Hank Aaron - Today in History
Axtell
Posts: 10,037 ✭✭
in Sports Talk
On this day in 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run, passing Babe Ruth.
The fact that I haven't seen or heard any mention of this further supports my thought that Aaron is arguably one of the most underappreciated players of all time.
A career .305 hitter, of course the all time HR champ, he never hit more than 49 home runs in a season. All-time RBI leader, all-time total bases leader (by a massive 700+ over #2)...and did anyone else know that he had 3,771 hits?
Hank Aaron is truly one of our all-time greats, and the fact he is so consistenly overlooked in the history of baseball is a true travesty.
The fact that I haven't seen or heard any mention of this further supports my thought that Aaron is arguably one of the most underappreciated players of all time.
A career .305 hitter, of course the all time HR champ, he never hit more than 49 home runs in a season. All-time RBI leader, all-time total bases leader (by a massive 700+ over #2)...and did anyone else know that he had 3,771 hits?
Hank Aaron is truly one of our all-time greats, and the fact he is so consistenly overlooked in the history of baseball is a true travesty.
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<< <i>On this day in 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run, passing Babe Ruth.
The fact that I haven't seen or heard any mention of this further supports my thought that Aaron is arguably one of the most underappreciated players of all time.
A career .305 hitter, of course the all time HR champ, he never hit more than 49 home runs in a season. All-time RBI leader, all-time total bases leader (by a massive 700+ over #2)...and did anyone else know that he had 3,771 hits?
Hank Aaron is truly one of our all-time greats, and the fact he is so consistenly overlooked in the history of baseball is a true travesty. >>
Thanks. As a true baseball buff, I even forgot about this date. I hadn't heard it either today while watching the games and surfing the web pages. Thanks again for the notice. I think he is consistenly overlooked due to his consistency. Oh well, his legacy will live forever.
Remember these Chuck Norris Facts
1. When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down
2. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, Chuck Norris can actually roundhouse kick you yesterday
3. There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
The New York Yankees - Todays in History
1996 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 23rd World Championship
1998 - The New Yankees were on their way to their RECORD BREAKING 125 Win 24th World Championship
1999 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 25th World Championship
2000 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 26th World Championship
2005 - The New Yankees ARE on their way to their 27th World Championship
Thank you. And now a word from your sponsor. Axtell Rose.
<< <i>Watch the braves mets game tonite. they will mention it plenty im sure! >>
Just seems strange the greatest HR hitter in the history of MLB hasn't even garnered a mention is all...with the death threats he endured, simply amazing.
Tim Kurkjian has a great article up regarding this:
Article Link
Nice to agree with you on a great subject Axtell.
Hank Aaron is a true baseball hero to many of us. I can remember watching the game when he broke the record. Wish I still had the #1 card from that year showing him as the HR King. He is an example of a classy player who cared about his image in the public and fought many battles that paved the way for today's players. Another I can think of is Clemente.
I do not have children but I hope that parents out there point to men and women athletes like Aaron when teaching their kids about how to play.
If records included a social criteria in addition to the statistic it is possible that Hank would never see his record eclipsed.
Maybe today is the anniversary of one of the last real records broken. At least for the time being until baseball and other sports get back to basics and figure out how to play the games in a clean atmosphere. The human aspect and urge to seek advantage will always be there, but hopefully we can get the drug aspect out.
Thanks again for the throwback.
Keith
It was a different time then. It was more about the game and less about celebrity, chest-thumping, raising the roof and long home runs shown relentlessly on ESPN. It was about a shy right fielder who quietly snuck up on 700 home runs by blasting a record 245 of them after turning 35. He first passed Mays, which wasn't greeted warmly everywhere because some people thought it should be Mays, not Aaron, to break Ruth's amazing record.
<< <i>The New York Yankees - Todays in History
1996 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 23rd World Championship
1998 - The New Yankees were on their way to their RECORD BREAKING 125 Win 24th World Championship
1999 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 25th World Championship
2000 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 26th World Championship
2005 - The New Yankees ARE on their way to their 27th World Championship
Thank you. And now a word from your sponsor. Axtell Rose. >>
Spammy, you can't even take a second to honor one of the greatest players ever, just because he didn't sell his soul to play in yankee pinstripes?
Goes to show you are only a fan of the yanks because they have won so many championships, and not a fan of baseball.
Bandwagoner.
Bandwagoner, youngest son of Lyle Waggoner
Linky
<<Goes to show you are only a fan of the yanks because they have won so many championships, and not a fan of baseball.>>
LOL. Yes, Aaron's Anniversary should be recognized. I bet I have more baseball fandom in my pinky then you have in your entire body. I just like to toy with you.
<< <i>The New York Yankees - Todays in History
1996 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 23rd World Championship
1998 - The New Yankees were on their way to their RECORD BREAKING 125 Win 24th World Championship
1999 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 25th World Championship
2000 - The New Yankees were on their way to their 26th World Championship
2005 - The New Yankees ARE on their way to their 27th World Championship
Thank you. And now a word from your sponsor. Axtell Rose. >>
And a major reason Hank gets no respect..........it's because he didn't play for the Yankees. Actually, there is some truth to my sarcastic comment.
Remember these Chuck Norris Facts
1. When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up, he's pushing the Earth down
2. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, Chuck Norris can actually roundhouse kick you yesterday
3. There are no such things as lesbians, just women who have not yet met Chuck Norris
Honor "Hammering Hank" as a true fan of the game. That's all that counts.
<< <i>Let's not overdo it. Hank's 715 was not a crucial landmark in history, like the assasination of Martin Luther King, Lincoln, JFK... or even Jackie Robinson's entry to MLB. What do you expect?? I don't see any annual regalia commemorating the elipsing of other baseball records. This should not be viewed as a negative to the man's accomplishments. It only puts it in the proper perspective of life and world events.....which we sometimes loose track of as sports fans.
>>
Who was talking about history? I was speaking about in terms of sports history. Who was comparing it to assasinations? And as far as other baseball records, what other record is more celebrated in all of sports history that the HR mark? Look how much fanfare MLB hyped up McG and Sosa's chasing 60? The HR mark is the most revered in all of baseball history.
Say what you may about Aaron, the man deserves his due...I fear that he is being looked over because MLB wants to draw attention away from the steroid abuse.
Wow, I think we agree. Maybe you will become a spammer too.
Hank has become pretty private over the last few years. Maybe he doesn't want to make a big thing out of it.
<< <i>The HR mark is the most revered in all of baseball history. >>
Dang, Ax, you've gotten downright brilliant!! In my childhood, 714 was a magical number (so was 60, for that matter). I advise anyone who thinks otherwise to watch "The Sandlot." I was a senior in college when the Hammer broke that record. It didn't change history, but, baby, was it ever special!! The Babe stood (and still stands) on a mountaintop. That Aaron could get up there was just amazing for guys like me. If anybody wants to talk about "history changing events" there are plenty of other blogs--I think Aaron is an incredible athlete. Maybe the idea of records doesn't mean as much as it used to, what with records being broken every other day, but I remember clearly certain events: Maris breaking 60, Aaron breaking 714, Mac breaking 61--those things are fantastic, IMO. Jeez, it's been 31 years since the Hammer broke that record, and we're still waiting for somebody to come close. These men are artists, so I say, let's pay them their due.
<< <i>Hank has become pretty private over the last few years. Maybe he doesn't want to make a big thing out of it. >>
I thought of that too...and I'm not saying they need to bring him out on the field or anything, but so little mention of it today just shocked me is all.
I think he's a great role model of what an athlete should be...and its a shame he'e not more celebrated.
Link To Scanned 1952 Topps Cards Set is now 90% Complete Plus Slideshows of the 52 Set
Oh, by the way Axtell - I viewed your spiritual leader, Bill Maher, take a big swipe at all us baseball card collectors on his show last night. During his "New Rules" segment entiled "Topps and Bottoms" he stated that (paraphrazed) --- "Kids collecting baseball cards of their idols is OK...but grown men are collecting pictures of other grown men." You still a devout Marist?? Regards.
And his point about grown men collecting pictures of other grown men...is 100% true. Think about it. Regardless of your reasons for collecting baseball cards (I did too once), you are collecting little pieces of cardboard with other men's pictures on them. That is his point.
The truth hurts sometimes.
Bill Maher for President!!
About Hank Aaron...I hope WHEN BALCO Bonds breaks his record he DOES NOT attend the game and greet Bonds at home plate and shake his hand.....or any other ceremony that MLB has planned. I really hope he doesn't do it....but I know he will. They will pay him enough to forget about it and show up and be the good lap dog.
That, to me, will be the worst part of this whole homerun chase with Bonds.
Please stay home Hammerin' Hank...stay home....no better way to show your disgust for a guy who cheated to break your record.
Stay home.
<< <i>
Oh, by the way Axtell - I viewed your spiritual leader, Bill Maher, take a big swipe at all us baseball card collectors on his show last night. During his "New Rules" segment entiled "Topps and Bottoms" he stated that (paraphrazed) --- "Kids collecting baseball cards of their idols is OK...but grown men are collecting pictures of other grown men." You still a devout Marist?? Regards. >>
Hmm who would I rather listen to? Someone of high intellect, obviously able to question the establishment, or should I follow a fictional movie character who solves his problems with a gun (yes, that's you Dirty Harry).
See unlike you, who I am sure follows, lives, and breathes everything that Dubya does, it's actually quite healthy to voice your displeasure and disapproval of your government. Hell, it's what this country was founded upon. But devout right-wingers like you would call 'unpatriot!' to anyone who dares to voice their disagreement with the current administration. Also, it's typical of your side to drag politics into EVERY SINGLE debate, ever.
No, Bill Maher is not my spiritual leader. I simply agree with a good number of his points. That make me a Marist? Ok, I would rather be a Marist any day of the week than a Bushie like you Dirty Harry.
And to an outsider, how ridiculous is it for grown men to still be collecting baseball cards? Obviously I disagree with him here...so what? Just because you are a fan of someone (be it a political speaker, comedian, baseball player), doesn't mean you are going to agree with every single thing that comes out of his or her mouth.
And one last thing...when did I EVER state that it should have been the leading story in the news? I simply was astonished that there had been little to no mention of it in the SPORTS media. I guess firing off that gun of yours all these years has clouded your reading ability, DirtyHarry?
What happened Little Axie...everybody didn't high five you and agree on your post topic? Like most of your posts, you go on and on and make stuff up. You throw your little hissy fits when you are disagreed with.
I have no major objection to BM poking fun at card collectors. The sexual inference on his part was not needed. He could have been funny without it.
As for Hank - he is one of my all time favorites and will always remain so. Just get over it.
<< <i>
Like most of your posts, you go on and on and make stuff up. You throw your little hissy fits when you are disagreed with.
>>
Really? I think you are the one making things up at this point. I'd like you to show me ANY post where I've gone 'on make stuff up'.
Man I really wish there was an 'ignore user' button on this messageboard.
<< <i>
Bill Maher for President!!
>>
So that means you want Al Franken for his running mate.
Link To Scanned 1952 Topps Cards Set is now 90% Complete Plus Slideshows of the 52 Set
<< <i>
<< <i>
Bill Maher for President!!
>>
So that means you want Al Franken for his running mate. >>
Would be better than the corrupt adminstration we currently have, that's for sure.
Good thing we took care of Iraq, and all the oil flowing in...should make gas really affordable huh? Oh wait, it was just a plot by Bush and his cronies to further control the flow of oil in the world. Combined with the Saudis, Bush and Co. have driven oil companies to even further profits.
<< <i>And his point about grown men collecting pictures of other grown men...is 100% true. Think about it. Regardless of your reasons for collecting baseball cards (I did too once), you are collecting little pieces of cardboard with other men's pictures on them. That is his point. >>
Collecting coins is collecting pictures of men except they're not on cardboard.