Black Quotidian: Everyday History in African-American Newspapers

April 9, 1974

On April 9, 1974, the Atlanta Daily World's lead story was on home run king Henry Aaron. “Hammering Hank Aaron is the man of the hour in Atlanta today as his home-run feats, unsurpassed by any mortal, focuses national attention on this deep south city and the Atlanta Braves,” the newspaper reported on April 9 (it appears that this paper was published on April 8, the day Aaron hit his 715th career home run, surpassing Babe Ruth for the major league record. (Click to view PDF.)

On April 11, 1974, the Daily World's headline read “Aaron Reigns as Home Run King: Humble Hero Captures Most Coveted Record.”  Sportswriter James Heath offered this description of the epic home run: “He swung his 34-ounce bat on a 1-0 count, one ball and no strikes. His arms were out in front of his body, as usual, and his powerful wrists snapped the bat around in a graceful compact arc. There was the solid rap of a baseball hitting wood, somewhat of a loud crack sound, a familiar sound in Atlanta Stadium. Atlanta Stadium went crazy, Atlanta went crazy and 80 million plus television audience went crazy.” (Click to view PDF.)

Here is Hank Aaron’s record breaking home run with Vin Scully making the call:
 
 

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