The 1974 MLB season began w/a history-making play - Hank Aaron hitting his 714th home run of his illustrious career, tying the previous record held by one of the most iconic ballplayers of all time - Babe Ruth. When Ruth retired after the 1935 season it was thought by many that his record would stand forever, and it did for nearly 40 years. The road to this milestone event was paved w/drama, in the form of racial tension and the very idea that the Babe’s record could be beat. As the Spring of 1974 came to be, emotions ran high, w/millions of people rooting for Aaron, millions of people rooting against him (including death threats being made), and millions more just wanting to experience baseball history. When the 1974 regular season began, Aaron's Braves faced the Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati for a three game series. At the top of the first inning of the first game, Aaron hit his 714th career homer to tie the all-time record. This ball was acquired by longtime Associated Press (AP) photographer Barry Thumma, who was present to photograph the tying of Ruth's record. Afterwards, Thumma went to the locker room to photograph and congratulate Aaron, who then sent a bat boy to the field to retrieve a game ball. Ball was signed on the very day that Hank Aaron tied the great Babe Ruth and given to Thumma. Comes w/a photo of Aaron and Thumma in dugout. Official NL (Feeney) model ball w/"Cowhide Baseball - First Use 4-4-74 - Cincinnati VS Atlanta" stamp, that was put in place due to the historical significance of this game making it necessary to implement specially marked balls. The ball has been signed on the sweetspot in black felt tip pen in Aaron's hand w/added "#714" notation and "4-4-74" date also added, though not in Aaron's hand. Lightly aged but clean and o/w NM. If you are a baseball collector and desire a special item from baseball's history, here’s your chance to acquire a museum quality piece! Comes with Hake's COA and PSA/DNA and JSA LOAs.