45 Years Ago Today! Hank Hits #715!!

[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 ?

[Santo10Fan]

Originally Posted by Klrdds

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

I saw Darren Rovall's picture of it on Twitter and immediately remembered why I never go on Twitter anymore. I think one of his teammates got it since ball was hit into a non-seating area.

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by Klrdds

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

Tom House, Braves relief pitcher and later an influential pitching coach.

[Santo10Fan]

Originally Posted by trdcrdkid

Tom House, Braves relief pitcher and later an influential pitching coach.

House's telling of the moment http://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb-n...eached-the-hof

[icollectDCsports]

I remember watching it on TV and feeling so fortunate that I got to view that historical achievement. I think about it frequently and I've never lost that feeling.

[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 !!

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by mybuddyinc

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 !!

I’m not saying you’re wrong, but in the “bigs” he was never considered a control pitcher with around 4 walks per 9 innings. I wonder if he wishes he had walked Hank.

[bmattioli]

I remember that night and always recall that big fishing net out reached to try and catch the ball. Hank circling the bases like a true gentleman and Tom House running in and giving him the ball..

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by bmattioli

I remember that night and always recall that big fishing net out reached to try and catch the ball. Hank circling the bases like a true gentleman and Tom House running in and giving him the ball..

I recall it too. Yes it was a weekday game and we were all waiting for it to happen.

I seem to recall a fan running up to him on the field while he was rounding the bases (around second base) patting him on the back. Or was that for #714?

[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...