120 Comments

Glad you are feeling better

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I delight in reading your essays and this one is especially moving, since, far too many young people playing in neighborhood leagues around the country are still unaware that Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record. Part of the reason for that is the social media content they feverishly follow generally omit this huge triumph. Thank you for thinking of him and sharing.

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I’m smiling ! What an exciting day and memory! Thanks⚾️

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That was wonderful to watch. And I am not a sports fan. This gave me the smiles you intended. I watch all your Saturday Smiles and my world is broadened.

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Loved this! My wish is that Atlanta would honor Hank Aaron and respect Native Americans by changing their name and logo (and stop the tomahawk chant) to the Atlanta Hammers!

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Thanks, Dan, for the memories. I was a fairly new CPA and we took a hospital client (two Franciscan Sisters of the Poor nuns) to a Reds/Braves game. Hank tied the Babe's record during that game. I can still picture that ball going by us in left field (I think). Still have the ticket stub from that game. The whole stadium was abuzz for quite awhile when he tied the record.

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So inspiring, thank you!

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Hi Dan. I was your CBS Radio engineer for many years. Here is a 'baseball on the radio' sales promo I made 20 years ago. It includes Milo Hamilton's call of Hank's 715th HR. Enjoy.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dn9L18KVCRzSQwyQRl7_urWd-yYpY_IC/view?usp=sharing

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The Home Run !

Hank Aaron was certainly one of the greatest hitters ever yet I marvel at any player who smacks one out of the park ! Over the years I have had a goal to attend every major league ballpark in the country. I’ve been very fortunate to see almost all now. Much of the magic of the park is the different people you share the experience with. Most of the happiest strangers you’ll ever meet. I’m a FL Marlin fan if I have to pick a side but if anyone , and I mean anyone knocks one out of the park I got to stand up and cheer ! Especially if the crowd gets silent at the crack of the bat and the fielders stand motionless as the ball sails over the fence !! Baseball magic.

The Home Run.

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Thanks!

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See on YouTube: "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream," a 1995 documentary posted by DeafRoweTV. The prejudice of some white people against black people is mindbogglingly irrational. Aaron had to brave death threats simply because he excelled at playing a ball game. How could these white people's egos be so fragile that they viewed Aaron's ability to hit balls over the fence not as a marvel but as a threat?

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Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record on Monday, April 8, 1974, not on August 4th. Our son was born just a few hours later on April 9, 1974. There are some things seared into this momma’s brain.

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Thanks...again! DAN

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Thanks for this great video!

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Mr. Rather, I read your commentary on Hank Aaron, it was wonderful.

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Thank you for this. I came out of the womb a baseball fan. For me baseball is life, not because I'm such a die heart fan but because the season is long enough to be successful, fall down, pick yourself up and succeed. Besides, using old school stats, I tell people that the best hitters in the game hit about .300. That means they made an our 2 out of 3 times. Learn from that.

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