Original Type I photograph capturing Hank Aaron at spring training during his 1954 rookie season. This is one of, if not the earliest photo of Aaron as a Major League player, which was taken on March 4, 1954 and published the next day in the March 5, 1954, issue of the Milwaukee Journal. Aaron is pictured kneeling on the field alongside three other African American players on the roster that spring: Jim Pendleton, Charlie White, and Bill Bruton. The date stamp, "1954 Mar 4" appears on the reverse, together with an affixed partial Milwaukee Journal newspaper clipping (taken from the article that featured this photo), which is date stamped "Mar 5 1954." Several editorial pencil notations are also featured on the reverse, along with a pink label reading "Return To Library."

Aaron received his big break that spring when starting right fielder Bobby Thomson fractured his ankle while sliding on the basepath. Aaron was given the opportunity to fill the starting role and on March 14th he was penciled into the club's staring lineup for an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox. Aaron wasted no time in making the most of that opportunity, collecting three hits, including a home run. In an apocryphal story from the time, Ted Williams, who was in the Red Sox clubhouse during the game, rushed to the field when Aaron connected on his home run because he wanted to see the player who could generate such a sound upon contact with the ball. Aaron did earn the starting job that spring and the rest, as they says, is history. The photo (10x8") displays light editorial outlining to the player images and very light crazing. Encapsulated by PSA as Type I Authentic and accompanied by a full LOA from PSA.