MLB outfielder Bobby Thomson of the Atlanta Braves broke his ankle during Spring Training in 1954. His injury would bring legendary right fielder, Hank Aaron on to the scene.

Thomson was best known for winning the NL pennant with the Giants during the 1951 season. He was eventually traded to the Braves following the 1953 season. After his injury, he didn’t see the field again until mid-July and struggled in the batter’s box, hitting .232.

Aaron made his first MLB debut in April of 1954, but went hit-less against the Cincinatti Reds. By the end of his first season, he hit .280 with 69 RBIs and 13 home runs, finishing 4th in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He would eventually pick it up, becoming the first player with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. He ended his career with 3,771 hits, 2,297 RBIs and a .305 batting average. He also retired with a record 755 home runs before Barry Bonds broke the record 3 decades later.

In 1982, Aaron was inducted into the Hall of Fame, receiving 97% of the ballot.