Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron eyes the flight of the ball after hitting his 715th career homer in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta, Ga., in this April 8, 1974 file photo. Dodgers pitcher Al Downing, catcher Joe Ferguson and umpire David Davidson look on.

Former Atlanta Braves player Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth but went on to break the career home run record in the pre-steroids era, died early Friday, Jan. 22. He was 86. The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was given.

Aaron, who batted and threw right-handed, had his Major League Baseball debut in April 1954 for the Milwaukee Braves, according to baseballreference.com.

His last MLB appearance was Oct. 3, 1976, for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Aaron hit 755 home runs and was in 25 straight All Star games.

According to the reference, Aaron was a longtime fan of the Cleveland Browns, having attended many games in disguise in their “Dog Pound” seating section.