This is one of the greatest moments in baseball history and no small feat, but it is not as impressive as when the Babe made the original mark. The Babe set the mark in bigger ball parks, a much heavier ball and something like 2,500 less at bats and with fewer games played. The "Hammer" was a consistent homerun hitter, not a prolific one, his longevity was the key to his record, which is still outstanding, but not as great as the Babes.

Sorry 'bout your luck, Racist America....

The most prestigious record in sports and the top baseball highlight of my lifetime. I can hear the call in my sleep sometimes, I've seen and heard it so many times. Dusty Baker on deck, the Dodgers Al Downing on the mound, Braves relief pitcher Tom House catching the homerun ball in the bullpen beyond the left-centerfield fence, Aaron hugging his mother at home plate, and about 75% of the crowd leaving the game after the homerun was hit. By far the most memorable baseball moment, in my opinion.

yes, we all know that it was a different era when hank broke the record. they added more games to the schedule when hank played, hank had a longer career, the balls and bats had changed, whatever.  Hank will always be the homerun king.  He passed the record honestly, and with class, and with the racial card stacked against him. It is such a shame that the world will most likely have to see his record fall to the dirty, void-of-class cheater that is barry bonds. that will indeed be a dark day for our national pastime.

There is no question in my mind that this is at least in the top three greatest moments in baseball history.

The hoopla surrounding the event, the legendary stature of the record holder, and the character of the challenger make it perfect.

A DESERVING MAN..BUT DA BABE WILL ALWAYS BE KING

i think he did a great 6 on his rate. on my rate he won all!

It's a big one & it may be available for celebration for just another year or so.

Racial tensions run high as Aaron surpasses The Babe.

Ruth played in the dead ball era. If he played when Aaron did, he would have hit 1500 HR's in his career. Plus, by the time Aaron got in th league, they added more games to the schedule.

Have to totally agree with Skizero here... this shot was more than just a homerun- and more than just an anomolous event.

one of the Top moments in MLB History. the mighty Babe and his 714 homers toppled by Hammerin' Hank, who seemed to have baseball history plus 400 years of racial tension tied to his back on April 8, 1974. the clip exists in for all to see. the pitch, the shake of Aaron's bat, and gone.

The death threats, the racism, and the chase of a hallowed baseball player's record is what makes this moment great.

This was a great moment in baseball history. But Ruth was still a much better HR hitter than Aaron. It took Aaron much longer to get there. Unfortunately Bonds will break Aaron's record though he doesn't deserve to because of the steroids.

Aaron is truly one of the games greatest pure hitters. His achievement is great and even should someday another overcome his HR total, nevertheless it shall not overshadow the dominance he had in the years of his career. I consider it an honor to have seen him play. A truly classy player in an age when sports reflected what sportsmanship was all about.

FINALLY RATEITALL GOT IT RIGHT I TOTALLY AGREE AARON THROUGHOUT HIS CARRER WAS OVERSHADOWED AND I WISH HE WASNT SO CAUSE HE WAS A GREAT ABLL PLAYER BEING FROM ATLANTA IM PARTIAL BUT HIS STATS SPEEK FOR THEMSELVES ALLTIME HOMERUN LEADER MORE THAN 3000 BASE HITS A GREAT BASERUNNER HE WAS A GOOD FIELDER AND WAS A VERY MODEST MAN GO BRAVES

Hank is still underrated as one of the all-time players. A true gentleman and a great player. He handled the terrible abuse with grace.

This remarkable feat can never be overlooked.

This is the second most memorable moment behind Robinson breaking the color barrier. Aaron is a true specimen and is the personification of grit. Similar to Robinson, he had death threats made against him even in the more tolerant society of 1974 (though not surprising; he did play in Georgia). It is a meritorious accomplishment. The image of Aaron rounding third with the fans on the field to congratulate him sticks in my mind. Anyone who can shatter a career record of the great Babe Ruth is deserving of an inordinate amount of praise. He set the bar a little higher and a famous number of 755 is the current site that today's players have their sights set on. It is certainly one of the most defining moments in baseball's history.