“Hammerin’ Hank Hits “715”” and “Waltrip vs. Petty,” - This Day in History – Apr 8th

Hank Aaron sets record at 715 home runs

Back in 1974, Hank Aaron, the right fielder for the Atlanta Braves sets a new record in home runs and thus breaks Babe Ruth’s record with a total of 715.  

History.com stated that, “Season after season, Aaron turned in strong batting performances: “Hammerin’ Hank” hit .300 or higher for 14 seasons and slugged at least 40 homers in eight separate seasons. In May 1970, he became the first player in baseball to record 500 homers and 3,000 hits. Aaron played for the Milwaukee Braves from 1954 to 1965 and then moved with the team to Atlanta in 1966. On February 29, 1972, the Braves signed Aaron to a three-year, $200,000 per year contract that made him baseball’s best-paid player. In November 1974, the Braves traded Aaron to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he spent the final two seasons of his career.” 

“Aaron retired from baseball in 1976 with 755 career home runs, a record that stood until August 7, 2007, when it was broken by Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants. Aaron still holds the records for most career runs batted in (2,297), most career total bases (6,856) and most career extra base hits (1,477). After retiring as a player, Aaron became one of baseball’s first black executives, with the Atlanta Braves. In 1982, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.”

Waltrip vs. Petty in Rebel 500

Back in 1979, two automobile racing rivals competed at the Rebel 500 at South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway, Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty.  During a battle around the final laps the racers swapped their leads four times before Waltrip was victorious and thus won the checkered flag. 

According to history.com, “At the time of his defeat by Waltrip at the Rebel 500, Richard Petty was a NASCAR legend. That same year, he won his seventh NASCAR championship, a record later duplicated by just one other driver, Dale Earnhardt (1951-2001). Petty, who was born on July 2, 1937, in Level Cross, North Carolina, is the son of driver Lee Petty (1914-2000), a three-time NASCAR champ who won the first Daytona 500 in 1959. Richard Petty began his own NASCAR career in 1958 and was a dominant competitor before retiring in the early 1990s. Nicknamed "The King," Petty won a record 200 races in his career, including a record seven victories at the Daytona 500. Petty's son Kyle (1960- ) also became a well-known NASCAR driver; his grandson Adam (1980-2000), NASCAR's first fourth-generation driver, was killed in an accident during a practice session at New Hampshire International Speedway.” 

“Darrell Waltrip, who was born on February 5, 1947, in Owensboro, Kentucky, began racing in NASCAR's Winston Cup Series (now known as the Sprint Cup) in 1972. Aggressive and outspoken, Waltrip earned the nickname "Jaws." He won the Winston Cup championship in 1981, 1982 and 1985 and claimed victory at the Daytona 500 in 1989. After retiring as a competitor, Waltrip became a race commentator. His younger brother Michael Waltrip (1963- ) is a two-time Daytona 500 winner.”

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/waltrip-beats-petty-in-last-lap-thriller?catId=17