Astros Blue Star Gala To Salute Hall Of Fame Broadcaster Milo Hamilton

HOUSTON, TX -- The Astros will honor Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton with A Blue Star Gala, which will be held on the field at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, October 16. The night will be a gathering of many former Major League star players that have been touched by Hamilton, including baseball legend and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, whose record-breaking 715th home run was called by Hamilton in 1974.

The event will be a tribute to Hamilton, who announced in February that 2012 will be his 59th and final season calling games from the radio booth. Hamilton’s 59 seasons as a Major League broadcaster rank second all-time to Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully’s 64 seasons.  2012 marks Hamilton’s 28th season as the radio voice of the Houston Astros. One of Hamilton’s signature phrases has been “put a blue star on that one” after a fine defensive play is made.

Many former Astros players, including Craig Biggio, Larry Dierker, Enos Cabell, Jimmy Wynn, Phil Garner and Billy Doran will be in attendance along with Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane.

The night will also include special video tributes from former President George H.W. Bush with wife Barbara, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Bob Costas and Hall of Fame broadcasters Scully, Bob Uecker and Marty Brennaman.

The event will include a silent auction featuring unique, autographed memorabilia from Hamilton, Aaron and others. Proceeds will benefit the Astros In Action Foundation (AIAF). Franci Crane, wife of Jim Crane, Terri Havens and Sara Morgan, all AIAF Board Members, are serving as the co-chairs of the event.

Currently, the top sponsors for the event include:  Franci and Jim Crane, Carolyn Faulk/ACPlastics, Sara and Bill Morgan, Don Sanders, Capital One, Marathon Oil Corporation, Elizabeth and Drayton McLane, Sysco Corporation and The Methodist Hospital System. Sponsorship packages and tickets for the gala can be purchased at www.astros.com/community or by calling 713-259-8975. Sponsorships begin at $5,000 and individual tickets start at $150.

Astros In Action Foundation Mission: Through the strength of the national pastime, we will enhance the quality of life in our community. Our core areas of giving: Youth baseball and softball, cancer research and treatment, military efforts.