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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 MLB 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.
Hamilton's health had deteriorated in recent months, and he was hospitalized in the weeks leading up to Craig Biggio's Hall of Fame induction in July.
His son, Mark Hamilton, said the team will honor Milo Hamilton's legacy at Friday night's game vs. Oakland at Minute Maid Park. The team will also wear an honorary patch on their jerseys for the rest of the season.
"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."
Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement, "During his 60 years covering our game, Milo became one of the National Pastime's most distinguished announcers, serving seven different Major League Clubs. He chronicled some of our game's most historic moments during the era of Hank Aaron, Stan Musial and Ernie Banks. As 'The Voice of the Astros' since 1985, he ushered into the homes of fans Houston's first World Series appearance, the Hall of Fame careers of Nolan Ryan and Craig Biggio, and countless other memories. I enjoyed spending time with Milo during my trip to Houston earlier in this resurgent season for the Astros, and it was a pleasure to correspond with him in recent months. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Milo's family, friends, admirers throughout the game and to all Astros fans."
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