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Braves Hall of Famer Hank Aaron turns 85

Former Hall of Fame right fielder and current senior vice president of the Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. Numerous celebrations in Aaron’s honor are planned, including a new bronze statue at SunTrust Park, a ceremony at the old Turner Field site, and his 83rd birthday dinner gala. (DAVID BARNES / DAVID.BARNES@AJC.COM)
Former Hall of Fame right fielder and current senior vice president of the Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 30, 2017. Numerous celebrations in Aaron’s honor are planned, including a new bronze statue at SunTrust Park, a ceremony at the old Turner Field site, and his 83rd birthday dinner gala. (DAVID BARNES / DAVID.BARNES@AJC.COM)
By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Feb 5, 2019

Braves Hall of Famer Hank Aaron turns 85 today.

It’s a big year for Hammerin’ Hank. 2019 also marks the 45th anniversary of hitting home run No. 715, which allowed Aaron to pass Babe Ruth’s career record that had stood since 1935.

At 9:07 p.m. on April 8, 1974, Aaron hit a 1-0 fastball off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Al Downing into the left-center field bullpen at Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium. The game stopped for 11 minutes as the crowd of 53,775 celebrated the achievement.

Aaron ended his career in 1976 with 755 home runs.

Today, Aaron continues to be celebrated. A bronze likeness of Aaron and other tributes to his Hall of Fame career are fixtures of the Braves' SunTrust Park.

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