photo credit: history.com
The first man to break Babe Ruth’s home run record is dead. Hank Aaron passed away today at the age of 86. He made his Major League debut with the then-Milwaukee Braves and played primarily for the Atlanta Braves during his 23-year career. Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record of 714 home runs on April 8, 1974. He finished his career with 755 total home runs.
Aaron was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame 1982. To this day, he remains baseball’s runs batted in leader with 2,297 and total base leader with 6,856. Following his retirement, he worked in several roles as an executive in the Braves organization.
Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton called Aaron’s 715th home run while the voice of the Atlanta Braves: