The iconic voice of Cleveland baseball, Tom Hamilton, is set to make history as he heads to the Hall of Fame. This beloved figure in Cleveland sports media has been bestowed with the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award for his excellence in broadcasting. The honor will be bestowed upon him during the Hall of Fame awards presentation from July 25-28, 2025, in Cooperstown, N.Y. Hamilton is the 49th recipient of this esteemed award.

Tom Hamilton - A Voice that Defined Cleveland Baseball

Early Influences and Career Beginnings

Tom Hamilton was born in 1954 in Waterloo, Wis. Growing up, he spent summer nights on his porch, listening intently as Earl Gillespie called Milwaukee Braves games in the 1960s. His family owned a dairy farm, and it wasn't a path he saw himself excelling in. "I knew I didn't want to be a farmer, and my parents were like, 'If we've got to put the farm in his hands, we're in trouble,'" Hamilton joked. After getting into radio broadcasting, he eventually joined Herb Score in Cleveland in 1990. This partnership laid the foundation for his remarkable career.During the team's run to the 1997 World Series, Hamilton's skills truly shone. After that season, he took over and has since partnered with Mike Hegan, Dave Nelson, Matt Underwood, and Jim Rosenhaus. "When you're in the booth, you're only made better by the people you work with," Hamilton said. "Those guys were the ones that made me better, and they're all friends. Unfortunately, some of them are no longer with us, but I'm so forever grateful for their partnership down through the years."

Famous Calls and Impact on Fans

Just about any Cleveland fan would instantly recognize Hamilton's famous calls. From "Swing and a drive, a-way back, gone!" to "Ballgame!" and the one-time classic "Down goes Anderson!", his voice has become synonymous with Cleveland baseball. His impact on so many lives in Northeast Ohio is evident as he serves as the soundtrack to their favorite team. Through the radio, he has had three-hour conversations with fans, touching their hearts.Hamilton detailed one letter he received written in braille, highlighting how much his broadcasts meant to the writer. However, unfortunately, the binder with that letter was lost in an airport, which he called "one of my biggest regrets." He is a fixture in the Cleveland baseball scene, a revered voice embraced by the community with love.

Responsibility and Dedication

Those early years taught Hamilton the importance of his role as a team broadcaster. He learned that they held a responsibility to guide the audience not only through the wins but also through the losses. "I learned a valuable lesson from Herb, the most valuable of all, and that is your club's record or how the season is going should never have any bearing on that night's broadcast," Hamilton said. "There are people whose whole day is highlighted by a ballgame … and you owe those people your very best."Hamilton is a seven-time Ohio Sportscaster of the Year Award winner. But his impact goes beyond awards. He is truly one of the best in the business, known by many as one of the nicest people you could ever meet. The many Cleveland fans who tune in to hear "Hammy" have known this for a long time, and he is thoroughly deserving of this honor.