Tom Hamilton (born August 19, 1954[1]) is an American sportscaster, primarily known as the chief radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland GuardiansMajor League Baseball team.
Hamilton joined the then- Indians 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
(*) - 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.
"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]")
"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
"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)
"A SWING and a miss!" - for a swinging strikeout by a Guardians pitcher
"Ballgame!" - after the final out of a Guardians win[4][5]
"Cleveland, you will have an October to Remember!" - the final call of every game in which the Indians/Guardians have clinched a playoff spot since 1995.