CLEVELAND — His voice has provided the soundtrack for large portions of our lives. Could that voice soon be headed to Cooperstown?
Legendary Guardians radio play-by-play man Tom Hamilton has been named one of 10 finalists for the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award, given annually to one of the game's preeminent broadcasters. This is the 69-year-old Hamilton's third go-round as a finalist, having most recently been considered just last year.
A native of Wisconsin, "Hammy" joined what was then the Cleveland Indians' radio booth in 1990, teaming with beloved announcer and former pitcher Herb Score for eight seasons. Following Score's retirement, he moved seamlessly into the first chair, and has remained the team's "voice" ever since.
During his tenure, Hamilton has been at the mic for some of the most memorable moments in team history, from the glory years of the late '90s to the Terry Francona era. His loud and passionate calls — such as "A swing and a drive!!" on home runs or "Ballgame!" following Tribe and Guards wins have won the hearts of not just Cleveland fans, but followers of baseball around the country.
Some of that national recognition came just this past August during a brawl at Progressive Field between the Guardians and White Sox. During the fight, Cleveland star José Ramírez put Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson on the deck with a punch to the face, prompting Hamilton to channel his inner Howard Cosell and excitedly proclaim, "Down goes Anderson! Down goes Anderson!!"
Aside from Hamilton, there are plenty of Cleveland connections on this year's Frick Award ballot. For instance, Joe Castiglione called a number of Indians games on television in 1979 while also working as a sports reporter right here at 3News, although he is best known as a member of the Boston Red Sox' radio booth for the last 41 years.
Likewise, fellow finalist Duane Kuiper has been broadcasting San Francisco Giants game on both TV and radio for the better part of the last four decades, but prior to that was the Tribe's second baseman from 1974-81, serving as team captain for much of that time. His longtime broadcast partner, former National League All-Star Mike Krukow, is also one of this year's nominees.
Named after former announcer and MLB Commissioner Ford C. Frick, the award doesn't officially make winners members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, but its prestige is such that winners are often considered to be on that level, and are even honored with their own special exhibit in Cooperstown. Past recipients with Cleveland franchise ties include Jimmy Dudley and Jack Graney.
The winner of this year's Frick Award will be selected by a panel consisting of the 12 living honorees as well as three broadcast historians, with their decision being announced on Dec. 6. Along with the aforementioned names, the remaining six finalists are as follows:
- Joe Buck (St. Louis Cardinals, Fox)
- Gary Cohen (New York Mets)
- Jacques Doucet (French voice for Montreal Expos, Toronto Blue Jays)
- Ernie Johnson Sr. (Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves)
- Ken Korach (Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox)
- Dan Shulman (Toronto Blue Jays, ESPN)