**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
06.07.21
Hank Aaron Sports Academy to host its first youth baseball camp June 18, 2021.
RALPH GARR SUMMER CAMP AT HANK AARON SPORTS ACADEMY Perhaps the closest teammate to Hank Aaron in his AtlantaBraves days who not only hit in front of Aaron in the lineup for the better part of 7 years, shared the field the dugout and over 50 years of memories with Henry Aaron and was in fact on 2nd base when he tied Babe Ruth’s record homerun 714 and was in the dugout when 715 was hit, will now be joining Henry Aaron once again as the namesake for the summer camp – Ralph Garr Summer Camp at the Hank Aaron Sports Academy, in Jackson, MS. Ralph Garr is a member of the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame, was selected to play in the all-star game in 1974 and won the NL batting title in that same year for which he credits Hank Aaron, - “Give him the credit for me winning the batting title, pitchers were so worried about him that they didn’t pay much attention to me”– Ralph Garr.
Garr was born in Monroe, Louisiana and played his college ball at HBCU Grambling State University, a member of the SWAC before being drafted in the 3rd round of the 1967 draft by the Atlanta Braves. Garr continues to scout players as a member of the Braves staff, a position for which he was hired by none other than Henry Aaron. “I just want to help carry the legacy for my friend Henry, he did so much for me that it is just an honor to be a part of making sure he is never forgotten and always remembered for how much did for the game, but his desire to make sure every kid, no matter their walk in life would get thatsame opportunity to play this game”. Ralph Garr
The inaugural Ralph Garr summer camp will take place on Friday, June 18th and is free to all who attend. Representatives and instructors include NCAA Hall of Fame coach Robert “Bob” Braddy, former Braves pitching coordinator Kent Willis, Tougaloo College head coach and former JSU baseball alumni Earl Sanders, Clint Johnson former Mississippi Valley State University Head Coach Doug Shanks and Moisis Rodriguez just to name a few of the camp coordinators. Ralph Garr will also be in attendance. The Hank Aaron Sports Academy was established in Jackson, Mississippi in 2021 fulfilling the desire of Henry “Hank” Aaron to make the game of baseball available to all youth with a focus on underprivileged and minorities while keeping alive the memory and legacy of the greatest player of our generation and arguably of all time.
““I just want to help carry the legacy for my friend Henry, he did so much for me that it is just an honor to be a part of making sure he is never forgotten and always remembered for how much did for the game, but his desire to make sure every kid, no matter their walk in life would get that same opportunity to play this game”. - RALPH GARR
Parking available via the second entrance at Smith Wills Stadium and between Michael D. Johnson field and Smith Wills Stadium.
For more information, visit www.hankaaronsports.com
or email info@hankaaronsports.com
Carrying the legacy of the most prolific baseball player in our generation to all deserving youth.