Milo Hamilton, broadcaster who called Hank Aaron’s historic home run, dies at 88

Milo Hamilton, a Hall of Fame broadcaster whose radio calls included 11 no-hitters and Hank Aaron’s historic 715th home run in 1974, died Thursday. He was 88.

The Houston Astros announced the death of their longtime play-by-play man, known for using the phrase “Holy Toledo.” The cause of death was not given.

Hamilton was working for WSB Radio in Atlanta on April 8, 1974, when Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record in Atlanta against the Dodgers. NBC’s Curt Gowdy and Dodgers announcer Vin Scully were also working the game.

Hamilton later said he didn’t rehearse the call, but it went off without a hitch.

“There’s a drive into left-center field,” he said as the Braves slugger started running the bases. “That ball is going to be … out of here! It’s gone! It’s 715! There’s a new home run champion of all-time! And it’s Henry Aaron!”

As Aaron crossed home plate and was greeted by jubilant teammates, Hamilton continued with: “Henry Aaron, the home run king of all time.”

Hammerin’ Hank joined Hamilton at his retirement party in 2012 and discussed his famous call, which the broadcaster considered the highlight of his career.

“Your voice goes with me all over the world,” he told Hamilton. “Everywhere I go when people start talking about that home run, your voice comes back, and I want to say how much I appreciate that.”

Hamilton and Aaron were forever linked because of that call.

“We’re kind of joined at the hip with home run No. 715,” Hamilton said in 2012.

Hamilton, who spent 60 years broadcasting Major League games, joined the Astros in 1985 and retired following the 2012 season. Since 2013, he had served as a guest radio commentator for select home games.

He was inducted into the broadcasters’ wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Radio Hall of Fame in 2000.

Among the other highlights of his career were calling Nolan Ryan’s 4,000th strikeout in 1985 and Craig Biggio’s 3,000th hit in 2007. He also called the Pirates’ 1979 championship season and when Stan Musial hit five home runs in a doubleheader.

Born in Fairfield, Iowa, on Sept. 2, 1927, Hamilton graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in radio speech. He began his radio career with the Navy in 1945.

His survivors include a son, Mark.

news.obits@latimes.com