This historic photograph captures the moment that Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers served up a pitch that Hank Aaron blasted to left field for Aaron’s record-breaking Home Run #715, on April 8, 1974— surpassing Babe Ruth on the all-time list.
Personally hand-signed and inscribed by Al Downing, in bright silver paint-pen, Downing has written “#715”. Beneath that, he has added “4/8/74”, the date of Aaron’s legendary home run. And, he has signed “Al Downing”.
This historic photograph comes freshly framed in a deep blue gallery-style frame, with three layers of custom matting in crisp white, cobalt blue and gold— an elegant and striking presentation piece. Framed size measures 21-1/4” in height x 17-1/4” width x 3/4” depth.
The photograph bears numbered authenticating holograms from Fanatics Authentic and Major League Baseball (MLB), both of which are registered in their respective online certification databases. Included are the Fanatics Authentic Hologram Verification document, a copy of the online Fanatics Authenticity Verification, and a copy of the online MLB Verification.
HENRY “HANK” AARON finished the 1973 season with 713 career home runs, then waited all winter for his appointment with destiny.
Destiny came in 1974. After sitting out the Braves’ second game of the three-game set with the Reds on April 6, 1974, Aaron returned to the lineup April 7 and went 0-for-3, setting the stage for the Braves’ first home game of the year the following night against the Dodgers.
Aaron drew a walk leading off the bottom of the second inning, leaving the sellout crowd of 53,775 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium restless. Aaron quickly scored on a double by Dusty Baker, giving the Braves a 1-0 lead. The Dodgers, who would go on to win the National League pennant in 1974, took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third inning. A single by Downing scored the soon-to-be 1974 NL Most Valuable Player, Steve Garvey, who was batting seventh that night, with the Dodgers’ first run. Downing and Davey Lopes later scored on a double by Jim Wynn to make it 3-1.
But in the bottom of the fourth, Darrell Evans reached on an error by Dodgers shortstop Bill Russell to lead off the frame. Aaron followed by hitting a 1-0 pitch from Downing over the left-centerfield wall to tie the game – and surpass Ruth.
“He’s sitting on 714,” said Braves broadcaster Milo Hamilton right before one of the most famous swings in baseball history. “Here’s the pitch by Downing. Swinging. Here’s a drive into left center field. That ball is gonna be … outta here! It’s gone! It’s 715! There’s a new home run champion of all time, and it’s Henry Aaron.”
ALPHONSO “BIG AL” DOWNING (born 1941) played in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1961 through 1977. Downing was an All Star in 1967 and earned the National League's Comeback Player of the Year award in 1971.
HENRY “HANK” AARON (1934–2021), nicknamed “Hammer” or “Hammerin' Hank”, played the position of right fielder, and played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1954 through 1976. Widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in history, he spent 21 seasons with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves in the National League (NL) and two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League (AL).
His 755 career home runs broke the long-standing MLB record set by Babe Ruth and stood as the most for 33 years; Aaron still holds many other MLB batting records. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is one of only two players to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked Aaron fifth on its list of the “100 Greatest Baseball Players”. In 1982, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.