The giant of American baseball Hank Aaron walked into the ballroom of the Hilton Americas Houston carrying so much history and richness of the game on his broad shoulders that he inspired an immediate standing ovation from the crowd of 750.

This might have been a first for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center's "A Conversation With a Living Legend," an American hero so admired that he doesn't even have to speak before the ovations begin.

The remarkable Hall of Famer held the audience in rapt attention as he was interviewed by veteran CBS newsman Bob Schieffer. They talked about the elements of the game, racial tensions during Aaron's era and the importance of serving as a positive role model.

The baseball connections prevailed throughout the luncheon with former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell introducing Aaron. Milo Hamilton, voice of the Astros, visited with Aaron and his wife, Billye, before the event as did former Astros mananger Larry Dierker.

With chairs Ginger and Jack Blanton, Leslie and Jack Blanton Jr. and Kelli and Eddy Blanton at the helm, the event raised $400,000 for cancer research and patient care programs at M.D. Anderson. Retired CNN chairman Tom Johnson, M.D. Anderson Board of Visitors member, served as emcee.

In addition to high school baseball players and a few Little Leaguers in the house, the crowd included M.D. Anderson chief Dr. John Mendelsohn and wife Anne, Ann and Clarence Cazalot, Kay Onstead, Pam and Randall Onstead, Barbara Hurwitz, Patsy and Greg Fourticq, Joan Schnitzer Levy and Irvin Levy, Janet and Ernie Cockrell, Denise and Bill Monteleone and Dorothy and Mickey Ables.