News
Figgins reflects on Hammer's impact
Angels catalyst learned about Aaron early on from parents
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
04/08/09 9:50 PM ET
ANAHEIM -- The autographed baseball can be found in the Figgins' home in Plant City, Fla. It will be passed down through generations, but right now it's in the strong, firm hands of Eva Figgins, whose son, Chone, plays third base for the Angels and is keenly aware of the historical significance of April 8. It was 35 years ago that Henry Aaron, playing for the Atlanta Braves, brought elation to the lives of Figgins' parents and countless others when he eclipsed Babe Ruth with career home run No. 715 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium against the Dodgers' Al Downing. "Oh, yeah, my mom loves that baseball," Figgins said on Wednesday night before his Angels were to engage the Athletics at Angel Stadium. "It means the world to her." The game is in Figgins' blood. Both his parents were athletes, Eva a skilled softball player who follows MLB intently on its television network and its Web site. "You'd be amazed by what she remembers," Figgins said, grinning. "She knows her baseball." Chone hadn't yet arrived when Aaron had his record-breaking night, lifting a Downing delivery over the wall in left-center. But young Chone heard all about it growing up. "My parents were big Braves fans in Georgia, so you know what that was like for them," Figgins said. "That's why I'm so happy that she has the ball I got him to autograph for me. "It was at the 2002 World Series in San Francisco. He was coming out to the field with the All-Century Team. I grabbed a ball and went to him and said, 'I'm Chone Figgins, and I'd like you to sign this.' He took it and signed, wished me luck, and went up through the dugout and on to the field. "I'll never forget that. I mean, come on, meeting Hank Aaron. What could be better than that?" Figgins knew Aaron's story, the whole story, by the time he was school age. When he wasn't hearing tales from his parents, he was at his grandparents' home, and they shared with him stories of the Old South that left an indelible impression. "It gave me chills, hearing what they went through," Figgins said. "That was a different world." Gaining an understanding of what it was like for earlier generations of African-Americans in that part of the country infused Figgins with a profound understanding of the depth of Aaron's accomplishment. "It was monumental," Figgins said. "It's not even about baseball, really. It's about the struggle, overcoming obstacles, persevering. My family talks about it to this day, how meaningful it was. I mean, how did he do that, go through all that to reach that record? It's incredible how strong that man had to be. "This is something we all should honor. It doesn't matter what color you are. It's about people coming together and enjoying life, not dwelling on hardships but pushing ahead. It's an inspiration to me in so many ways. I feel blessed to come from where I did, from strong people like my parents and their parents. "Knowing what Hank Aaron meant to all of them, and getting to meet him and get that baseball signed ... it's really amazing. I'm very happy my mom has that ball and is able to hold it whenever she wants. She's my backbone. My dad gave me life experience, but my mom is my backbone."Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
