Professional career

Originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent, he debuted as a starter for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962 and posted a 9-12 record with an earned run average of 5.09. He showed more promise pitching out of the bullpen, and spent most of his career as a relief pitcher until his retirement in 1969, although he was converted back to a starting pitcher for the 1966 and 1967 seasons.

In 1967, Hamilton was enjoying one of the best seasons of his career when he was traded by the New York Mets to the California Angels. On August 18, the Angels were playing the Boston Red Sox in a game that would have important implications for the American League pennant race. The game became a turning point in the careers of two players. Facing Red Sox outfielder Tony Conigliaro, who was set in a stance close to home plate, Hamilton hit Conigliaro with a pitch on the left cheekbone that fractured his cheekbone and eye socket and severely damaged his retina. Conigliaro nearly died, and the damage to his vision kept him off the field the remainder of the year and all of 1968. Conigliaro made a promising-but-brief comeback in 1969-1970 until his vision problems returned, which eventually forced his early retirement from baseball in 1975 at age 30. Hamilton retired in 1969, finishing his career with the Chicago White Sox.

Personal life

Hamilton currently lives in Branson, Missouri with his wife, Jan. They have a son and two daughters. Since his retirement from Major League Baseball, Hamilton has owned and operated several restaurants in Iowa and Southwest Missouri.

Career highlights

Accomplishments

• pitched a 7 inning no-hitter in the Appalachian League for the Wytheville Cardinals, beating the Kingsport Orioles 5-0. His opponent was legendary minor-leaguer Steve Dalkowski. (August 8, 1957)
• a 10-strikeout, complete game 12-2 win vs. the Chicago Cubs (May 11, 1962)
• a two-hit, complete game shutout vs. the Houston Colt .45s (June 26, 1962...game # 2)
• a one-hit, complete game shutout vs. the St. Louis Cardinals (May 4, 1966). The lone hit was a bunt single by Hamilton's mound opponent, Ray Sadecki.
• hit his first and only major league home run, a grand slam, against Al Jackson of the St. Louis Cardinals (May 20, 1967)

Notable statistics

• led the Midwest League with 16 losses and 156 bases on balls while playing for the Keokuk Cardinals in 1958
• led the Eastern League with 134 bases on balls while pitching for the York White Roses in 1959
• led the National League with 107 bases on balls and 22 wild pitches while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962
• led the International League with a 2.42 ERA while playing for the Syracuse Chiefs in 1965
• threw a total of 74 wild pitches in 611.2 innings.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]