The Mysteries of History (April 8 Edition)
Hank Aaron Breaks Homerun Record
1974 — Hammerin’ Hank Breaks the Bambino’s Record
public domain images from wikimedia commons
George Herman “Babe” Ruth’s MLB (Major League Baseball) record of 714 career homerun stood for almost forty years, from 1935 (when Henry “Hank” Aaron was one year old) to 1974. On this date in 1974, Henry “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron broke Ruth’s record when he hit his 715th career homerun.
Aaron ended up with 755 lifetime homeruns (and that’s not counting those he hit in the Negro Leagues, in High School, etc.).
Aaron’s record was broken by Barry Bonds in 2007, but with an asterisk, as Bonds eventually admitted to using PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) — steroids — in his pursuit of Aaron’s record.
For a reason you can probably guess, Aaron had received hate mail and even death threats as it became clear that he would break Ruth’s record. Ironically, though, there is speculation that Ruth, too, had African-American blood coursing through his veins.
Questions: For which teams did Hank Aaron play? What other record (besides homeruns) did Aaron hold at the time of his retirement from baseball? What did Aaron do after his playing career was over?
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