Awful Announcing's radio broadcast rankings show just how spoiled Guardians fans are

If you’re a Cleveland Guardians fan then chances are you have some moment in your fandom that’s been narrated by Tom Hamilton. 

Whether it’s Rajai Davis’ home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, David Fry’s walk-off homer against the Yankees last season or a random game across the 162-slate, Hamilton makes every game seem important while providing a levity that makes it seem like he’s sitting on the couch or in the car next to you. 

We got another reminder of how good he is earlier this week when Awful Announcing put out its annual ranking of the top radio broadcast teams in baseball, where the Guardians team of Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus came in fourth. 

Hamilton, who has been with the Guardians since 1990 is a big reason for this award, as he’s one of the best announcers in the sport and was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this year when he won the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award. 

It also showcased the perceived difference between the Guardians TV booth, which came in 20th earlier this year in the same ranking. 

“Hamilton drew specific praise for his fair approach, including “has crazy energy for not only the Guardians but the other team as well.” A couple of fans of other teams commented on how much they liked him, with one saying, “I’m a Yankee fan but Tom Ham is the best announcer in baseball,” and another adding, “After hearing a few Tigers-Guardians road games from Hamilton, I understand why he is a Hall of Famer.” But, proving that nothing is ever unanimous, one respondent called him “Homer Hamilton” and described him as “the worst announcer in MLB,” and another had him as “probably the most overrated broadcaster in baseball. Gas bag,’” wrote AA’s Andrew Buckholtz. 

Hamilton’s made a career out of calling games at “the corner of Carnegie and Ontario,” and is known for a broadcasting style that punctuates any moment of magnitude (and provided the inspiration for the name of the site!)

Two years ago, the entire baseball world got to appreciate Hamilton’s creativity and play-by-play acumen when José Ramírez fought Tim Anderson, which led to Hamilton letting loose his now iconic call of “down goes Anderson.” 

The three teams that finished ahead of the Guardians were the Cubs, Padres and Giants — all of whom have equally iconic broadcast teams that make listening to the game on the radio seem like a dream. 

The Guardians have provided Hamilton will plenty of signature moments over the past month as they’ve worked their way into the thick of the postseason picture, but it remains to be seen if the season will end with Hamilton saying “Cleveland, you will have an October to remember.”