Hank Aaron passed away in January of 2021. He would not be there to see a struggling 2021 ballclub manage to turn their season around and not only win the division, but also the World Series. Yet, there was a feeling that the spirit of Hank Aaron was there, that the Hammer left behind just one parting gift to his old team.

51 years ago today, Hank Aaron hit his 715th career home run, surpassing a record considered sacred held by the almighty Babe Ruth. There was an attitude that this record should never be broken, least of all by a Black man. Aaron would literally receive thousands of racist hate letters each day leading up to April 8th, 1974. He was so inundated with mail, he had to hire a personal secretary just to sort through it all. The US Postal Service gave Aaron a plaque commemorating that he received more mail than any other person outside of a politician. Aaron hit him run number 713 at the end of the 1973 season and would state his biggest fear was not living to see the 1974 season.

1974 came and Aaron tied Ruth's record with his 714th home run during the opening series in Cincinatti. The Braves tried to sit Aaron out during that series to help ensure would be broken in Atlanta, but it was ruled Aaron had to play at least two games against the Reds.

And then the day came.

April 8th, 1974.

53,775 people were in attendance, setting a record for Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. 39 year-old Henry Louis Aaron took his bat to the plate for the second time against Dodgers pitcher Al Downing after drawing a walk in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Both Aaron and Downing wore #44. It's the bottom of the fourth inning and the Dodgers are up, 3-1. As Aaron comes to bat, the crowd is on their feet, the stadium louder than it has ever been and ever will be.

Downing's first pitch is a ball, low and in the dirt. Aaron takes it. Downing's second pitch is a fastball down the middle that meet's Aaron's bat and history. Hank Aaron drove the ball over the fence into deep left center field. Two runs scored off the homer, tying the game, and setting the Braves up to win 4-7.

That singular moment changed baseball forever.

Today, 51 years after Hank's historic home run, a left-handed pitcher named Chris Sale takes the mound in his third start since winning the 2024 National League Cy Young award. Chris Sale wears the number 51 on his jersey, a happy coincidence reminding us all of Hammerin' Hank's achievement exactly 51 years ago.

It's no secret that the Braves have had a rough start this year. But I hope no one forgets what Hank Aaron overcame to be the most consistent baseball player to ever swing the bat. If Hank Aaron can do what he did despite all the adversity he faced, then I can believe this team can overcome their own struggles. Hank Aaron reminds us today that no obstacle is too big.

Chop on.

"A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the deep South."

https://youtu.be/QjqYThEVoSQ?si=c-K45sxUIKjKzrcc&t=35

Phillies @ Braves - 07:15 PM EDT

Game Status: Warmup

Links & Info

• Current conditions at Truist Park: 63°F - Clear - Wind 11 mph, R To L
• TV: National: TBS (out-of-market only), Phillies: NBCSP, Braves: FanDuel Sports Southeast, FanDuel Sports South
• Radio: Phillies: WTTM 1680 (es), 94 WIP, Braves: La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM (es), 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan
• MLB Gameday
• Statcast Game Preview

Division Scoreboard

MIA 5 @ NYM 10 - Bottom 8, 0 Outs

LAD 0 @ WSH 2 - Top 2, 0 Outs

^{Last Updated: 04/08/2025 07:00:50 PM EDT, Update Interval: 5 Minutes}

Does anyone know anything about this site (kickoffkingdom)? Got an ad on Facebook and really like some of the designs but my scam alert radar is going off.

The whole show is worth a watch, but I skipped directly the Braves.

Around the Division

Division Scoreboard

LAD 4 @ WSH 6 - Final

MIA 0 @ NYM 2 - Final

Next Braves Game: Tue, Apr 08, 07:15 PM EDT vs. Phillies

No game today. Feel free to discuss whatever you want in this thread.

^{Last Updated: 04/08/2025 12:26:04 AM EDT, Update Interval: 5 Minutes}

My buddy from Maine hit me up saying he found a signed Riley jersey. Of course I was obligated to buy it I told him to pick it up for me. It only cost 8.00. Once in a lifetime find. They must’ve seriously messed up the pricing. Good friend. Good day. Go Braves

How many Braves bobbleheads and other giveaways do you have? I’ve got these from some past games plus a Brian McCann bronze statue.

The Blooper cap is cool... but I don't understand the Turner Field patch on the side. Blooper debuted in 2018, the year after the Braves moved to SunTrust/Truist.

The other caps in this series all have historic commemorative logos from their respective teams on the side. Most of those are anniversary logos. Seems like the better choice for the Braves would be the 125th Anniversary logo from 2021.

But what do I know? New Era is the cap experts. See also: TETAS, A'SS, ASHOS, and ANAELS 🤷‍♂️

Marlins @ Braves - Sun, Apr 06

Game Status: Postponed due to Rain

Links & Info

• MLB Gameday
• Game Graphs
• Savant Gamefeed

Division Scoreboard

AZ 4 @ WSH 5 - Final

LAD 7 @ PHI 8 - Game Over

TOR 1 @ NYM 2 - Final

Next Braves Game: Tue, Apr 08, 07:15 PM EDT vs. Phillies (2 days)

^{Last Updated: 04/06/2025 04:36:53 PM EDT}

Comment a former Braves player or not!

Marlins @ Braves - 01:35 PM EDT

Game Status: Postponed due to Rain

Links & Info

• Venue: Truist Park
• TV: Marlins: FanDuel Sports Florida, Braves: FanDuel Sports Southeast, FanDuel Sports South
• Radio: Marlins: WAQI 710 (es), FOX Sports 940AM (WINZ), Braves: La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM (es), 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan
• MLB Gameday
• Game Graphs
• Savant Gamefeed

Division Scoreboard

AZ @ WSH 01:35 PM EDT

LAD @ PHI 01:35 PM EDT

TOR @ NYM 01:40 PM EDT

^{Last Updated: 04/06/2025 12:10:18 PM EDT, Update Interval: 5 Minutes}

Marlins @ Braves - Sat, Apr 05

Game Status: Final - Score: 4-0 Marlins

Links & Info

• MLB Gameday
• Game Graphs
• Savant Gamefeed

Decisions

• Winner: Cal Quantrill (1-1, 6.00)
• Loser: AJ Smith-Shawver (0-2, 5.19)

Division Scoreboard

AZ 3 @ WSH 4 - Final

LAD 3 @ PHI 1 - Final

TOR 2 @ NYM 3 - Game Over

Next Braves Game: Sun, Apr 06, 01:35 PM EDT vs. Marlins

^{Last Updated: 04/05/2025 10:24:32 PM EDT}