“Voice of Indians” Tom Hamilton signs contract extension

CLEVELAND, OH -- The Cleveland Indians today announced a multi-year contract extension with “Voice of the Indians” TOM HAMILTON.  The five-time recipient of the Ohio Sportscaster of the Year Award will be entering his 23^rd season of calling Cleveland Indians Baseball in 2012.

The Indians also announced veteran broadcaster JIM ROSENHAUS will partner with Hamilton on the Indians Radio Network in 2012. Rosenhaus has spent the past five seasons as a contributing member of the Indians Radio Network, including roles as play-by-play announcer and host of the pregame show, Indians Warm-Up and weekly show, Tribe Talk, on the Indians Radio Network and indians.com. Rosenhaus was inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame this past summer in recognition of 11 seasons as the play-by-play voice of the Class Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

“Tom Hamilton has entertained Indians fans for more than two decades and over that time his voice has become a core part of Indians memories and experiences. We are thrilled for our fans that this multi-year extension will ensure that Tom continues as the ‘Voice of the Indians’,” said Cleveland Indians President MARK SHAPIRO. “We are also pleased to announce that Jim Rosenhaus will join the Indians broadcast team for the 2012 season, a position he has earned with his work on the Indians Radio Network over the past five seasons.”

SHAPIRO added, “In 2012, our radio broadcasts will also include periodic visits from Indians Alumni to provide an on-field perspective and a tie to generations of Indians fans.”

HAMILTON was promoted to the top position on the Indians Broadcast Team in 1998 following the retirement of the legendary Herb Score.  In his 22 seasons since 1990, Hamilton has called 68 postseason games for the Tribe from 1994-99, 2001 and 2007, including all six games from the 1995 World Series and all seven games from the 1997 World Series. He joined the Indians following a three-year stint as a broadcaster for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers (1987-89) 

ROSENHAUS has spent the past five years as the producer/engineer for the Indians Radio Network and host of Indians Warm Up.  In addition, Jim has had the opportunity to call play-by-play on a part-time basis when needed and last year partnered with Tom on the majority of the road broadcasts.  He joined the Indians family in 2007 following his 11 seasons with the Buffalo Bisons.  While in Buffalo, he was also the play-by-play voice for 11 years with the University of Buffalo men’s basketball team.  During his career, he has also worked with the Toronto Blue Jays Radio Network, the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Kinston Indians