We were talking about celebrity birthdays yesterday, and among those listed was Hank Aaron.
Hammerin’ Hank turned 80 yesterday and no discussion of Hank Aaron can be considered complete without touching on Monday April 8, 1974.
That was the night Aaron touched Dodgers pitcher Al Downing for his 715th career homer, which allowed the Atlanta slugger to become baseball’s all time leader in home runs
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That’s the call from Dodgers radio & Vin Scully.
There’s a lot of neat moments and memories rolled into that homer, hit almost 40 years ago.
First, April 8th was a Monday night, and in an era before cable, satellite and baseball all day-every day, that meant the Braves and Dodgers were on Monday Night Baseball.
Two, listening to Scully’s call, I was fascinated to hear the Dodger outfielder giving chase was Bill Buckner, who participated in at least two of the most memorable moments in baseball.
And finally, Vin Scully’s call of the record is chilling. After Aaron delivered the record setting blow, Vin Scully said nothing.
Only the sounds of the ballpark were heard for the next 100 seconds, which is an eternity in broadcasting, yet Scully was aware of the moment and let it unfold without his narrative.
Finally he followed with…………………
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Happy 80th birthday, Hank Aaron.
I’m Fred Wallace