Page "Hank Aaron" Paragraph 33

At the age of 39, Aaron hit 40 home runs in 392 at-bats, ending the season one home run short of the record.

He hit home run number 713 on September 29, 1973, and with one day remaining in the season, many expected him to tie the record.

But in his final game that year, playing against the Houston Astros ( led by manager Leo Durocher, who had once roomed with Babe Ruth ), he was unable to achieve this.

After the game, Aaron stated that his only fear was that he might not live to see the 1974 season.