In the 4th inning‚ of the Braves home opener 7-4 win against the Dodgers‚ Henry Aaron parks an Al Downing pitch in the left-centerfield stands for career home run number 715‚ breaking Ruth's once thought to be unapproachable record. Looking on is Braves manager Eddie Mathews, who homered in the same game as Aaron 75 times, a major league record for duos.
I Had a Hammer, Aaron's autobiography with Lonnie Wheeler, is very good and I recommend it. The hate mail that Aaron received and the pressure that he was under was unbeliveable and the book relates that and the chase very well. But, he handled better than anyone else could have.
I am vaguely remembering a skit on The Flip Wilson Show that Aaron performed with the host between the 1973 and 1974 seasons. (According to imdb.com the air date of this show was November 8, 1973.) He had finished 1973 with 713 homers, one shy of tying Babe Ruth's career record and two from breaking it. Hank bought something from Flip and the change was supposed to be $7.15.
Flip said something like "I've only got $7.13. Will you settle for that?"
Hank answered with something like, "No way."
The crowd went nuts.
You Tube? Do you have this? Unfortunately, no. I've seen reruns of The Flip Wilson Show on TVLand at like 6 or 7am on Saturdays during the winter, but I don't see it on their schedule anywhere. Need to watch more television.
You Tube, do you have video of the moment Hammerin' Hank broke the record? Yes you do, but not the Vin Scully or Milo Hamilton Versions. Just two fans doing the announcing over old video tape.
Congratulations, Mr. Aaron.
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