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No broadcaster I know prepared more than Milo Hamilton did. I am convinced he was more than prepared for his final day.
He and I first met when Hamilton came to Houston to do Astros games in 1985. He didn't have to introduce himself as I had listened to him for years as part of the White Sox radio guys led by his mentor Bob Elson. "The Commander" as he was known having held that rank in the Navy while training sailors at Great Lakes in WWII.
Milo sounded a bit like Elson but Milo was his own man. He came to Houston from a tour of duty with Harry Caray and the Cubs. We all knew that didn't go that well. Again, Milo was his own man. He gave out blue stars on his scorecards and reminded us how that was a 6-4-3 DP "if you're scoring at home."
He more than once scolded fans who arrived late for a game. Milo never was late and might hold a record for consecutive games called. He also called basketball and football as he went years "without an off season."I happen to mention my school quite a few times. "The Salukis of Southern Illinois was my school." Milo knew the school and when the Astros got outfielder Steve Finley they had a Saluki on the roster. I was driving to Oilers training camp in San Antonio while listening to Milo calling an Astros-Cubs game at Wrigley Field. As Finley stepped into the box to hit Milo reminded the audience "You might think Craig Roberts is the only guy to go to SIU, but Finley had him beaten by miles." I liked the mention. It was meant in fun.
I emceed his "Man of the Year" honor at the Astros Winter Banquet in 2006. It was an honor for me. He asked the organizers to see if I could do it. That was memorable, and let's not forget he put Toledo on the map. 'Holy Toledo" should be retired. Milo is now set for that big game in the sky. He's done his homework.
Read more about Craig Roberts here.
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