{"id":61938,"date":"2023-09-07T10:00:47","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T14:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=61938"},"modified":"2023-09-06T21:35:15","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T01:35:15","slug":"braves-power-hank-aaron-home-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/09\/07\/braves-power-hank-aaron-home-run\/","title":{"rendered":"Braves\u2019 Power Evokes Memories of Hank Aaron"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a Hank Aaron<\/a> home run flew over the fence at Three Rivers Stadium in 1972, the realization of his ascent toward history became apparent.
\nWith the rate at which home runs are flying off the bats of Atlanta Braves<\/a> hitters this season (263 through 137 games), one cannot help but think of one of the most prolific hitters of all time, the Braves\u2019 own Henry Aaron.<\/p>\n

[metabet_core_game_tile query=”531768″ size=”350×300″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”]<\/p>\n

Also in 1972, in that long-gone concrete donut in Pittsburgh, I saw a Willie Mays<\/a> basket catch (even though he was in a New York Mets<\/a> uniform when he did so) and a Roberto Clemente<\/a> throw from right field that cut down a runner\u2019s attempted double. Each had its mark on historic achievements indicative of that all-time great player.<\/p>\n

But on July 19, 1972, Aaron hit number 659 off of the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a>\u2019 Nellie Briles<\/a> and equaled Babe Ruth<\/a>\u2019s record for home runs with the same team. Aaron was batting third, behind current Houston Astros<\/a> manager Dusty Baker<\/a> (yes, really) and speedster Ralph Garr<\/a>. Catcher Earl Williams<\/a> batted cleanup.<\/p>\n

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Hank Aaron and Dusty Baker, 1972 @Braves<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cdvgJjRM9Y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Vintage Jerseys & Hats (@PolyesterUnis) November 6, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n