45 Years Ago Today! Hank Hits #715!!

[clydepepper]

Henry Louis Aaron passed George Herman Ruth as the Game's All-Time Homerun Leader!

Does it seem that long ago?


A Shout Out to Mr. Aaron, his accomplishments and the dignity in which he has led his life.



Thanks, Hank!
=

[samosa4u]

It's amazing he still managed to do it even though he was receiving letters like the one below:

[trdcrdkid]

I was eight years old and watching it on the old TV in our basement den while building a Lego house. Whatever channel I was watching broke in to show Aaron's at-bat. Since it was a Monday night, it must have been before 8:00 central time, since that was my bedtime.

[Ricky]

NBC Monday night game of the week. Henry was always my personal all time favorite player and still is. I remember that game well. Around 2000, I put together a complete 1954-1976 Aaron run, including league leader and all-star cards... any cards that Aaron was pictured on.

[frankbmd]

Lest we not forget that Al Downing was the first pitcher to give up a 715th home run.

[Klrdds]

Not a hard question but one I like to ask ...
Who caught Aaron's 715th Home Run ball ?

[mybuddyinc]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Lest we not forget that Al Downing was the first pitcher to give up a 715th home run.

My father (1927-2012) used to umpire in local Trenton, NJ various league games in the 50's and early 60's. He always said that the easiest umpiring job he ever had was behind the plate when Downing pitched in the Trenton Industrial League ...... He recalled that all he had to do was stand there and say: Strike !!

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Lest we not forget that Al Downing was the first pitcher to give up a 715th home run.

Byung-Hyun Kim was no Al Downing.

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Lest we not forget that Al Downing was the first pitcher to give up a 715th home run.

I haven't verified this, but I don't think any Major League pitcher has given up 715 home runs...

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

It's amazing he still managed to do it even though he was receiving letters like the one below:

Death threats to professional athletes are nothing new.
Roger Maris received numerous threats.

Going right back to the early days of the World Series, this occurred.
Heritage sold an actual threat letter a few years ago, I could be wrong regarding the player, but I think it was addressed to Joe Wood during the 1912 Series, with the letter originating from his family.

Vice did a whole article about individuals threatened.
Even Joe DiMaggio was threatened post-career.

Thankfully, I don't think the overwhelming majority gave into the threats.

Aaron wasn't the first, and surely won't be the last.