Hank Aaron's 715th Home Run (April 8, 1974)
The greatest individual act in American sports is hitting a home run. It comes to no surprise then the most treasured record in American sports is career home runs. For over five decades Babe Ruth, one of the greatest sports figures of all time, held the record for most career home runs with 714. The man to eventually break Ruth's record is Hank Aaron, the man swinging for the fences in the picture above.
Though Aaron was on his way to breaking Babe Ruth's home run record, it came at a hard price. Hank Aaron fell just short of tying Ruth's record by the time the 1973 baseball season came to a close. This meant Aaron had to wait until the following spring to claim the title as the new home run king. That winter was certainly a trying time for Hank Aaron as he received hate mail and death threats from anonymous people. Some people couldn't accept a black man breaking Babe Ruth's record. Sadly Hank Aaron was no stranger to racism considering his background.
Born in Mobile, Alabama in the 1930's, Aaron experienced firsthand the racism that existed in the segregated south. He grew up on a farm picking cotton alongside his seven other siblings. After attending a segregated school, Aaron showcased his baseball talents in the Negro Baseball League. Even though Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, many black ball players had to prove their worth in the Negro Leagues before making it to the Major Leagues. In 1952 Hank Aaron debuted in the Negro Leagues and led his team, the Indianapolis Clowns, to victory in the Negro League World Series.
Aaron's productivity on the field caught the eye of numerous major league scouts. He eventually signed with the Milwaukee Braves and played for their minor league team in 1953. Finally in 1954 Aaron made his major league debut. Right from the start Hank Aaron showcased his superstar abilities. He built the reputation as one of the great power hitters in all of baseball. From 1957 to 1973 Hank Aaron hit thirty or more home runs every year except for two seasons. Additionally after his rookie year, Aaron was elected to the MLB All-Star game every year up through 1973.
Slowly but surely thanks to a consistent and powerful bat, Hank Aaron eventually grabbed national attention as he approached Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. Many thought Aaron would break the record during the 1973 season. He finished the season with 713 career home runs, one shy of Babe Ruth's 714 mark. Aaron had to wait the following year to set the new home run record.
No one could wait for the 1974 season to start more than Hank Aaron. The previous winter hundreds of hate mail was sent to Aaron. The threats got so bad a local Atlanta writer prepared an obituary in the event Aaron was murdered. It was clear many people didn't want to see a black man hold the most coveted record in American sports.
Despite the outcry Hank Aaron, at the age of forty, was ready to go opening day on the road in Cincinnati. In his very first at bat Aaron blasted a home run to tie the record. Many hoped home run number 715 would be in the Braves home park in Atlanta. After failing to hit another home run in Cincinnati, the Braves returned home to host the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the home opener Hank Aaron stepped to the plate in the 4th inning and belted a drive to left field.
The picture shows the Aaron's follow through swing after hitting the historic home run. What makes the frame spectacular is its symmetry. At the top the stadium lights blare down on the field, giving the moment an even greater spotlight. The light is literally raining down on the field. Beneath the lights is a large portion of the record setting crowd to witness the new home run champion. The spectators perfectly surround the field giving the picture a nice arc. On the field Hank Aaron is the focal point. Every Dodger player is focused on the hitter, hoping their team isn't a part of history.
As the ball cleared left field into the Braves bullpen, Hank Aaron slowly trotted around the bases. As Aaron approached 3rd base, two young white men ran up behind him. This was a scary moment considering the death threats Aaron received while on his quest to set the home run record. These men could of attacked Hank Aaron. It turned they came on the field to give the home run king a congratulatory pat on the back. That moment showed there were a lot more people rooting for Aaron rather than against him. The crowd of predominately white people was giving a black man a standing ovation.
Hank Aaron would play two more full seasons in the big leagues. He retired in 1976 with a career total of 755 home runs. That mark stood until Barry Bonds clubbed his 756th home run in 2007. Many still believe Aaron holds the record due to the allegations that Bonds used performing enhancing drugs (PED's). Even players closing in on Hank Aaron's home run total have been rumored to take PED's. To this day Hank Aaron's 715th home run is considered one of the greatest moments in baseball history. The picture captures the spotlight Aaron was under before and at the moment of his historic home run.
Though Aaron was on his way to breaking Babe Ruth's home run record, it came at a hard price. Hank Aaron fell just short of tying Ruth's record by the time the 1973 baseball season came to a close. This meant Aaron had to wait until the following spring to claim the title as the new home run king. That winter was certainly a trying time for Hank Aaron as he received hate mail and death threats from anonymous people. Some people couldn't accept a black man breaking Babe Ruth's record. Sadly Hank Aaron was no stranger to racism considering his background.
Born in Mobile, Alabama in the 1930's, Aaron experienced firsthand the racism that existed in the segregated south. He grew up on a farm picking cotton alongside his seven other siblings. After attending a segregated school, Aaron showcased his baseball talents in the Negro Baseball League. Even though Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, many black ball players had to prove their worth in the Negro Leagues before making it to the Major Leagues. In 1952 Hank Aaron debuted in the Negro Leagues and led his team, the Indianapolis Clowns, to victory in the Negro League World Series.
Aaron's productivity on the field caught the eye of numerous major league scouts. He eventually signed with the Milwaukee Braves and played for their minor league team in 1953. Finally in 1954 Aaron made his major league debut. Right from the start Hank Aaron showcased his superstar abilities. He built the reputation as one of the great power hitters in all of baseball. From 1957 to 1973 Hank Aaron hit thirty or more home runs every year except for two seasons. Additionally after his rookie year, Aaron was elected to the MLB All-Star game every year up through 1973.
Slowly but surely thanks to a consistent and powerful bat, Hank Aaron eventually grabbed national attention as he approached Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. Many thought Aaron would break the record during the 1973 season. He finished the season with 713 career home runs, one shy of Babe Ruth's 714 mark. Aaron had to wait the following year to set the new home run record.
No one could wait for the 1974 season to start more than Hank Aaron. The previous winter hundreds of hate mail was sent to Aaron. The threats got so bad a local Atlanta writer prepared an obituary in the event Aaron was murdered. It was clear many people didn't want to see a black man hold the most coveted record in American sports.
Despite the outcry Hank Aaron, at the age of forty, was ready to go opening day on the road in Cincinnati. In his very first at bat Aaron blasted a home run to tie the record. Many hoped home run number 715 would be in the Braves home park in Atlanta. After failing to hit another home run in Cincinnati, the Braves returned home to host the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the home opener Hank Aaron stepped to the plate in the 4th inning and belted a drive to left field.
The picture shows the Aaron's follow through swing after hitting the historic home run. What makes the frame spectacular is its symmetry. At the top the stadium lights blare down on the field, giving the moment an even greater spotlight. The light is literally raining down on the field. Beneath the lights is a large portion of the record setting crowd to witness the new home run champion. The spectators perfectly surround the field giving the picture a nice arc. On the field Hank Aaron is the focal point. Every Dodger player is focused on the hitter, hoping their team isn't a part of history.
As the ball cleared left field into the Braves bullpen, Hank Aaron slowly trotted around the bases. As Aaron approached 3rd base, two young white men ran up behind him. This was a scary moment considering the death threats Aaron received while on his quest to set the home run record. These men could of attacked Hank Aaron. It turned they came on the field to give the home run king a congratulatory pat on the back. That moment showed there were a lot more people rooting for Aaron rather than against him. The crowd of predominately white people was giving a black man a standing ovation.
Hank Aaron would play two more full seasons in the big leagues. He retired in 1976 with a career total of 755 home runs. That mark stood until Barry Bonds clubbed his 756th home run in 2007. Many still believe Aaron holds the record due to the allegations that Bonds used performing enhancing drugs (PED's). Even players closing in on Hank Aaron's home run total have been rumored to take PED's. To this day Hank Aaron's 715th home run is considered one of the greatest moments in baseball history. The picture captures the spotlight Aaron was under before and at the moment of his historic home run.
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