MIAMI -- In the winter of 1980, Tommy Hutton sensed that his playing career was winding down and sent letters to every Major League club expressing an interest in broadcasting.
“I love the game, and I think had broadcasting not worked out, I would have tried to stay in the game in some capacity, because I do love it,” Hutton said.
Hutton would hear back from a couple of teams, but he rejoined the Expos in 1981 for his 12th big league season before being released on Sept. 8. A few days later, Montreal general manager John McHale helped Hutton join the radio team and kick off a decades-long career.
To commemorate the longtime broadcaster’s upcoming retirement, the Marlins hosted Tommy Hutton Day during Sunday afternoon’s game against the Nationals at loanDepot park.
The Emmy Award-winning Hutton, who turned 80 on April 20, held broadcasting gigs with the Expos, Yankees and Blue Jays, while also appearing on national telecasts for ESPN, ABC and NBC prior to joining the Marlins in 1997, which coincided with the franchise’s first World Series title. This marks his 28th year broadcasting Marlins games, 23 of which have been from the TV booth.
“I'm surprised that it's lasted this long,” Hutton said. “I'm thankful. I'm blessed, and I have to think part of that's because when I started, I didn't want to be a player, an ex-player who's up in the booth, who's a broadcaster. I wanted to become a broadcaster.”
Hutton’s presence in the booth is something Marlins fans could depend upon over the years, as his analysis complemented play-by-play partners Joe Angel, Dave O'Brien, Len Kasper, Rich Waltz, Paul Severino and Kyle Sielaff. From Dan Uggla home run calls to the 2003 World Series run, Hutton was there.
Thanks to advice from legends of the game like Vin Scully and Harry Caray, Hutton developed a broadcasting style that didn’t shy away from rants, endearing himself to fans of the club that felt seen and heard.
“My style would be defined by honesty and passion,” Hutton said. “I think the people who watched Marlins games that I was involved in knew that I was honest, knew that I was having fun up in the booth and knew that I had a passion for the game as well.”
As part of the day’s festivities, Hutton caught ceremonial first pitches from each of his three granddaughters -- all of whom wore No. 14 Hutton Marlins jerseys -- with his wife and two sons in attendance.
The Marlins tipped their caps to Hutton in the broadcast booth prior to the start of the third inning, and the organization scattered tribute videos throughout the game on Marlins Vision.
“I'm happy, because I know what the outcome is going to be. I know at the end of the year it's going to be finalized, and I'm fine with that,” Hutton said. “I'm looking forward to today. ... I think next year, next Spring Training, it might really hit me that I'm not involved in the game. But you know what? You never know. I could be involved somehow.”