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Hank Aaron wasn't considered a home run hitter when he entered the major leagues.

In fact, Aaron also holds another career record that’s not nearly as glamorous as the homer mark, but may be more important: 2,297 RBIs. Bonds, by comparison, has yet to reach 2,000.

“(Aaron) always hit in the clutch, and Hank had the leadership qualities to lead,” former NL president Len Coleman said. “People looked to Hank as a leader.”

Aaron has remained true to form and diligently avoided the spotlight.

Many have speculated that he’s taking a not-so-subtle swipe at his pursuer, who’s dogged by allegations that many of his homers were powered by performance-enhancing drugs. But it’s just as likely that Aaron is approaching this moment like so many others in his career: low-key and dignified.

Aaron gave a videotaped statement Tuesday when Bonds set the record. He could have ripped the impending home run king over the steroids allegations, but he didn’t. He could have made the rounds with all sorts of gushing praise for the accomplishments of another, but that’s not his style, either.

This is Bonds’ moment, so Aaron is graciously stepping aside.

“Hank is an understated person,” Selig said. “There’s no question that Hank was a great player, given the magnificence of his career. He’s just not a flamboyant personality. In my mind, that makes him a great human being.”

Aaron has turned down nearly all interview requests and made only a handful of public appearances in recent months, always vigilant about avoiding any discussion of Bonds. He won’t be there when the record is broken, either, but insists it’s not a slight to Mays’ godson.

“I traveled for 23 years, and I just get tired of traveling,” said Aaron, now 73. “I’m not going to fly to go see somebody hit a home run, no matter whether it is Barry or Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig or whoever it may be. I’m not going any place. I wish him all the luck in the world.”

No matter how many homers Bonds finishes with, Aaron won’t lose his special place in baseball history.

“The only thing Hank did was just go out there and be the most consistent home run hitter of all time,” Ripken said. “He just hit ’em over the fences.”