715

Hank Aaron entered the 1974 season one home run behind Babe Ruth's career total of 714, a record that had stood for nearly four decades and that many believed would never be broken. As Aaron closed in on it through the final months of 1973, he received an enormous volume of hate mail and death threats from people opposed to a Black player surpassing Ruth, serious enough that the Braves arranged personal security for him and his family.

On 8 April 1974, in front of his home crowd at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Aaron drove a pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Al Downing over the left-field fence for career home run number 715. Two fans ran onto the field and briefly joined him rounding the bases as Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, sensing the moment's weight, let the roar of the crowd play out on air before speaking.

Aaron finished his career with 755 home runs, a mark that stood until Barry Bonds passed it in 2007. Beyond the number itself, 715 is remembered as a moment when open, public racism collided with a genuinely historic sporting achievement, and Aaron's calm dignity through both is central to how the record is remembered.