atlanta , On April 8, 1974, history was made in Atlanta when Hank Aaron hit his 715th ball out of the park, surpassing the Great Bambino, Babe Ruth. That was the day hammerin’ Hank Aaron established himself as the Home Run King.
“Aaron is waiting. The outfield is deep and straight. The fastball is a high drive into deep center field, back over the fence…and it’s gone!”
Former Braves pitcher Tom House had the honor of catching the history-making homer.
“I knew when I got the ball I had to put it in his hands,” House told Fox 5.
House was one of the members of the 1974 Braves team in attendance at the 50th anniversary of this monumental moment at the Atlanta History Center on Monday.
He was there when Hank’s widow Billie Aaron cut the ribbon to help open a new exhibit that takes a look at The Hammer’s life, influence and the obstacles they overcame to reach greatness.
Related news: Hank Aaron rises above racist hate mail and threats in pursuit of Ruth’s home run record 50 years ago
House said, “For me, this is the first complete photograph of Henry Aaron in a setting where it can be appreciated.”
Former Braves outfielder Ralph Garr said, “It was an amazing feeling and he did an amazing job.”
Paul Crater of the Atlanta History Center is one of those who helped put together the exhibit.
“It didn’t seem like work,” he said.
The center worked with Billy Aarons to bring together never-before-seen objects for the exhibit, which officially opens Tuesday. It is expected to remain open until the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Some of the items on display include his Hall of Fame ring, an original Peanuts cartoon made about him, and his 1974 jersey.
“I hope people learn what an incredible human being Henry Aaron was,” Crater said. “He was an empathetic, kind, caring human being who made it his life’s mission to give back to others.”
FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Tyler Fingerts contributed to this report
50 years since Hank Aaron’s 715th home run: Atlanta Braves celebrate
Before Monday night’s game against the New York Mets, the Braves held a special commemoration in honor of Atlanta’s Home Run King.
Related news: Hank Aaron’s 715th home run: Atlanta Braves have a gift for history-loving fans
Fox 5 Sports was there for the pregame ceremony where Hank’s family celebrated on the field with other baseball legends and Atlanta civil rights icons.
Fans who could prove they witnessed the historic moment 50 years ago were given free tickets to enjoy Monday’s celebration.
Check out FOX 5 Atlanta’s timeline of Hank Aaron’s exciting life and impressive career.
FOX 5 Atlanta’s Kelly Price and DJ Shockley contributed to this report
Hall of Fame announces Hank Aaron statue, Postal Service unveils postage stamp
50th anniversary Hank Aaron’s 715th home run was marked Monday with the announcement of a new statue in baseball’s Hall of Fame and a new commemorative stamp from the U.S. Postal Service.
Meanwhile, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred teamed up with the Braves to help honor Aaron in Atlanta and announce a $100,000 scholarship at Tuskegee University, a historically black university in Aaron’s home state of Alabama.
Manfred mentioned the Henry Louis Aaron Fund started by the following braves death of aaron In 2021, the Chasing the Dream Foundation, created by Aaron and wife Billie, was designed to clear the way for minorities in baseball and encourage educational opportunities.
“I knew Hank later in his life and he had that wonderful presence that great people usually have, and he was undoubtedly a force for change in our society,” Manfred said at the Atlanta History Center. Unveiled.
“I’m sure his commitment to improving the lives of others was in part a result of his experience as a player. Hank’s legacy goes far beyond baseball.”
The exhibit will remain open during the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Billy Aaron attended the exhibit’s unveiling and spoke in a video about Aaron’s record-breaking homer in 1974. She said that while watching from her seat near the field, she was disturbed to see two 17-year-old fans, Britt Gaston and Cliff. courtenay, run on diamond And accompany Aaron as he runs around the camp.
“It made me angry,” Billy Aaron said, adding that he thought the young fans were “stealing his thunder” but said her husband was not upset.
She said, “If I was running around the bases like Henry, I would have hit him with more of an elbow.”
Another fan, Charlie Russotold the Associated Press that he accompanied Aaron’s family on the field and for the first time provided a video reproduction of the 8 mm film shot that night.
Manfred said a lot has changed in the last 50 years, including safety. “I think we’re better off letting fans on the field,” he said.
Aaron’s 715th home run Topped the record of 714 hits by Babe Ruth in his 1914–35 career. Aaron hit 755 home runs from 1954–76, besting Barry Bonds’ 762 from 1986–2007, a feat aided by performance-enhancing drugs.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 08: View of a statue commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hank Aaron’s 715th home run before the game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd
Baseball’s Hall of Fame will unveil a bronze statue of Hank Aaron on the first floor of its museum in Cooperstown, New York on May 23.
Aaron was elected to the Hall in 1982. A 25-time All-Star, he set a record with 2,297 RBIs. He holds the record for 1,477 extra-base hits and 6,856 total bases.
“Hank Aaron’s legacy has always been about much more than his incredible baseball accomplishments,” Hall President Jane Forbes Clark said in a statement. “His philanthropic vision, his support of youth empowerment efforts and his pioneering work as an executive have opened doors of opportunity for millions of people in the United States and around the world. Caring for and preserving his entire personal collection at Cooperstown We are extremely fortunate, and this statue will always stand as a tribute to an American hero.”
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 08: Fans hold signs commemorating Hank Aaron’s home run during the 50th anniversary celebration before the game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, April 8, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Postal Service announced that it would issue a stamp featuring a photo of Aaron batting while wearing an Atlanta Braves uniform. The date of release and dedication ceremony will be announced later.
Aaron’s teammates from the 1974 Braves team attending the event at the Atlanta History Center included Dusty Baker, who was on deck when Aaron hit a homer off Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Al Downing and the reliever who caught the ball. Tom was in the house. In the bullpen.
Baker Retired as manager of Houston After the 2023 season.
Billy Aaron joined Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Baker and others on the field as the Braves celebrated the anniversary in a ceremony before Monday night’s game against the New York Mets. After the video replay of the recorded homer, Baker said, “Babe was a bad guy, but Hank was even worse.”
Delta announces contribution of $150,000 to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund. The Braves had “715” painted on the grass in center field.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 08: General view of Truist Park with “715” painted on the field in honor of Hank Aaron before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets on April 8, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty
The Hank Aaron Invitational is designed to encourage high school players from diverse backgrounds to play at a high level. Hank Aaron Invitational alumni include Cincinnati pitcher Hunter Greene, who participated in 2015, and Braves outfielder Michael Harris II, who played in 2018.
Baker described Aaron as a father figure who took care of him as he began his playing career with the Braves. Baker and other teammates, including Ralph Garr, tried to protect Aaron. Received racist mail and threats During the home run chase.
“I’m proud to see how many people he’s helped, not only on the field but off it,” Baker said Monday.
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 08: A detailed view of the Hank Aaron ’74 home run record bobblehead presented by Truist and the Memorial Foundation before the game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, April 8, 2024. Atlanta, G
Garr said: “He told me all the time, ‘I don’t want anyone to forget Babe Ruth or forget me.'”
Associated Press pro and college sports reporter Charles Odum contributed to this report