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That’s how Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th career home run looked and sounded, precisely 40 years ago, eclipsing the benchmark established by Babe Ruth, en route to a standard that has since been surpassed by Barry Bonds.
Here’s how it read in the next day’s Post, April 9, 1974, in the words of correspondent Vic Ziegel:
ATLANTA — The home run never before hit, the 715th, is now Hank Aaron’s.
His grand prize came at 9:06 p.m., in the fourth inning, in the 21st season of a career that moves him alongside the greatest names in baseball history.
“I consider myself one the best,” he finally let himself say after the game. He mentioned Joe DiMaggio (“one of the greatest”) and added Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. And then, because this was the night he has wanted for so long, the night that meant an end to the pressure he seemed to carry so well, he couldn’t hold back: “Let me say this,” the 40-year-old outfielder told his audience, “I don’t think Hank Aaron is fourth. I think he is second or third.”
There was some controversy surrounding the run-up to the record. Aaron wanted to sit out a season-opening series in Cincinnati, to ensure he hit the historic homers back in Atlanta. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn insisted Aaron play at least two of three on the road against the Reds.
Atlanta Stadium celebrated with speeches and a fireworks show. There was nothing resembling baseball for 11 minutes, unless you count the boos when Monte Irvin of the commissioner’s office presented Aaron with a watch. Monte said commissioner. The crowd said boo.
“I was smiling because of the boos he was receiving,” Aaron said, as close as he would come to saving a swing for Kuhn.
“I hit 714 in Cincinnati. Somebody should have said he played, he did the best he could, why not let him hit 715 in Atlanta? I think I should have been give that privilege.”
Aaron will be honored during a ceremony Tuesday night before the Braves’ game against the Mets.