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April 8, 1974
Hammerin' Hank Hits #715
Move over Babe, there's a new All-Time Home Run King! |
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FULTON COUNTY STADIUM, ATLANTA, GEORGIA -- It was something that Jimmie Foxx (534) couldn't do. It was a mark that Ted Williams (521) couldn't reach. Even supersluggers Willie Mays (660) and Mickey Mantle (536) hung 'em up before drawing too close.
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Starters: Downing vs. Reed
WP: Ron Reed LP: Al Downing SV: Buzz Capra
HR: (ATL) Hank Aaron (4th)
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Babe Ruth's record total of 714 career home runs had stood since May 1935, and it was a mark that had long been considered unbreakable -- unapproachable, even -- in the annals of baseball. Yet, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves was entering the 1974 season one home run behind Ruth's lifetime total, with an unobstructed path toward claiming the cherished record as his own.
Hammerin' Hank's time behind Ruth didn't last very long, as Aaron homered off Cincinnati's Jack Billingham in the season opener.
Two games later, a crowd of 53,755 crammed into Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium for the home opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After walking in the second inning, Aaron came to bat in the fourth with a runner on first and the Braves trailing 3-1.
On a 1-0 pitch from Dodgers pitcher Al Downing, Aaron swung at a high fastball and lined it-as he had done so many times in the past-over the 385-foot mark in left field.
In one of baseball's most enduring moments, Aaron trudged around second base with his head down, before two fans ran up and patted him on the back as he headed toward third base.
Ironically, there were two things that the euphoric crowd probably didn't realize at that moment. One was that maybe the most famous home run in history had just tied the game, 3-3. The second was that Aaron's earlier walk had eventually allowed him to score-and break Mays' National League record of 2062 career runs!
It was just one of many records that Hank Aaron would finish his extraordinary career with, including the most RBIs (2297), total bases (6856) and extra-base hits (1477). But it was his 715th home run-on the way to a final total of 755-that cemented his legacy and made the night of April 8, 1974 one of the most famous in baseball history.
Copyright 1974 by the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball
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Listen to the radio broadcast
Hank Aaron's 715th
Barry Bonds' 71st