Henry Aaron finished the 1973 season with 713 career home runs, then waited all winter for his appointment with destiny.

In Aaron-like, workmanlike fashion, the Braves slugger quickly ended the drama just four games into the 1974 campaign.

On April 8, 1974, Aaron’s fourth-inning home run off the Dodgers’ Al Downing gave him 715 for his career and sent him past Babe Ruth on baseball’s all-time list. The homer came on the heels of an Opening Day blast against the Reds’ Jack Billingham that left Aaron tied with Ruth

Aaron’s historic moment came during the fourth inning of the Braves’ home opener, when Aaron sent Dodgers starter Al Downing’s high fastball sailing into Atlanta’s bullpen. The 53,775 fans at Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium erupted as Aaron rounded the bases and met his teammates and parents at home plate