Looking ahead to "an American event of the 20th century," once regarded as a baseball moment in Georgia

It is the only photo from my decades of Atlanta media work hanging in my home. 

Thirty years ago, Governor Miller was out of town, and as the weeknight sports anchor at WAGA-TV I was asked to present the state proclamation to Hank Aaron, on the 20th anniversary of #715.

The 1994 gathering was a mostly nondescript DeKalb County luncheon of grilled chicken, iced tea and empty chairs. 

About two years prior to his death, I spent time with Mr. Aaron in the Braves clubhouse conducting a long-form interview for local television. 

I brought along the photo, pointing to it. “Do you remember this event? The DeKalb luncheon?”

We both laughed heartily,

Mr Aaron said, “Do you have a sharpie? I need to sign it.”

More laughs.

“To Jeff, Best Wishes Hank Aaron”

RELATED: WATCH Hank Aaron Funeral Service

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the immortal Aaron breaking the mythical home run mark of Babe Ruth on a chilly Atlanta night, the historic moment gives pause. 

The anniversary of #715 has only grown in importance to Atlanta. Next week the commemoration will most certainly have a reverential tone. 

For many years, we looked at the anniversary as more of a baseball moment.

The passage of time has shown April 8, 1974 to be an American event of the 20th century, with a deeper acknowledgment of its significance. 

Caption

"The anniversary of #715 has only grown in importance to Atlanta. Next week the commemoration will most certainly have a reverential tone."

Credit: Courtesy of MLB

The Los Angeles Times shared an Atlanta story about #715: “Mr. Aaron cautioned his Braves teammates to sit away from him on the bench because of death threats. The sports editor at the time of the Atlanta Journal, Lewis Grizzard, planned extensive coverage of the day the homer was hit. He also had a staffer write an Aaron obit, just in case.”

The racial vitriol, the hate cards, letters, columnists, [former Major League Baseball Commissioner] Bowie Kuhn - all still difficult to comprehend. 

The anniversary has evolved the last 50 years, not only in Atlanta, but across the country. And with Mr. Aaron’s death, an understanding that #715 is larger than sport. 

RELATED: Weeks away from the 50th anniversary of 715, the Braves' winning pitcher takes us to home plate that night

Pitcher Ron Reed started for the Braves, April 8, 1974, versus the Dodgers.

“I agree with you Jeff, it is different (The anniversary) now, there is a greater appreciation for the history, and for the man. Time has a way of creating perspective.”

Reed has teamed with writer Randy Cox for a book entitled "715 at 50" (available on Amazon). There are many photos from the game included.

“I watched him play every day. It was a gift. A treat. Icing on the cake of my career. A great memory and a great teammate.”

50 years ago, Atlantan Bob Hope was the Braves public relations director. “This is an opportunity to celebrate Hank as a person beyond racial tensions or public scrutiny of hitting home runs," he noted.

The appreciation of Mr. Aaron’s life grows. 

“His death,” added Hope, a longtime friend, “is a reminder of our own mortality. The anniversary makes him very human.”

After Mr. Aaron signed our DeKalb luncheon photo from 1994, I cracked: “Me presenting the proclamation - they should have at least brought down Bob Costas.”

The great man laughed. “It all worked out.”