(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton passed away this morning at the age of 88. Hamilton had been fighting deteriorating health in recent weeks even before celebrating his most recent birthday on September 2nd.
Hamilton’s death comes less than two weeks after the passing of the original Astros voice, Gene Elston. They were unique and different personalities on and off the air, but both were Hall of Famer’s. Each endured a variety of health issues in recent years, but they fought the battles with strength and courage. Then again, they were Iowans.
Milo broadcast Astros game from 1985-2012, part of his 60 seasons behind the microphone, calling major league baseball games. In 1992 he was honored with his profession’s highest honor, the Ford Frick Award at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
He started his the career with the old St. Louis Browns in 1953, when teams still traveled by train and the radio announcers were the true voices of the team. He also worked with the Cardinals, Braves, Pirates, Cubs and Astros. But it was Houston where he found a true home. He loved his job and he loved the Astros.
“He was in this town longer than any place in his career,” said his son Mark Thursday afternoon. “He embraced the town and they embraced him back. He loved the city and the team.”
I worked with Milo for seven seasons (2006-2012) along with Dave Raymond. It was the biggest break of my career, both exhilarating and petrifying. Working with Milo wasn’t easy. It was always challenging, sometimes fascinating and never dull. I am guessing all of the partners that worked with him over the 60 years wanted his acceptance in some way, shape or form. It was hard to earn. He was a perfectionist and as his son Mark described, “a pro’s pro and passionate at his craft.” He expected the same of others.
His famous call of Henry Aaron’s record breaking 715th home run in 1974 might be one of the greatest of all time and has been replayed millions of times. A snippet of it is aired every morning on MLB Network show billboards.
He would add many other signature calls in Houston including Mike Scott’s no-hitter, a pennant clincher in 2005 and Craig Biggio’s 3,000th hit.
Truth be told, Biggio’s famous 3,000 hit came in an inning in which I was supposed to be doing play-by-play. When the Astros started a home stand with the Rockies and Biggio at 2,995 I called Milo and told him, should Biggio come to plate, sitting on 2999, he should take over the mic. No one in the organization asked or told me to do so, but it seemed like the right thing to do. His voice, his famous distinctive, powerful voice, needed to be the one describing one of the top moments in the franchise’s history.
Neither of us quite expected that moment to come in the seventh inning of the first game of the series. But with Biggio one hit away, Milo took over and I got to do something I have never done before or since in a booth, shut the mic off, sit back like a fan and enjoy what was about to unfold on the diamond at Minute Maid Park. But I also go to watch Milo. His concentration was intense and he was almost willing the hit to happen. The true test of a play-by-play broadcaster is the ability to rise to the moment when greatness happens. He didn’t miss a beat as the stadium exploded with a line drive to right field.
“2-0 pitch, swinging, there it is, here comes Ausmus, the score is tied,” Milo screamed. “Bidge wants to make it a double and heeeeee’s going to be OUT. He didn’t get the trademark but he did get 3,000 hits. History at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston! We have the newest member of the 3,000 hit club.”
Dave put a bow on the night with a fantastic post-game interview with Biggio. Milo described the moment. But I had the best seat in the house for both the hit and the call.
The booth was always Grand Central Station. Milo loved to entertain, whether it was dinners or visitors stopping in during games. He loved it. He needed it. In his final days with the funeral preparations all but finished, I am sure he was saddened by the fact that he was going to miss the celebration, the celebration that will take place remembering his life.
We will honor him, imitate his voice, tell a few stories and laugh. It will be a “Blue Star” crowd. I am quite confident there will never be another one just like him. He was one of a kind. In his 88 years, he lived life to the fullest. If we could all be so lucky. Holy Toledo! R.I.P. Milo.
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