Aaron, Elder overcame hate to achieve records, milestones
FILE - Four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Al Unser, poses with the Borg-Warner Trophy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Al Unser was the third member of one of America’s most-accomplished racing families to die in 2021, following his older brother Bobby, a three-time Indy champion, and Bobby Unser Jr. Al Unser was one of four drivers who won the Indy 500 a record four times, with victories in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)

FILE - Four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Al Unser, poses with the Borg-Warner Trophy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Al Unser was the third member of one of America’s most-accomplished racing families to die in 2021, following his older brother Bobby, a three-time Indy champion, and Bobby Unser Jr. Al Unser was one of four drivers who won the Indy 500 a record four times, with victories in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:12 PM EST
FILE - Hall of Famer Don Sutton during the Baseball Hall of Fame inductions in Cooperstown, N.Y., on Sunday, July 24, 2011. In 2021, baseball lost three notable former players, Hall of Famer Sutton, Ray Fosse and J.R. Richard. Sutton won 324 games with five teams. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

FILE - Hall of Famer Don Sutton during the Baseball Hall of Fame inductions in Cooperstown, N.Y., on Sunday, July 24, 2011. In 2021, baseball lost three notable former players, Hall of Famer Sutton, Ray Fosse and J.R. Richard. Sutton won 324 games with five teams. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:11 PM EST
FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron is seen, March 1967. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron is seen, March 1967. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:10 PM EST
FILE - Hall of Famer Hank Aaron waves to the crowd during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday, July 28, 2013, in Cooperstown, N.Y. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

FILE - Hall of Famer Hank Aaron waves to the crowd during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday, July 28, 2013, in Cooperstown, N.Y. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:09 PM EST
FILE - Lee Elder hits the ball from a sand trap on the 18th hole at the Augusta National Golf Club course in Augusta, Ga., on April 10, 1975. Elder is the first black golfer to play in the Masters tournament. Hank Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Lee Elder hits the ball from a sand trap on the 18th hole at the Augusta National Golf Club course in Augusta, Ga., on April 10, 1975. Elder is the first black golfer to play in the Masters tournament. Hank Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:10 PM EST
FILE - Lee Elder signs autographs for patrons outside the club house at the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Monday, April 7, 2008. Hank Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

FILE - Lee Elder signs autographs for patrons outside the club house at the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Monday, April 7, 2008. Hank Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:10 PM EST
FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron hits his 715th career home run in Atlanta Stadium, April 8, 1974, to break the all-time record set by the late Babe Ruth. The ball is a blur as it leaves the bat. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway, Jr., File)

FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron hits his 715th career home run in Atlanta Stadium, April 8, 1974, to break the all-time record set by the late Babe Ruth. The ball is a blur as it leaves the bat. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Joe Holloway, Jr., File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:09 PM EST
FILE - Masters champion Tiger Woods, right, gets a hug from Lee Elder after the final round of Masters play at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Sunday, April 13, 1997. Hank Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

FILE - Masters champion Tiger Woods, right, gets a hug from Lee Elder after the final round of Masters play at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Sunday, April 13, 1997. Hank Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:11 PM EST
FILE - American League pitcher Don Sutton of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the 48th All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, July 20, 1977. In 2021, baseball lost three notable former players, Hall of Famer Sutton, Ray Fosse and J.R. Richard. Sutton won 324 games with five teams. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - American League pitcher Don Sutton of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the 48th All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, July 20, 1977. In 2021, baseball lost three notable former players, Hall of Famer Sutton, Ray Fosse and J.R. Richard. Sutton won 324 games with five teams. (AP Photo, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:11 PM EST
FILE - Al Unser crosses finish line on May 28, 1978 ,at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to win 62nd Indianapolis 500-mile race in Indianapolis. It was Unser's third win at Indy. Al Unser was the third member of one of America’s most-accomplished racing families to die in 2021, following his older brother Bobby, a three-time Indy champion, and Bobby Unser Jr. Known as “Big Al” after his son also became a racing star, Unser was one of four drivers who won the Indy 500 a record four times, with victories in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Al Unser crosses finish line on May 28, 1978 ,at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to win 62nd Indianapolis 500-mile race in Indianapolis. It was Unser's third win at Indy. Al Unser was the third member of one of America’s most-accomplished racing families to die in 2021, following his older brother Bobby, a three-time Indy champion, and Bobby Unser Jr. Known as “Big Al” after his son also became a racing star, Unser was one of four drivers who won the Indy 500 a record four times, with victories in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. (AP Photo, File)

Dec. 27, 2021 03:12 PM EST