Breaking-News: Braves & MLB Just Shut Down the Streets of Atlanta As They Celebrate Hank Aaron with All-Star 4.4 Miler and Tribute Mural in Summerhill

Braves and MLB Celebrate Hank Aaron with All-Star 4.4 Miler and Tribute Mural in Summerhill

Sunday marked another memorable event in the lineup of celebrations for the 2025 All-Star Week, as the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball teamed up to honor one of baseball’s greatest legends—Hank Aaron.

The All-Star 4.4 Miler, a 4.4-mile race commemorating Aaron’s legacy and iconic No. 44 jersey, took place at Center Parc Stadium, formerly Turner Field, and once home to the Braves. The route kicked off outside the stadium, looped around Grant Park via Georgia Ave. SE, and returned to the stadium—finishing at the base of Aaron’s statue.

The race drew thousands of runners, braving the intense Atlanta heat to participate. Afterward, MLB and the Braves unveiled a vibrant mural dedicated to Aaron, Atlanta’s heritage, and the Summerhill neighborhood, the Braves’ former stomping grounds.

“This was such an incredible morning,” said April Brown, MLB’s senior vice president of social responsibility. “Being at the old stadium, seeing so many community members come out—it really meant something. The energy was amazing.”

Brown said the decision to host the race at Center Parc was a deliberate tribute, given its proximity to the old Fulton County Stadium, where Aaron famously hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth’s record.

“We wanted this event to touch all parts of Atlanta,” Brown said. “And starting and ending a race in Hank’s honor right by his statue? That made perfect sense.”

Despite the sweltering conditions, the crowd showed up in full force. Among the standout participants was Maria Kedge of Warner Robins, Ga., who clocked in at 27:46 to become the top female finisher—earning herself two tickets to the All-Star Game.

“I’m thrilled,” Kedge said. “We came here hoping to win tickets, and it’s just so exciting that it actually happened!”

Former MLB stars including Kenny Lofton and Adam Jones were on hand to present awards to top finishers.

“You’ve got to show love for Hank,” Lofton said. “He was a giant in Atlanta. Anytime something has his name on it, I’m proud to be part of it.”

To organize the race, MLB collaborated with local groups like the Atlanta Track Club and runningnerds, both known for community-centered running events. Brown shared that the course included inspirational quotes from Aaron at each mile marker to help motivate runners through the heat and hills.

Following the race, attention turned to the newly revealed Hank Aaron tribute mural, located just across from Center Parc Stadium off Hank Aaron Boulevard.

Created by George F. Baker III, a local artist and longtime Summerhill resident, the mural bursts with color and symbolism. Set against a bold blue background, the piece features phrases like “Forever I Love ATL,” and “Always a thrill is Summerhill,” alongside iconic imagery like the Olympic flame, the Georgia State Capitol, and a portrait of Aaron at bat. The massive “ATL” in bubble letters anchors the piece as a vibrant ode to the city.

“For me, this mural was about capturing the energy and history of Atlanta, and especially Summerhill,” Baker said. “This neighborhood’s connection to baseball runs deep, and I wanted this art to reflect that—while paying respect to Hank Aaron and giving the community something to celebrate.”

Baker, who studied at Georgia State University, said being selected to paint this tribute near where Aaron made history was deeply meaningful.

“It’s truly an honor,” he said. “I’ve lived in this neighborhood and watched it grow. To now have my artwork here, tied to someone as legendary as Hank Aaron, means the world to me.”