ATLANTA (AP) — The moment is still frozen in time: Hank Aaron rounding the bases after hitting his record 715th home run when, suddenly, two young fans ran up from behind to pat him on the shoulder.
Aaron reunited with the two on Friday before the Atlanta Braves opened a three-game series against the Florida Marlins.
Britt Gaston and Cliff Courtenay were only 17 when they jumped from the stands at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and caught up with a startled Aaron as he rounded second base. They were arrested trying to get away, but the charges were dropped the next morning.
Aaron says it’s always good to see Gaston and Courtenay. As for what their brief encounter in 1974, he says “it didn’t take away anything. Not then, not now.”
