Gene Elston, Houston Astros Voice And Hall of Famer, Passes Away

Elston

Condolences to family, friends, and fans of the original play-by-play voice of the HOUSTON ASTROS, Hall of Famer GENE ELSTON, who died SATURDAY (9/5) at 93.

ELSTON was the voice of the club from its inception in 1962 as the HOUSTON COLT .45S through its renaming as the ASTROS upon the franchise's move into the ASTRODOME in 1965 until 1986, including 11 no-hitters and EDDIE MATTHEWS' 500th home run.  He started as the radio analyst for CLEVELAND RAMS football in 1945, then called minor league baseball, moving up to MUTUAL BROADCASTING NETWORK to call major league baseball alongside BOB FELLER.  He also called CBS RADIO's Game of the Week in 1987-95 and playoffs in 1995-97.

ELSTON was the 2006 recipient of the FORD C. FRICK Award from the BASEBALL HALL OF FAME in 2006.  He was also a member of the TEXAS BASEBALL HALL OF FAME and TEXAS RADIO HALL OF FAME.  Among the broadcasters who worked with ELSTON on ASTROS broadcasts were fellow FRICK award winners HARRY KALAS, MILO HAMILTON, and BOB PRINCE, and LOEL PASSE, who worked with ELSTON from 1962 through 1976.

« see more Net News