Bob Hope, Colorado Silver Bullets Women's Baseball, Journeys with Hank Aaron, & Ted Turner

BaseballBiz On Deck

“Baseball can’t truly be America’s pastime if women are prohibited from playing.” – Bob Hope

Bob Hope’s Baseball Career Journey:

• College student to Atlanta Braves employee
• Starting as an office assistant to Assistant PR Director
• Rising to PR Director at age 24

Memorable Moments with Hank Aaron:

• Close friendship with Hank Aaron
• Managing PR during Aaron’s record-breaking home run chase
• Hank Aaron meeting children with illnesses before games, despite league restrictions, highlighting Aaron's compassion and humility

Women in Baseball:

• The influence of Hank Aaron on Bob’s advocacy for women in baseball.
• Early efforts in the 1980s, including tryouts at Georgia Tech, to explore women’s potential in professional baseball.
• Founding the Colorado Silver Bullets with support from Coors Brewing Company to demonstrate women’s ability to compete at a high level in baseball.
• Tamara Holmes, who thrived with the Silver Bullets and later represented the USAWNT Baseball

Cultural Shifts in Baseball:

• Overcoming skepticism & resistance to women playing baseball.
• Shifting public and organizational attitudes toward women in sports.
• The evolution of opportunities for women in baseball
• Reflections on working with baseball icons like Hank Aaron
• Hank Aaron’s humility & kindness left a lasting impact on Bob’s career & life.
• The significance of Bob’s work in promoting inclusivity and innovation in baseball.

Career with the Braves and Ted Turner:

• Managed high-profile events like the MLB All-Star Game & Hank Aaron’s home run chase to beat Babe Ruth's record
• Worked directly with Ted Turner, who challenged Bob to raise his profile nationally
• Balancing career with family life led Bob to transition from Turner’s intense environment to Coca-Cola and eventually founding his own agency

Creating the Colorado Silver Bullets:

• Partnered with Coors to establish a professional women’s baseball team.
• Assembled top-tier coaching staff, including Phil Niekro, to ensure the team’s success & credibility
• Overcame initial struggles to become a competitive team, defeating college teams, minor league teams & international opponents like Nicaragua’s national team
• Pitcher Pam Davis’s “Greg Maddux”-style performance, showcased the talent and determination of women in baseball

Promoting Women in Baseball:

• Early advocacy inspired by conversations with Hank Aaron and Billie Jean King.
• Collaboration with the Women’s Sports Foundation to explore opportunities for women to play baseball professionally.
• Importance of visibility & equal opportunities for girls dreaming of playing baseball.

Humanitarian Efforts in Honduras:

• Organized annual trips to rural Honduras for nearly 30 years, focus on building schools and improving healthcare.
• Helped transform the region with state-of-the-art education facilities and support for the local community.
• Encourages others to get involved, emphasizing the personal growth and connections gained from giving back
• Honduras Efforts Donations can be made :via Zelle to, 678 362 4883
  
• Women’s Sports Foundation and its initiatives.
• Hank Aaron’s legacy: Hank Aaron Foundation
• Learn more about the Colorado Silver Bullets
  Mark on BlueSky at @baseballbizondeck.bsky.social
  Thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music “Rocking Forward