Milo Hamilton, Broadcaster, died at 88

  Dead Famous

Leland Milo Hamilton, born on September 2, 1927 and died September 17, 2015, he was an American sportscaster, best known for calling play-by-play for seven different Major League Baseball teams since 1953.

Milo received the Ford Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.

He was known by his middle name, which is pronounced “MY-loh”.

Milo called games on radio and television but had a special appreciation of baseball on radio, acquired while growing up in Fairfield, Iowa.

“It’s plain and simple: Baseball is a radio game,” he wrote in his autobiography, “Making Airwaves: 60 Years at Milo’s Microphone” (2006).

“Fans use their imagination while listening to the broadcast to recreate the game.”

His peripatetic career brought him to Atlanta in 1966, the Braves’ first season after their move from Milwaukee.

By 1974, baseball was riveted by Aaron’s pursuit of Babe Ruth’s career home run record of 714; he had ended the previous season one short, then started the new season by tying it.

On April 8, the Braves faced the Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Milo had asked that he, not his partner, Ernie Johnson, call every home run from 700 to 715.

In the fourth inning, Aaron stepped to the plate against Al Downing with one man on base. He swung on a 1-0 pitch.

“There’s a drive into left-center field,” Milo said with mounting excitement.

“That ball is gonna be outta here. It’s gone! It’s 715! There’s a new home run champion of all time, and it’s Henry Aaron! The fireworks are going! Henry Aaron’s coming around third. His teammates are at home plate. Listen to the crowd.”

Milo Hamilton died at age 88 on September 17, 2015.