Tom Hamilton (sportscaster)
Tom Hamilton (born August 19, 1954[1]) is an American sportscaster, primarily known as the chief radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Guardians Major League Baseball team.
Tom Hamilton | |
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![]() Hamilton in 2014 | |
Born | August 19, 1954 |
Sports commentary career | |
Team(s) | Cleveland Indians/Guardians (1990–present) |
Genre(s) | Play-by-play |
Sports | Major League Baseball College basketball |
Hamilton joined the Guardians Radio Network for the 1990 season, after spending three years in the booth for the then AAA affiliate of the New York Yankees, the Columbus Clippers. He was paired with Indians legend Herb Score until 1997, when Score retired after 30 seasons. Hamilton became chief play by play announcer in the 1998 season, a position he still holds today. Because of his longevity and popularity, he is now considered to be the "voice of the Tribe". After the Indians were renamed to the Guardians, he has also been referred to as the "voice of the Guardians".
Until recently, Hamilton called college basketball games in the offseason (usually Ohio State games) for ESPN Plus, and Big Ten Network.
Broadcasting associates with the Indians/Guardians
- Herb Score, 1990–1997
- Mike Hegan, 1998–2011
- Dave Nelson, 1998-1999*
- Matt Underwood, 2000-2006*
- Jim Rosenhaus, 2010–present*[2]
(*) - Nelson, and later Underwood joined Hamilton and Hegan in a three-man booth from 1998 to 2007, when the Indians then went to a two-man booth. Rosenhaus, Hamilton and Hegan formed a three-man team for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Broadcasting credits
(all pre-Indians/Guardians)[3]
- University of Wisconsin–Madison—football games
- ABC Radio
- Appleton Foxes—minor league baseball games
- University of Colorado—basketball games
- Columbus Clippers—minor league baseball games
Signature calls
- "And we're underway at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario!" - after the first pitch of a Guardians home game (during away games, Hamilton will usually say "And we're underway at [opposing team's ballpark or city]")
- "Juuust a bit [outside/inside]" - when a close pitch by a pitcher is called for a ball
- "The string is out." - for a full count
- "STRIKE THREE CALLED!" - after a Guardians pitcher strikes out an opposing batter looking
- "Swing and a drive, waaaay back, and gone!!" or "Swung on and belted, to deep ______ (left/center/right), awaaaay back, and outta here!!" - for a Guardians home run
- "And a mobbing at home plate!" or "He's about to get mobbed!" - after a Guardians walk-off home run
- "Swiiiing and a miss, he tried to hit that one to Euclid / into Lake Erie." - when a batter swings really hard but misses (for away games, Hamilton will use the name of a nearby suburb or neighborhood in the home city)
- "And [batter's name] has left a small village on base tonight." - when a lot of runners have been stranded on-base
- "Oh, what a job by [name of Guardians pitcher]!" - when a Guardians pitcher dominates the opposing lineup or gets out of a jam
- "A SWING and a miss!" - for a swinging strikeout by a Guardians pitcher
- "Mm mm mm" - after a Guardians error
- "Oh, for the love of Pete!" - in exasperation
- "How about that!" - after something unusual or exciting happens
- "Ballgame!" - after the final out of a Guardians win
- "So long, everybody" - signature sign-off[4]
Personal life
Hamilton resides in Avon Lake, Ohio, with his wife and four children.[3] One son (Nick) was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 35th round in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Kent State University.[5]
Another son - Brad - works as a reporter for Cleveland Fox affiliate WJW-TV 8.[6]
Books
- Glory Days in Tribe Town: The Cleveland Indians and Jacobs Field 1994–1997, (Co-Written with Terry Pluto), 2014 ISBN 978-1-938441-35-6
Awards and honors
References
- Loede, Matt. "Happy Birthday to Indians Radio Voice Tom Hamilton!". si.com. The Arena Group. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- All-Time Broadcasters - Cleveland Guardians
- Broadcasters - Cleveland Guardians
- Tom Hamilton - SABR.org
- Hamilton's son drafted - Cleveland.com
- Browns legend, Olympic gold medalist, champion volleyball coach and longtime broadcaster inducted into Hall of Fame - Fox 8.com (WJW-TV)
- Hamilton Ohio Sportscaster of the Year - NSSA.com
- Hamilton inducted into Cleveland Broadcasters HOF - CAB Cleveland.com
- LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Greater Cleveland Sports Awards