Tweet
Milo Hamilton, the longtime and Hall of Fame radio voice of the Houston Astros, passed away Thursday, according to the son. He was 88 years old.
Hamilton, known for using the phrase 'Holy Toledo!', started doing play-by-play with the Astros in 1985. He retired in 2012. Prior to Houston, Hamilton was with St. Louis, both Chicago teams, Atlanta and Pittsburgh.
Hamilton's 60 seasons of broadcasting Major League Baseball are second all-time to Vin Scully's record of 66 seasons.
Hamilton called many famous Major League Baseball games including Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run on April 8, 1974; the Pirates' 1979 World Series championship; 11 no-hitters; Nolan Ryan's 4,000th strikeout; Craig Biggio's 3,000th hit; and the Astros' National League pennant-winning game in 2005.
Hamilton received the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. Besides Cooperstown, he was inducted into five other halls of fame, including the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame (2004), the Radio Hall of Fame (2000) and the Texas Radio Hall of Fame (2005).
Hamilton has a street outside of Minute Maid Park named Milo Hamilton Way in his honor.
The Astros said the team plans to honor Hamilton's legacy in the near future.
"For decades, Milo had a special connection with the Houston community, bringing Astros baseball to the cars and homes of fans throughout the great state of Texas and beyond. During his legendary career, we enjoyed the privilege of Milo calling some of the greatest moments in Astros history. In addition to his great work in the booth, Milo was also an outstanding ambassador for Astros baseball, a mantle he carried with a great deal of pride," Astros president Reid Ryan said. "While we mourn his sad passing, we should also celebrate Milo's long, wonderful career. He was one of the all-time greats and a true icon whose contributions to the game and beyond will be remembered always."
"We were extremely fortunate to have Milo as a part of our organization," Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane said. "An entire generation of Astros fans grew up listening to Milo. He truly is an icon and was synonymous with Astros baseball for many years. Milo was a great asset not only for the Astros, but also for the City of Houston as well."
Former President George H.W. Bush issued a statement that read, "Barbara and I mourn the loss of Milo Hamilton, a genuine baseball icon, a Hall of Fame sportscaster -- and, happily for us, a good friend. In time, Milo became his own Houston institution, and the countless good causes he helped made him one of the brightest Points of Light we knew. It was hard for him, and indeed all Astros fans, when Milo stepped away from the booth in 2012 after his legendary career, but from this day forward we can take comfort that he will always have the best seat in the house. Holy Toledo, what a good man he was -- and we were fortunate to know him."
More...