Aaron, who is closing in on Babe Ruth's career home run record of 714, is getting a steady stream of hate mail--60 percent of it on the adverse side.

"If I was white, all America would be proud of me," Aaron said. "But I am black. There are some sick people in this world. Or else I wouldn't get the mail I do. These are sick people who thrive on trying to make other people miserable."

"I can't do anything about the mail," said Aaron. "I'd say that the ratio is 60-40, that 60 percent of it is of a racist nature. It's very offensive. They call me 'nigger' and every other bad word you can come up with."

The Braves have a full-time secretary in charge of Aaron's mail, which is increasing as he gets closer to the record. And Hank reads it all.

But why read such letters and postcards?

"That's a good question," he said. "I don't know why. Except I always have, from the very start of my career. You get a piece of mail and you have to read it. I want to look at my own mail. I want to read what people are writing ... what they think."

Aaron doesn't like the slurs he receives through the mail, but they won't deter him from his quest for the Babe's record.