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Today In History: April 8th, 1974

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, - APRIL 8, 1974:  Hank Aaron hits his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's long-standing record of 714 lifetime home runs. 
Photo Credit: Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, - APRIL 8, 1974: Hank Aaron hits his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's long-standing record of 714 lifetime home runs. Photo Credit: Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves Hits His 715th Home Run, Surpassing Babe Ruth’s Record

On April 8th, 1974, a moment etched in baseball lore unfolded as Hank Aaron, an icon of American sports, swung his way into history. Fans watched NBC’s Monday Night Baseball broadcast that evening in 1974 as Aaron connected with the ball during the Atlanta Braves versus Los Angeles Dodgers game, sending the ball soaring into the stands as he hit his 715th career home run. In doing so, Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth’s long-standing record!

Hank Aaron surrounded by fans holding up a baseball.
Hank Aaron holds up the ball that broke Babe Ruth’s home run record Apr. 8th, 1974. Photo Credit: Bettmann / Getty Images

Aaron’s monumental 715th home run was achieved thanks to his consistency, skill, and dedication to the game. His career, spanning from 1954 to 1976, showcased his remarkable talent and resilience. Not only did Aaron break Ruth’s record, but he also set the bar high with a career total of 755 home runs, a record that stood for decades. Even if you took away his home run record, Hammerin’ Hank Aaron would still have 3000+ hits sitting on his record!

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Aaron’s achievement was more than a statistical milestone; it was a victory against the racial barriers that he faced throughout his career. In breaking Ruth’s record, Aaron not only claimed a spot in the baseball record books but also became a symbol of progress in the face of adversity.

TVN News Poster

TVN News Poster is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News