Braves Request Removal of Unauthenticated Hank Aaron Items from Auction
- Atlanta Braves demand Heritage Auctions to remove Hank Aaron memorabilia from auction.
- The items from April 8, 1974, have not been authenticated, leading to the dispute.
- Authenticity concerns prompt a challenge to the auction of Hank Aaron items.
Memorabilia from Hank Aaron's record-breaking game on April 8, 1974, is set to be auctioned, but the Atlanta Braves are contesting its authenticity. The items in question include home plate and three bases from the game where Aaron hit his 715th home run, surpassing Babe Ruth's long-standing record. The Braves assert that these items may not be genuine, raising concerns about their provenance. The Baseball Hall of Fame is also involved in the controversy, as the third-base bag that Aaron crossed during his historic home run trot is currently on display at the museum. This bag was gifted to the Hall of Fame by Aaron during his induction in 1982. Other significant artifacts from the game, including Aaron's uniform, bat, and ball, are part of the Hall's "Chasing the Dream" exhibit, which opened in 2009. In a statement to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Braves threatened legal action against the auction if the disputed items remain for sale. They emphasized that verified memorabilia from that night is preserved at the Hall of Fame and other institutions, allowing fans to honor Aaron's legacy appropriately. The Hall of Fame confirmed the authenticity of the third-base bag, which was donated by Aaron himself. Heritage Auctions, the firm handling the auction, stated it was unaware of the Hall of Fame's display of the base and claimed to have conducted thorough checks on the items' authenticity. The Braves warned that selling these questionable items could undermine the value of the original memorabilia, which holds significant historical importance.