50 years later, a Braves fan shares long
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Charlie Russo had an unbelievable view of Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run. Fifty years later, he’s ready to share it with the world.
The 81-year-old Russo is releasing his long-private footage of the moment Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record on April 8, 1974, which he captured after surreptitiously following Aaron’s family onto the field at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. He was right there celebrating at home plate with Aaron, his family and teammates — including Dusty Baker, who was on deck for the Atlanta Braves when Aaron connected.
“Was that guy filming?” Baker asked when told about the video made available to The Associated Press by Russo and his family. “Come on! I’ve never seen that!”
Russo’s video shows Aaron — standing just feet away — raising his right arm and smiling to the cheering crowd.
“Everything just fell into place,” Russo said. “I mean, just everything we did was just, you know, magical.”