Hall of Fame broadcaster Hamilton discusses health

HOUSTON -- Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton, who retired from calling games following last season, met with the media Tuesday afternoon and provided an update on his health, as well as his plans for the immediate future.

Hamilton, who's battled chronic lymphocytic leukemia since 1974, said he's back on regular chemotherapy treatments that have cut into his schedule. Hamilton had hoped to return to the booth this year to call a game from his 60th Major League ballpark, but he said he can no longer fly.

"You've heard me talk about it for two years, that I wanted to get to 60 ballparks, but they're not letting me get on an airplane anymore," he said. "I guess I'm going to have to settle for a pair of 59s -- 59 years in the big leagues and 59 ballparks, but I'll take it."

Hamilton, 85, called a game from Marlins Park last year, which was his 59th. He quit traveling with the team full-time several years ago and had been calling only home games until last year. He had hoped to travel to Detroit's Comerica Park earlier this year, or early next month to Minnesota's Target Field.

"I'm disappointed, because maybe I made too much out of it that I wanted to have 60 ballparks," he said. "I thought it was a nice round number. It's only a disappointment to me, probably. I would have loved to have done it. I wanted to see those parks."

Hamilton's broadcasting career has spanned nearly 70 years, and more than 55 in the Major Leagues. He still serves as a special adviser to owner Jim Crane and president of business operations Reid Ryan, as well as doing commercials and occasional talk show appearances.

"My big next goal is to have 70 years on the air, and if I can make it to 2015, there it will be," he said.