Two reasons:
1) Many people -- myself included -- thought that Babe Ruth's record for home runs in a career would be impossible to break. When the Babe retired, nobody had even HALF that many home runs in a career. To come within even 200 home runs of Ruth's record was considered a super achievement. Yet Hank DID break the record.
2) More significantly, Hank did it despite the extraordinary pressure against him. About 20% of this "fan" mail as he approached the record was overtly racist hate mail, with many letters openly stating that they would kill him before he could break the record.
Hank Aaron hit 755 career home runs.
Not in MLB. Hank Aaron retired after the 1976 season.
The most home runs Hank Aaron hit in one season was 47, in 1971.
Hank Aaron's 569th home run came off of Gary Nolan of the Cincinnati Reds on May 15, 1970.
Hank Aaron is the person who broke Babe Ruth's record. Hank had hit 755 home runs in his career, while Babe Ruth had only hit 714 home runs in his career.
Hank Aaron hit 755 career home runs.
Hank Aaron hit 3 home runs in a game in 1959.
Hank Aaron hit 755 career home runs.
he was the first black man to have a record in baseball. He has the home run record at 755!
Hank Aaron hit 399 career solo home runs.
Hank Aaron hit home run number 569 in Cincinnati, on May 15, 1970.
Not in MLB. Hank Aaron retired after the 1976 season.
The most home runs Hank Aaron hit in one season was 47, in 1971.
Hank Aaron hit 95 career home runs against the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers.
Hank Aaron played in 3298 games between 1954-1976. He hit his final home run on July 20, 1976.
1974 is when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record with his 715th home run.
Hank Aaron