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Craig Sager describes Hank Aaron's 715th home run from his unique perspective

The Turner Sports sideline reporter was a 22-year-old fresh out of Northwestern when he scored the interview of a lifetime. The man known for his colorful wardrobe was the first media member to talk to Hank Aaron after Aaron broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record.

Video Transcript

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CRAIG SAGER: What happened was I was working in Sarasota, Florida, for $95 a week, and we were an affiliate on the radio of the Braves flagship station. So I was a big fan, and I said "Hank's gonna do it," and I told my boss. I said, "I want to go see the game Monday night because Hank's gonna break the record". The boss said, "well listen, you've got morning drive news tomorrow and everything else," he said "if you go and you miss that, you're fired." I said, "well, let me check things out". There's two flights-- National and Eastern flew out of Sarasota to Atlanta-- both airlines now defunct-- but I got a flight and so I said, I'm going.

So I flew up there and it was bad weather and it was kind of cloudy, and I thought oh man, if they cancel or postpone this game. But they weren't gonna do it because it was nationally televised and it's a big deal. So everybody's there, it was kind of cold. Being a right-handed batter, the camera bay on the first base side was filled with photographers, so they could get his swing. All the press media people were up in the press box we could keep warm. So on third base side, there's nobody in there but me.

So I was in there, I had my little microphone, and I'm doing my own play-by-play. As soon he hit it, I run out there. Before the game, I talked to everybody, like his mom, his manager, and did this whole feature, so I was kind of comfortable with everybody around me. I walk out there and, all of a sudden, he comes around the base and here's ball, Henry, here's the ball, and I cut to his mom. She says "I knew he'd do it. I knew he'd do it." She's screaming, and it's just great video and audio as well. He's at home plate, and they stop the game for like 20 minutes to do the award ceremony. So they had to bring the stage out, and bring all the props and during that time, I'm doing interviews with everybody. That audio is played continuously now on the Cooperstown Hall of Fame, and I have a lifetime pass.

People say what's the highlight of your career? I don't like to think I peaked at 22, but it'd be hard to top a memory like that, especially a moment that's so historic and, many say, the best moment in baseball history. What a significant time and place, and to be there was pretty special.