Hammerin' Hank appears on special-edition Wheaties box

One-on-One: Hank Aaron    195 Home Runs At Milwaukee County Stadium 22 For The Milwaukee Brewers

ATLANTA (AP) -- Hank Aaron will appear on the front of the orange Wheaties cereal box as a special-edition Black History Month package, the company announced Wednesday.

The box will be available nationally until the end of February. This is the second time the all-time home run king has appeared on the Wheaties box. In 1970, Aaron was featured along with Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench and golfer Tom Weiskopf.

Wheaties began its association with sports in the mid-1930s with a sign on the left field wall at old Nicollet Park near downtown Minneapolis. General Mills' broadcast deal with the minor league Minneapolis Millers on WCCO Radio included the large signboard that Wheaties would use to introduce its new advertising slogan: "Wheaties -- The Breakfast of Champions."

From that rather humble beginning, Wheaties has built a heritage that includes many of the greatest athletes of all time.

"It's an honor for me to join the ranks of some of the great baseball players who have graced the Wheaties package over the years," said Aaron, who has also been in a television commercial for the breakfast cereal.

Aaron spent nearly his entire career with the Braves, first in Milwaukee (1954-65), then in Atlanta (1966-74). He concluded his 23-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1975 and 1976.

Aaron's 755 career home runs smashed Babe Ruth's seemingly unbreakable record of 714. He also has the record for most runs batted in at 2,297 and the most games played at 3,298.