applied for permission to move from the league offices. It would have been approved except Milwaukee got a court order for the Braves to honor their contract. So at the end of the 1965 season the Braves would be leaving.

    In 1964 Aaron, Spahn, and Mathews were the only ones left from the old Milwaukee 'Glory Days'. In the spring Aaron roomed with a young prospect named Rico Carty at Aaron's request. Carty was a Dominican native.

    By the end of 1964 Aaron and Mathews had 739 combined home runs. They were six short of the National League record. On July 12, Aaron hit his two thousandth hit. At the end of the year the great pitcher, Spahn was traded. Now only Aaron and Mathews remained from the 'old' days.

    In 1965 Aaron's ankle still had not healed from an injury sustained the year before. On March 17 he submitted to an operation. Aaron missed the rest of spring training and the first three weeks of the regular season. With him gone the Braves got off to a horrible start. On April 27 Aaron returned to the starting lineup.

    On May 2 Aaron and Mathews broke the record for teammates combined home runs. Aaron hit a home run off Bo Belinsky of the Phillies to break the record. Now they were just out there to hit home runs since very few, including the two, thought that the Ruth and Gehrig total was out of this world. Actually the two Yankee greats only hit 793 combined at the same time. Aaron's 27th home run tied Aaron and Mathews with the Yankee greats. The home run went basically unnoticed. Then Mathews hit a home run three days later to break the record. It all went unnoticed until Bob Wolf decided to check the actual total of the Yankee pair.

    The year was filled with ups and downs. The team would win a lot then lose a lot. At one time they were in first place for two days then dropped eight of ten to fall back out. Then the Braves said forget this and lost 14 of the last 21 games, leaving them in fifth place. Aaron finished the year with a .318 batting average, 32 home runs, and 89 RBI's. The year's home run total added to his previous home runs gave Aaron 398 home runs and exactly 100 for the three previous seasons. That year the Braves drew a record low 556,000. The ones that stayed away missed quit a lot of home runs.

    The Aaron family decided to move back to the South as the team moved south. The desperately wanted to stay in Milwaukee, but since they could have their children with them all year it was worth it. See, Larry could not stand the cold Milwaukee winters.

    In Atlanta Aaron got his brother-in-law a job in the front office of the Atlanta Braves. He was hired as the club's assistant public relation's director. He was later promoted to assistant farm director.

    In 1966 Aaron would collect over seventy five thousand dollars. He had a normal spring training then they went to Atlanta to play. The opener they lost in thirteen innings to the Pirates on April 12, 1966. For the first two games in Atlanta Aaron went one for ten. But eventually Aaron would come out of this little slump like he did all the others. He connected with a Ray Culp fast ball to send it to the left-field stands. That was the 399th of his career. Later the same day Aaron connected again but on a Bo Belinsky fast ball. Aaron became the eleventh player to reach 400 home runs.

    Sandy Koufax said, "He's the toughest in the league. Just Bad Henry. There's no way you can pitch him when he's hot." After the 400th home run Aaron began hitting home runs almost nightly.

    Even as Aaron was hot, the team was not. Eventually Bragan was replaced by Billy Hitchcock as manager. He put Mathews back in at third, since Bragan had put him on the bench. Then Hitchcock molded a simple lineup and let them do their job. The team caught fire faster than a California wildfire. Aaron had hurt his leg but continued to play the rest of the year.

    Aaron had 44 home runs the entire year. He also had 127 RBI's, and .279 average. Even with a low average it was one of the better years for 'Bad Henry.' At the end of the year his lifetime home run total was 442, tenth place on the all time list. He also came to bat 603 times, a National League record.

    Aaron started the 1967 season with a contract for two years, one hundred thousand each. The last link of Milwaukee's 'Glory Days' to Aaron was traded to Houston during the winter between the 66 season and the 67 season. Aaron's reaction was, "I'll miss him. He's a great guy and a great friend and was always a wonderful teammate."

    Aaron started Spring Training with great hitting. But Opening Day was against Houston and an old friend, Mathews. Thanks to him the Braves lost the first three games. Then they had ups and downs the rest of the year. The Braves never really got rolling that year. But Aaron got a running start out of the gate.

    By mid-May, Aaron was leading in numerous batting categories. Then Aaron went into a mini-slump only to pull out of it with a bang. A home run and a single was all he needed to be brought out. Another milestone for Aaron was passed on June 12. Aaron got his 2,500th hit. On June 17 he passed another milestone, a single off Larry Dierker gave Aaron 4471 total career bases, sixth on the all time list in the National League. In the same game he passed Mathews for runs scored on the Braves team. On June 27 Aaron hit his eleventh grand slam of his career, breaking the tie with Ernie Banks for active players.

    At the All-Star game Aaron had two two-run home run and two singles. After the All-Star game the Braves decided to start playing a little harder. But then while playing against the Cardinals they lost a double header and they never recovered. On July 31 Aaron hit a home run off Curt Simmons for the 27th of the year, 469th of his career. More important to the home run was that it was his 1,500 career RBI. This prompted a quote from an observer, "It seems every time Henry Aaron swings his bat he breaks a record."

    The next day when he came to the plate he broke a record for showing up. It was his 8,050 official at bat, passing Mathews to become the all-time Braves leader. On September 3rd he did it again. He passed Musial and into ninth place all the all time home run list with 476 home runs.

    Even with all the production from Aaron the Braves finished in seventh place, four games under .500. But Aaron had plenty to be happy about. He won another home run batting championship with 39 home runs. Aaron was tied with Lou Brock in runs scored, 113. Aaron also had 37 doubles, second that year. The home runs put his career total at 481. Aaron finished third in RBI's only two behind the leader. Aaron was also fifth in hits and eighth in batting. Aaron batted .307. The records for Aaron in the single season of '67 included 2000th game, 1600th single, 1500th run, 1000th extra base hits, 4500th total bases, 2600th hit, and 1500th RBI.

    Atlanta had its own nickname for Aaron, King Henry. With Aaron as the only big name no one had a chance to take a spotlight away from him. For his efforts in '67 he was named the Braves most valuable player for the sixth time.

    In 1968 Aaron was again his normal self. Quiet and unassuming he went about his business. Even Rose was giving Aaron credit. "Aaron did it with his fielding. He's always doing it some way. What a pro he is!" Rose was referring to the opening game of the season when Aaron made a play that prevented the Reds from scoring.

    In 1968 Henry Aaron's brother, Tommie, re-joined the Braves. The two of them even won one game against the Reds. Even a short slump by Aaron could not stop him for long. A slump by Aaron meant soon he would come out with a bang. And with a bang he did come out of it. With home runs and hits off every pitcher up there he could not be stopped.

    Later in the year Aaron went into a short slump. He removed himself from the slump like he always had, with a bang. He broke out with two home runs off Claude Osteen of the Dodgers and four RBI's that day. Another short slump that year brought his average down a little. His slump became so bad that Aaron asked to be rested. He rested for four days and when he came back he was hot. Coming out of that slump he hit a home run that tied him with Lou Gehrig with 493 home runs. His next one put him eighth on the all time home run list.

    Aaron's five hundredth home run was off Mike McCormick, a southpaw and a Cy Young award winner. After almost an hour rain delay Aaron came to bat. McCormick threw a belt high fastball, a hitter's dream pitch. Aaron did not miss it and with a flick of the wrists and the hit the ball went over four hundred feet. After the home run Bill Bartholomay presented a trophy with the number 500 in gold on top celebrating the historic home run. The other players who had reached 500 were either still playing or in the Hall of Fame.

    "I'm glad I hit it off a Cy Young winner. It feels better when you hit one off a great pitcher like that," Henry Aaron said after the game of his 500th home run.

    In 1968 Aaron's average was .287, respectable but not great. He also had 29 home runs and 86 RBI's, a little below normal for him. He went to bat over 600 times, extending that record to 10 times.

    In 1969 Aaron started thinking about retirement, but one baseball writer named Lee Allen started talking about the accomplishments that Aaron could achieve in the next few years if he continued to play. Records like the three thousandth hit and beyond. A record like maybe the all time home run hitter. Aaron thought that the chance to make history for his race and baseball was a good thing. So Lee Allen was the one that stopped Aaron's retirement.

    Going into the 69 season Aaron had a lifetime average of .314 that was highest among all the active players. But slowing him down were the bone chips and calcium deposits in his back, not the shift the other teams would put on Aaron.

    Aaron was once again picked to the All-Star team. About that time the Greatest Living Player and Greatest Living Team was named. The Greatest Living Player was Joe DiMaggio. The Greatest Living Team was without Aaron or Willie Mays. Aaron was upset at being left off but did not raise any objections.

    After the All Star break the Braves and Aaron were enjoying a tight pennant race after years of being in the baseball cellar. Of course this was the first year of divisional playoffs so they had to play extra games to get to the World Series. The Cubs were expected to win but down the stretch the Mets came like a shooting star. These Mets became known as the "Miracle Mets".

    The Braves meanwhile were not even in first place until late in the season. They ended up winning, but Aaron never believed they were going to be able to win the National League. He thought the team had a bad attitude towards the upcoming playoffs. The Mets ended up sweeping the Braves in the playoffs.

    In 1969 Aaron's stats were good. A career tying record of forty four home runs that Aaron hit in 69. Aaron had 164 hits for a .300 batting average. Aaron also played in 147 games. Aaron hit 30 doubles and three triples.

    In 1970 Aaron reached a new level of play in baseball. He moved into beyond elite status when he hit his three thousandth hit. At that time only eight players had reached 3000. DiMaggio, Ruth, and Mantle had not even got that far. He was now beyond those players. He even got a little recognition on the national level when he was put on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Aaron made the memorable hit in one of his favorite parks, Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

    The Braves had an awful year in 70. They went from first to fifth while Niekro had a bad year and Aaron had several injuries. Aaron had to have his knee drained half a dozen times after an injury sliding into home plate.

    With the bad times Aaron and Barbara grew farther apart. Aaron would spend more and more time at the ballpark and Barbara did not like that. Aaron would get away as much as he could. About that time was when the Aarons filed for divorce. They settled quietly in February 1971. Aaron moved into the Landmark Apartments in downtown Atlanta, but he spent a lot of time over at the old house since Barbara had custody of the kids. After the divorce Aaron grew very sad and depressed.

    In 1971 Aaron hit his 600th home run. But on that day the Braves lost because Willie Mays drove in the winning run. Aaron was beginning to wonder if he would ever get out of that man's shadow. But soon everyone realized Mays was not going to be able to mount a serious attack. He was growing old and the home runs were coming less frequently. Aaron. meanwhile, was still hitting home runs at a rapid pace.

    At the end of the 1971 season Aaron's brother Tommie was sent back to the minors, never to return to the majors. This only heightened Aaron's feeling of loneliness. His friends were hurt, and one friend was even beat in Atlanta by three policemen. Also making his feeling worse was the large contract he had signed with the Braves making him the first ever to get two hundred thousand dollars in a year.

    Aaron was once again in the All Star game. What made this one so memorable was that it was his first All Star home run. The home run was off Vida Blue in Detroit. This gave Aaron a very special feeling he will not ever forget.

    In 1971 Aaron had a great season. Aaron had a career high forty-seven home runs. He also hit .327 batting average and 118 RBI's. Aaron did this in less than five hundred at bats. There was no doubt Aaron would reach Ruth soon.

    Aaron hit home run number 647 in 72. That moved him second on the all time list in front of Mays, behind Ruth. Also that same home run was a grand slam that put him first on the all time list. Later his friend McCovey broke it. Also later in the year Aaron hit 660. This set a mark for most home runs by a player on the same team.

    In 1972 Aaron once again went to the All Star game. This time it was held in Atlanta. He hit his second home run in All Star games. Then the manager put Aaron in right field, then later substituted for him. The home crowd gave Aaron one of the longest and loudest ovations that had been heard in Atlanta.

    In 72 Aaron also broke Musial's all time total base record. As the records and home runs were piling up the Braves even gave Aaron his own personal secretary. This person was to help with scheduling the interviews and with answering the mail. One day LeRoy Neiman even painted his portrait in the clubhouse.

    By the end of the 72 season Aaron was feeling better. He had been reunited with Eddie Mathews, now manager of the Atlanta Braves. He also started feeling better when he met Billye Williams, hostess of "Today in Georgia". Before being the hostess of the show she had gone to college and for a while had even been an English teacher.

     In 1972 Aaron hit thirty four home runs leaving him forty one shy of a tie, forty two shy of the record. By the end of the season he started getting the hate mail. More and more started showing up including death threats. This was driving Aaron more than anything along with recognition he felt that he deserved. Also pushing Aaron was the fact that Jackie Robinson died in 1972.
 
 

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