Hank Aaron headlines Negro Leagues Baseball Museum gala Saturday at Bartle Hall

Former home-run king Hank Aaron will be a special guest Saturday at Silver Slugging Memories, a gala in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Aaron, who was recognized at the 2015 All-Star Game as one of the four greatest living players, and several other notable players will swap baseball stories at 6 p.m. Saturday in Bartle Hall’s Grand Ballroom.

“Hank Aaron is one of the most important figures, not in just baseball history, but in sports and American history,” Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick said. “His baseball credentials speak loudly and proudly for themselves and, in many ways, helps validate the talent that was in the Negro Leagues. Couple his magnificent baseball career with his success as a businessman and humanitarian, and it propels him to another level of greatness. We’re honored that he will be part of our celebration.”

Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home-run record in 1974 and his 755 career blast stood as the most in big-league history until 2007, when Barry Bonds eclipsed “The Hammer.”

Aaron — a Mobile, Ala., native, whose career started with the Negro Leagues’ Indianapolis Clowns in 1952 — still has the major-league records for RBIs (2,297), extra-base hits (1,477) and total bases.

The Boston Braves signed Aaron, who ranks third all-time with 3,771 hits and claims a record 25 All-Star Game appearances, in 1952 and he made his debut with the franchise two years later after relocating to Milwaukee.

Fellow Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins and former Royals All-Stars Amos Otis and Willie Wilson also will take part in the gala along with Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Lee Smith, J.R. Richard, George Altman and Joe Carter.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was founded in a tiny one-room office in the 18th & Vine Jazz District by the late Buck O’Neil.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Museum as well as the development of the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center.

“This is a rare opportunity to pause and reflect on what has been an amazing journey for a little museum that few gave any chance of succeeding when we established in 1990,” Kendrick said. “Here we stand today, 25 years later, recognized as America’s National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.”

The Silver Slugging Memories gala will include remembrances of Ernie Banks and Minnie Minoso and a 104th birthday party for O’Neil, featuring a concert by Morris Day and The Time.

The Chicago White Sox, who have been a longtime financial supporter and once brought the entire team for a tour, and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) also will receive the Buck O’Neil Legacy Award for their support of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

As mayor of Kansas City, Mo., Cleaver helped get the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum included in the Museums at 18th & Vine complex.

As a U.S. congressman, Cleaver was instrumental in securing a national designation that declares the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as the nation’s official museum.

For tickets or sponsorship information to the event, go to www.nlbm.com or call the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum at 816-221-1920.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Hank Aaron headlines Negro Leagues Baseball Museum gala Saturday at Bartle Hall."