Lot # 784: 1973 Hank Aaron Typed Signed Letter on Braves Letterhead with Pursuit of MLB Home Run Record Content

History was in the making when Hank Aaron signed the offered piece of correspondence. Dated June 8, 1973, this typed letter signed appears on a sheet of Atlanta Braves team letterhead. In this letter, Aaron responds to well wishes from a devoted South Carolina fan. The second of two paragraphs includes the statement "As the so called "countdown" begins, please be assured I will try to live up to the expectations of my friends.".

The "countdown" is obviously a reference to Aaron's pursuit of "Babe" Ruth's MLB all-time home run record of 714, which he went on to pass ten months after the date of this letter. Aaron belted 40 homers in 392 at-bats during the 1973 season, bringing his career total to 713, setting the table for his dramatic record-breaking blast on April 8, 1974. A check of the Braves 1973 schedule shows Aaron at home facing the St. Louis Cardinals at the time he sent this letter. Aaron must have enjoyed the positive energy derived from this correspondence, as the next day he belted two home runs during an 8-2 win on June 9, 1973.

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.