Famed broadcaster Milo Hamilton, the voice of Hank Aaron's 715th homer, dead at 88

Even if you're a baseball fan who doesn't know the name Milo Hamilton, you certainly know his voice.

Hamilton, a Hall of Famer, spent 50 years broadcasting MLB games. He called 11 no-hitters, Nolan Ryan's 4,000th strikeout, Barry Bonds' 70th homer in 2001 and one of the most famous moments in MLB history. He was the voice we hear when we watch Hank Aaron round the bases for his 715th homer in 1974 to pass Babe Ruth and become the career leader at the time.

All of that means Thursday's news will leave many baseball fans sad. Hamilton died at age 88, the Houston Astros announced. Houston was the team with whom Hamilton spent half his MLB career, calling games from 1985 until he retired in 2012.

 

Here's a statement on Hamilton's passing and his impact from Astros president Reid Ryan:

"Today, the entire Astros family and many throughout the baseball world are mourning the loss of our friend, Milo Hamilton. 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. 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. "

They loved Hamilton in Houston, but be also was the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals (1954), the Chicago Cubs twice (1955-57 and 1980-84), the Chicago White Sox (1961-65), the Atlanta Braves (1966-74) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (1975-79). In 1992, Hamilton was the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting which earned him enshrinement in Cooperstown.

 

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred remembered Hamilton in a statement too:

“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.”

When he announced his retirement in 2012, Hamilton told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com:

"It's been a great game for me. I did football for 25 years and basketball for over 40 years, but baseball was the greatest game in the world when I started, and it still is today."

And baseball was better off for having Hamilton's voice a part of it.