Hank Aaron was honored before the Atlanta Braves took on the New York Mets on Tuesday night with a ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of his 715th home run.

The 715th home run pushed him past Babe Ruth and into first place all-time. Aaron finished with 755 home runs but eventually was passed on the career list by Barry Bonds.

Speaking with reporters after the ceremony, Selig was asked about Aaron being called the true home run king.

"I'm always in a sensitive spot there, but I've said that myself and I'll just leave it at that," Selig said.

The 80-year-old was given a standing ovation in the ceremony before the game.

Aaron thanked fans "for all your kindness all these many years." Aaron, recovering from recent hip-replacement surgery, used a walker.

"The game of baseball was a way that I relaxed myself each year that I went on the field for 23 years," Aaron said. "I gave baseball everything that I had, everything, every ounce of my ability to play the game, I tried to play to make you the fans appreciate me more. Thank you."