Hear Vin Scully call Hank Aaron's record breaking home run from 40 years ago
Forty years ago, on April 8th, 1974, Hank Aaron stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Braves trailing the Dodgers, 3-1. Facing Al Downing, Aaron swung on a 1-0 "sinker that didn't sink," and launched it over the left-field wall. The blast tied the game and vaulted Aaron past Babe Ruth and into sole possession of baseball's all-time home run record.
But why bother reading about it when you can listen to Vin Scully, the man everyone wishes was their grandfather, call it in the video below:
Aaron's home run wasn't just the culmination of 20 years of exceptional performance, including an astonishing eight 40 home run seasons. It was also a shot against the racism and rancor of the time.
And to honor that legacy, the Braves will wear throwback caps and uniforms in Tuesday's game against the Mets. "715" has also been cut into Turner Field's outfield grass.
#715 has been carved in the outfield grass. From what I hear, this is the place to be tonight. #Braves pic.twitter.com/awBmiDnXaN
- Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 8, 2014Forty years on, Aaron is no longer MLB's career leader in home runs (though he still holds the all-time RBI and total bases records), but his 715th long ball stands out as a crowning moment in baseball history. Here's to you, Hank.
Update: The Braves honored Aaron at Turner Field on Tuesday: