40th anniversary of 715

[Vintagevault13]

Today is the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron hitting his 715th homer and breaking Babe Ruth's record. Admittedly, Hank is my favorite player but I must say his class and dignity are examples still today.

Below is a video link to the historic homer with interviews, etc.:

http://m.mlb.com/video/v3224106

[KCRfan1]

Thanks for sharing Ed! I agree with everything you said about Hank Aaron, and I believe Aaron is vastly underrated as one of baseball's Great's of the Game.

[PM770]

Very cool. Thanks for the reminder!

[ALR-bishop]

[Stonepony]

Remember it well. My dad called me in from shooting baskets to watch that epic at bat

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by Vintagevault13

Today is the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron hitting his 715th homer and breaking Babe Ruth's record. Admittedly, Hank is my favorite player but I must say his class and dignity are examples still today.

Below is a video link to the historic homer with interviews, etc.:

http://m.mlb.com/video/v3224106

Thanks for starting this, Ed. I grew up in Milwaukee, where Hank is still revered. Unfortunately, I've never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Aaron in person, though my father has. He is a true gentleman.

I still consider him the all-time home run king.

[Vintagevault13]

Just watched ceremony before Braves' home opener honoring Aaron. Hank's speech was, as could be expected, full of class and humility. What a great ambassador for the Braves (Milwaukee and Atlanta) and all of baseball.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

I still consider him the all-time home run king.

I agree.

Additionally, all things considered, I believe Aaron's cards to be the most undervalued in the entire hobby. I predict that, as time marches on and the collector base changes, values of the cards from his playing days (as well as those of Roberto Clemente and Warren Spahn) will outperform those of his contemporaries.

To clarify, I am not saying that a '56 Topps Warren Spahn will ever be worth more than a '56 Mickey Mantle...just that there will be a higher percentage jump on cards of him, Clemente, and Aaron than anyone else from that era.

Sorry for getting a bit off-topic. Carry on.

[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I agree.

Additionally, all things considered, I believe Aaron's cards to be the most undervalued in the entire hobby. I predict that, as time marches on and the collector base changes, values of the cards from his playing days (as well as those of Roberto Clemente and Warren Spahn) will outperform those of his contemporaries.

To clarify, I am not saying that a '56 Topps Warren Spahn will ever be worth more than a '56 Mickey Mantle...just that there will be a higher percentage jump on cards of him, Clemente, and Aaron than anyone else from that era.

Sorry for getting a bit off-topic. Carry on.

I agree that his cards will take off. Definitely does not get the credit he deserves. His stats, in addition to home runs, are staggering. Glad I finished my Topps Aaron regular issue run last year LOL.

[Acollector]

I wonder if he had been born 40 years later, with all the expansion, if would he have hit an additional 100 home runs or more.

[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by Acollector

I wonder if he had been born 40 years later, with all the expansion, if would he have hit an additional 100 home runs or more.

Probably. There was only 10 or fewer teams in the NL most of his playing career. He faced strong pitching almost every game as the talent wasn't diluted.

[steve B]

I was there!

In my living room, watching on tv like millions of others.

I'd only gotten interested in baseball late in the year before. So my intro to watching baseball was the 73 series, then 715. Followed by meeting Bob Feller and then the 75 series. ---No wonder I like baseball.

Nearly saw him play in 76. Our church took a once a year trip to Fenway. I went in 74, 75 I think they didn't/couldn't get tickets, 76 was a Brewers game. He didn't play that day.



Steve B

[71buc]

Hank is by far the most under rated player in history. Following the death of Clemente he became my favorite player. I named my first born Aaron Clemente after both of them. Ironically, on the 40th anniversary of Hank's biggest moment my son had a pretty big moment himself. He learned today he was accepted to law school. Very Very proud father here