Hank Aaron’s last at bat with the Atlanta Braves is a home run (October 2, 1974)

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1974, Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Brewers, October 2

October 2, 1974 was a sad day for Atlanta Braves fans. Our only hope, for so many years, after the move from Milwaukee, was Hammerin Hank.

Henry Aaron, in his final at bat for the Braves after spending 21 seasons with the team, homers off right-hander Rawly Eastwick in the 13-0 rout of Cincinnati at Atlanta Stadium. The Hammer’s last National League plate appearance yields his 3600th career hit, which is the Brewer-bound outfielder’s 736 round-tripper career.

He would head back to Milwaukee to finish out his last 2 years. Fitting since that is where he started. Wished he would have stayed in Atlanta.

John Rocker – An amazing closer for the Atlanta Braves but all ruined by an intolerance for others and the rules

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1974, 1993, 1998, 2001, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, John Rocker, June 23, Macon GA, October 17, Steroid

John Rocker – Atlanta Brave

Man, John Rocker could pitch and what a closer he was. John Loy Rocker (born October 17, 1974) is a relief pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves, the Cleveland Indians, the Texas Rangers, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as well as the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He threw left-handed and batted right-handed. He is a native of Macon, Georgia and lives in Atlanta.

In high school, he was a pitcher for First Presbyterian Day School in Macon, Georgia.He threw three no-hitters during his high-school career. He was soon drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 18th round (516th overall) of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft.

In 1998, he was promoted to the major league club. In Rocker’s first season in the Major Leagues, he was 1–3 with a 2.13 ERA in 38 innings pitched. The following year, an injury put Atlanta closer Kerry Ligtenberg on the DL, moving Rocker into the role of closer, where he was 4–5 with 38 saves and a 2.49 ERA. In 2000, he was 1–2 with 24 saves, posting a 2.89 ERA, but in June 2000, Rocker was demoted for threatening a reporter.

John on whether he would ever play for the New York Yankees or the New York Mets.

I’d retire first. It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark looking like you’re riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing… The biggest thing I don’t like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?

Braves fans were initially willing to support him; however, as Rocker received intense taunting from opposing teams’ fans, his pitching performance declined. On June 23, 2001, Rocker, along with minor-league infielder Troy Cameron (Atlanta’s first-round draft pick in 1997), was traded to the Cleveland Indians for right-handed relievers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed, along with cash. 

I abhor the “steroid era” in baseball. In March 2007, Rocker was implicated in a steroid ring that included Applied Pharmacy of Mobile, Alabama. In December 2011, he admitted to using steroids, saying “Yeah, of course I was [using steroids]. I mean who wasn’t? Let’s be honest here, who wasn’t?”

So long to the Braves and so long to what little respect I had left for him. An amazing closer but all ruined by an intolerance for others and the rules.

John Rocker

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	IP	G	GS	R	RA9
1998	23	ATL	NL	38.0	47	0	10	2.37
1999	24	ATL	NL	72.1	74	0	24	2.99
2000	25	ATL	NL	53.0	59	0	25	4.25
2001	26	ATL	NL	32.0	30	0	13	3.66
2001	26	CLE	AL	34.2	38	0	23	5.97
2002	27	TEX	AL	24.1	30	0	19	7.03
2003	28	TBD	AL	1.0	2	0	1	9.00
6 Seasons				255.1	280	0	115	4.05
ATL (4 yrs)				195.1	210	0	72	3.32
TBD (1 yr)				1.0	2	0	1	9.00
TEX (1 yr)				24.1	30	0	19	7.03
CLE (1 yr)				34.2	38	0	23	5.97

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/10/2017.

Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth in Cincinnati, forced to do so by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn (April 4, 1974)

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1974, April 4, Babe Ruth, Cincinnati Reds, Hank Aaron

On April 4, 1974, in front a crowd of 52,000 at Riverfront Stadium on Opening Day in Cincinnati, Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record of 714 by hitting a first-inning two-run homer off Jack Billingham.

The Atlanta front office had considered keeping ‘Hammerin’ Hank’ on the bench during road games so the slugger could try to equal the mark in front of the hometown fans, but commissioner Bowie Kuhn ordered the Braves to put the outfielder into the lineup for at least two of the three games against the Reds.

And so they did. And Hank tied the record in Cincinnati.

But, he saved the best for Atlanta and broke the record there. 

Hank’s rainy night in Georgia (April 8, 1974)

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1974, 715, Al Downing, April 8, Atlanta Braves, Dusty Baker, Hank Aaron

April 8, 2014 was the 40th anniversary of Aaron’s 715th career home run, the one that eclipsed Ruth’s amazing record of 714. In my family, we had all waited for this night. Hammerin’ Hank would finally do it. It was break Babe Ruth’s home run record of 714 home runs. Hank now had 715 and the record.

It was a cold and rainy night. There were three rain delays in that game. They were determined to get the game in.  Hank was not to be deterred. It was going to happen on April 8, 1974.

We have the word of what went on from Dusty Baker, the Braves’ 24-year-old center fielder, who was in the on deck circle. Baker clearly recalls Aaron’s words as he headed toward the plate to face Dodgers veteran Al Downing in the fourth inning.

“Hank told me he was going to do it.Hank was a student of hitting; he always studied pitchers, their tendencies. As he went up to hit, he said, ‘I’m going to get this thing over with right now.’ After he hit it, I didn’t want to go to the plate. I was closer to the catcher and pitcher than anybody, but that was Hank’s moment — a great moment. He earned it.” ~~Dusty Baker

So, Dusty saw it all and waited for his turn at bat. They had a long ceremony honoring Hank.

“After they had the ceremony on the field for him that night, I was the next hitter. I heard the clicking of seats, people leaving, when I went up to hit. It was the coldest night I can remember in Atlanta — and one of the greatest nights of my life.”

Al Downing, the pitcher for the Dodgers, drew the honor of serving up the home run pitch. The first time he faced Hank that night, he walked him. Can’t blame him for that. There is some honor in escaping the evening untarnished. But he couldn’t hide for long. They both wore number 44 that night.

I was first introduced to him by [to Hank byYankees catcher] Elston Howard in Spring Training in 1963, in Florida. “The Braves were in West Palm Beach. I remember Elston introducing us and thinking, ‘This is the nicest, most gracious guy for a superstar.’ Hank never really changed.

I walked him first time up, and everybody booed me. It was the second pitch [in a 1-0 count], and I was trying to get the double play. I wanted to get a fastball down in the strike zone, hoping he’d roll over. It was elevated — and ‘The Hammer’ put the hammer on it. ~~Al Downing

Davey Lopez was playing second base for the Dodgers that evening.

It couldn’t have worked out any better, really. Al is such a secure person, he understood the big picture. It was like when Rickey Henderson was Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th strikeout victim. Rickey embraced it. Al was never bothered at all by being part of Hank’s big moment. ~~Davey Lopez

And so magic happened that night. I remember the joy I felt for Hank. He had done something we thought no one would ever be able to do. He did it for himself but it also did a lot for Atlanta.

The year of the Hammer (1974)

Tags

1974, Cincinnati Reds, Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron – 1974

The off season was all about Hank Aaron. No one could talk about anything else.

He would break the record in 1974. No doubt about it. It was Eddie Matthews last year as manager. Clyde King would end the year as the manager. The Atlanta Braves would end up third in the East with a 88-74 record. 14 games behind was not anything to speak of. But it didn’t seem to matter too much in the year when the Hammer would become the home run King.

The season did start with some controversy though. The Braves would open the season in Cinncinnati. Everyone wanted Hank to hit his record home run in Atlanta. So, they were going to keep Hank out of the line up. Bowie Kuhn had to step in and demand the Hank play.

Hank Aaron and destiny (1974)

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1974, April 4, Atlanta Braves, Babe Ruth, Eddie Matthews, Mike Lum, Ralph Garr

Hank Aaron – 1957

1974 would be Eddie Matthews 3rd and last year as Manager for the Atlanta Braves. On April 4th he made a bold move. It is the National League opener in Cincinnati. He pencils in Hank Aaron into the lineup under the premise that Hank has never hit a home run on opening day. If he does, however, he will tie Babe Ruth‘s home run title but it won’t be at home.

So what were the odds he would do it this time? Hard to know but odds are destined to be broken and of course Hank does. In the first inning with Ralph Garr and Mike Lum on base on his very first swing (there was a 3-1 count), he wacks it out over the left field wall.

And so the record will be broken but will it be in Cincinnati or Atlanta?

John Smoltz first Tommy John pitcher to Hall (2015)

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1974, 1999, 2000, 2015, Atlanta Braves, Hall of Fame, John Smoltz, Tommy John

Tommy John Surgery

Had John Smoltz not received a call from Tommy John in 1999, he might not have gained the distinction of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is officially become the first player inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Smoltz received this call as he attempted to return from this elbow surgery during the 2000 season, one in which his struggles as a starting pitcher transitioned him toward his brief stretch as a dominant closer. His frustration led him to contemplate retirement until he received some motivation from John, whose name is attached to this surgery because of the extended success he had after undergoing it in 1974.

‘I’m telling you, don’t [retire], you’ve got a lot of career left,” Smoltz said. “He was saying he pitched for 11 years [after the surgery] and it motivated me to go through the process. There wasn’t as much history then as there is today. It’s a no-brainer today as far as success rate, and I’m glad for it.”

via John Smoltz first Tommy John pitcher to Hall | MLB.com.

Buzz Capra is released (March 30, 1978)

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1974, 1978, Atlanta Braves, Buzz Capra, March 30, Rotator Cuff

Buzz Capra

On March 30, 1978, at the end of spring training, the Braves release pitcher Buzz Capra, who was trying to make a comeback from a rotator cuff injury suffered in 1975.

In those days, rotator cuff injuries were usually a career-ender for pitchers; Capra had actually succeeded in returning to major league action with the Braves the previous year, but he finished with a poor 5.68 ERA.

For Capra, who had won the National League ERA title for the Braves in 1974, the release marks the end of his major league career.

Hank Aaron – All time home run king (1954 – 1974)

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1934, 1954, 1974, 755, Barry Bonds, February 5, Hank Aaron, Home Run King

Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron played for 20 years with the Braves, first in Milwaukee and then in Atlanta. He started in 1954 and finished in 1974. He was born in Mobile, Alabama on February 5, 1934. At 6-0 and 190 pounds, he didn’t look like a “home run king”.

Now, I know that Barry Bonds broke his record of 755 home runs by hitting 762. I don’t consider it legitimate since we know he took steroids. I’ll leave it at that.

In my mind, it is almost impossible to write Hank Aaron’s name with adding in “home run king” to it. Hank deserves that accolade and I will give it to him.

“There’s a new home run champion of all time, and it’s Henry Aaron!” ~Milo Hamilton (April 8, 1974)

Tags

1974, April 8, Atlanta Braves, Hank Aaron, Milo Hamilton

I loved listening to Milo Hamilton broadcast the Atlanta Braves games. I never enjoyed hearing him so much as this amazing day. I can still hear him announce Hank Aaron’s 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s record.

“Henry Aaron in the second inning walked and scored. He’s sittin’ on 714. Here’s the pitch by Downing. Swinging. There’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!”  – Milo Hamilton, April 8, 1974

Dale Murphy drafted by the Braves (June 5, 1974)

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1974, Dale Murphy, Draft, June 5

Dale Murphy

The June 5. 1974 draft produces just 725 picks‚ the fewest in history‚ and only 300 of these are from the college ranks‚ with the low number blamed on the introduction of aluminum bats this past season.

In the 1st round, with the 5th pick‚ the Braves select Dale Murphy. It is hard to know if they had a clue about the talent they just brought on board. Probably not. What a great pick it ended up being though.

The Padres‚ with their 3rd number-one free-agent pick in 5 years‚ select Brown University SS Bill Almon‚ the TSN College Player of the Year. They had selected him 3 years earlier out of high school‚ but he attended college instead. The Rangers take P Tommy Boggs with the 2nd pick and the Phils follow with prep OF Lonnie Smith. The Angels‚ picking 10th take the ill-fated Mike Miley‚ who quarterbacked LSU to a win in the Orange Bowl. the Tigers take Lance Parrish with the 16th pick‚ the Royals pick prep football star Willie Wilson with the 18th‚ and the Red Sox‚ picking 20th‚ take SS Eddie Ford‚ son of Whitey Ford. Picking next‚ the Dodgers get Rick Sutcliffe.

The Orioles‚ with the 24th pick in round 1 pick Rich Dauer‚ the top player for USC’s championship team; 4 of their other picks will end up in the NFL (QB’s Andy Johnson‚ Steve Bartkowski‚ and John Sciarra‚ and Anthony Davis). The Cards use a pick on the NFL Giants Brad Van Pelt‚ the 5th time he’s been selected. The Twins pick up prep C Butch Wynegar‚ who will make the AL All-star team at age 20.

And so, the Braves added to their roster a future star in 1974. Doesn’t always work out that way.