By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher | The year was 1973, and Hank Aaron was chasing Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs. That was exciting, with some thinking perhaps Aaron would tie the record in the last home stand of that season. At the time, he had hit No. 712.
Living in Athens that September, someone got my son and me tickets to the Atlanta Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 29, 1973 as the Braves closed their season.
While we all remember the historic 715th home run in 1974, we also remember number 713. Aaron hit 713 off Houston Astros’ Jerry Reuss. True to life to an Aaron home run, it was another line drive, sailing over the Braves’ bullpen fence.
But alas, Aaron hit only that one home run that night. Later my son got Aaron’s dad’s autograph!
Aaron in 1974.
This weekend we read a story by Ron Kantowski in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He wrote that Aaron, “While facing Curt Simmons in 1965, hit the ball onto the pavilion roof at old Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis — only to be called out by home plate umpire Chris Pelekoudas for stepping out of the batter’s box.” He added that that would mean that the 1973 No. 713 would have been 714, had it not been for that 1965 denied home run in St. Louis.
We also remember another Aaron story fondly, from the 1969 season, when the Braves won their division title and played the New York Mets in Atlanta, only to lose three straight games and get knocked out of the World Series. We were living in South Georgia then, but got two tickets to a game. However, I was a little disappointed in our tickets. That didn’t worry my son, saying: “But we’ll be sitting right behind Hank Aaron in right field.”
Henry Aaron: 1934-2021: May you rest in peace.
The Biden inauguration was beautiful in so many ways. Happily, though cold, it was able to be held outside, though in an unusual spaced-out circumstance to a limited crowd.
The 46th president spoke beautifully of hope and healing. Did you notice the overtones of religion at several instances and references to “Amazing Grace?” Taking the oath on a massive family Bible was another touch. This focus was especially telling in these otherwise chilling times.
And when Lady Gaga sang the National Anthem, at one point her inflection in the words had the man behind her (who we did not recognize) nodding in agreement. That touched me.
Several people we’ve talked with told of shedding more than one tear during the ceremony. That will include us, too.
Some pundits are saying that Joe Biden’s inaugural address was the best that they have heard from a new president. It was a great day to begin the healing for our country.
With church for us limited to Zoom, and our congregation not having been together for nearly a year, some creative people came up with the idea of having a Zoom gala. At first, I didn’t think much of the idea. But we registered and “sailed” on the USS (for Stewardship) Resilient.
It turned out that the 1.5 hour virtual gala was most enjoyable, allowed church members to gab and tell stories about one another as we watched and talked to each other on our monitors. We suspect others had fun at it, too. We played bingo, got tips on making drinks and snacks, won prizes, and saw performances by our Church Players from earlier recordings. If your church wants to put on such a bash, we can happily refer you to our creative group.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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