Hank Aaron rose above racist hate mail and threats in pursuit of Ruth's home run record 50 years ago
Former teammates, Braves executives and family members remember Hank Aaron's unwavering strength despite receiving racist hate mail and threats during his pursuit of Babe Ruth's home run record
ATLANTA (AP) — Hank Aaron refused to be intimidated by racist hate mail or threats during his pursuit of Babe Ruth's home run record.
Aaron's teammates, including Dusty Baker, worried on his behalf even as the future Hall of Famer circled the bases following his record-breaking 715th homer on April 8, 1974. Baker, who was on deck, and Tom House, who caught the homer in the Atlanta bullpen behind the left-field wall, will return Monday for the 50-year anniversary of the homer.
After sprinting from the bullpen to deliver the ball to Aaron at home plate, House found Aaron's mother giving the slugger a big hug.
“You could see both of them with tears in their eyes,” House told The Associated Press. “... It was a mother and son. Obviously, that was cool. It was also mom protecting her boy from at that time everybody thought somebody would actually try to shoot him at home plate.
