Steve Hamilton – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Steve Hamilton was a rare two-sport professional athlete who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1961 to 1972, wrapping up his career with the Chicago Cubs. At 6’6″, this left-handed pitcher put together a 40-31 record and a 3.05 earned run average for six different teams. Hamilton pitched in two World Series for the New York Yankees, and fans still remember his quirky “Folly Floater” pitch—hitters didn’t love it, but it sure made for some fun moments.

Before he focused solely on baseball, Hamilton pulled off something wild—he was one of just 13 people ever to play in both the NBA and MLB. He spent two seasons with the Minneapolis Lakers from 1958 to 1960, playing with future Hall of Famers and even making it to the NBA Finals. That kind of background shaped his athletic mindset and probably gave him an edge as a pitcher. His basketball wingspan? That made for some nasty angles on the mound.

Hamilton’s path from a small Kentucky town to the big leagues started with his college days at Morehead State University, where he dominated. He climbed through the minors and became a go-to relief pitcher. His story shows just how different pro sports were back then—guys could actually dream of careers in more than one league. After retiring, he didn’t just disappear; he went on to coach and work in athletics administration, leaving a lasting mark.

Early Life and Collegiate Athletics

Steve Hamilton grew up in Kentucky, and those early years set the stage for a pretty remarkable athletic career. At Morehead State University, he did what most athletes can only dream about—he starred in three sports at a time when that was almost unheard of.

Childhood and Family Background

Steven Absher Hamilton was born on November 30, 1934, in Columbia, Kentucky. He spent his early years in a modest family that encouraged his budding love of sports.

Eventually, Hamilton’s family moved to Indiana, and he went to Charlestown High School. That’s where he started to build the skills that would define his future.

He was already tall and lean—6’6″, 190 pounds—so he looked like an athlete right out of the gate. Recruiters noticed him, and it wasn’t hard to see why.

After high school, Hamilton chose Morehead State University in Kentucky. That decision changed the course of his life, both as an athlete and as a lifelong supporter of the school.

Achievements at Morehead State

Hamilton’s college years at Morehead State were just packed with success. He played on Ohio Valley Conference championship teams in baseball, basketball, and track.

His basketball skills stood out most, and he helped Morehead State reach the NCAA Basketball Championships. Competing at that level? That’s no small feat.

On the baseball diamond, Hamilton’s pitching abilities really took off. His left-handed delivery, combined with his height, made him a tough matchup on the mound.

He didn’t just stick to those two sports—he excelled in track and field as well. Winning conference championships in three different sports? That just didn’t happen much in those days.

Dual-Sport College Career

Hamilton did something almost nobody else has done—he played in the NCAA Basketball Championships, a Major League Baseball World Series, and an NBA Championship Series. That journey started with basketball at Morehead State.

He took his hoops career to the next level, joining the Minneapolis Lakers in the NBA. That happened while he was still working his way up in baseball.

His height and athleticism made him valuable in both sports. Honestly, his basketball background probably helped his hand-eye coordination and gave him a competitive edge as a pitcher.

Hamilton earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehead State in 1958. He came back and finished his master’s in 1963, showing he cared about education, not just sports.

Those college years built the foundation for a lifelong bond with Morehead State. He’d eventually return as a coach and administrator.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Steve Hamilton put together a solid 12-year run in Major League Baseball from 1961 to 1972, playing for six teams: the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, and Chicago Cubs. As a 6’6″ lefty, he racked up a 40-31 record, a 3.05 ERA, and 531 strikeouts, mostly as a reliever but sometimes as a starter.

Major League Debut and Teams

Hamilton debuted in the majors on April 23, 1961, with the Cleveland Indians at age 26. After a short stint in Cleveland, he got traded to the Washington Senators in 1962.

The Senators gave him his first real shot in the big leagues from 1962 to 1963. In 1963, he joined the New York Yankees, where he’d spend most of his career until 1970.

His time with the Yankees was definitely his best stretch. Hamilton became a steady middle reliever and even closed games in 1968.

After New York, he pitched for the Chicago White Sox in 1970, joined the San Francisco Giants in 1971, and finished up with the Chicago Cubs in 1972.

He made his final MLB appearance on August 16, 1972, wearing a Cubs jersey. Moving through six teams, Hamilton showed he could adapt and stick around.

Career Statistics and Highlights

Hamilton played in 421 games, starting just 17 of them. He finished with a 40-31 win-loss record, a 3.05 ERA, and 42 saves.

His best years came with the Yankees. In 1964, he went 7-2, posting a .778 winning percentage. Two years later, he finished 8-3 with a .727 mark.

Hamilton’s lowest ERA was 1.39 in 1965, and he followed that up with a 2.13 ERA in 1968. In his first Yankees season, 1963, he struck out 63 batters in 62.1 innings—more than one per inning.

His height and sidearm delivery gave hitters fits, especially lefties.

Notable Moments and Achievements

Hamilton’s World Series innings came during his years with the Yankees. He pitched one inning in the 1963 World Series against the Dodgers and two innings in the 1964 Series versus the Cardinals, even picking up a save.

He tossed his only complete game shutout on August 5, 1966, against the Cleveland Indians. Hamilton gave up five hits, walked one, and struck out three as the Yankees won.

Later in his career, fans and hitters alike knew him for the “Folly Floater,” a high, slow eephus pitch that became his trademark. That pitch really added to his reputation as a creative pitcher.

Hamilton also pitched in the 1971 NLCS for the San Francisco Giants, adding a bit more playoff experience to his resume.

He stands out as one of only 13 athletes to play in both the NBA and MLB, having played for the Minneapolis Lakers before his baseball days.

Signature Pitch and Impact on the Game

Steve Hamilton’s career took a fun turn when he came up with the “Folly Floater,” a high-arcing eephus pitch that everyone started talking about. Fans at Yankee Stadium loved it, and people compared it to some of the quirkiest pitches in baseball history.

Origins of the ‘Folly Floater’

Hamilton started throwing the Folly Floater while pitching for the New York Yankees in the late 1960s. At 6’7″, he’d launch the pitch way up, letting it drift down over the plate.

The pitch was part show, part strategy. Yankees fans started asking for the Folly Floater in late innings when the game was already decided. Hamilton usually gave them what they wanted, and it made for a cool connection with the crowd.

He didn’t need the pitch to get outs—his sidearm slider was already tough on lefties. In 1968, he had 11 saves and a 2.13 ERA, so he was still plenty effective with his regular stuff.

Famous Appearances and Outcomes

The Folly Floater’s most famous moment came on June 24, 1970, against the Cleveland Indians. Hamilton faced Tony Horton in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. The crowd went nuts as the first pitch floated in, and Horton fouled it off.

Horton asked for another, and Hamilton obliged. Horton fouled out to catcher Thurman Munson, and the place erupted. Hamilton raised his arms and walked off to cheers—what a scene.

The pitch didn’t always fool everyone. On July 7, 1970, he lobbed it to Frank Howard of the Senators, and Howard smacked it for a hit. Sometimes you just have to laugh.

Influence of Rip Sewell

Hamilton’s Folly Floater followed in the footsteps of Rip Sewell’s eephus pitch back in the 1940s. Sewell, pitching for the Pirates, made hitters look silly with his high-arcing delivery.

Writers didn’t always love these pitches at first. Washington columnist Shirley Povich pointed out that folks once called Sewell’s pitch “bush league,” but when Yankees fans got into it, Hamilton’s version became a hit.

The link between Hamilton and Sewell shows how baseball’s attitude toward weird pitches changes depending on the crowd and the moment. What seemed like a gimmick in one era turned into showmanship in another, and both pitchers proved you could succeed in MLB by doing things a little differently.

Basketball and Multi-Sport Achievements

Hamilton wasn’t just a baseball player—he was one of only 13 people to play in both Major League Baseball and the NBA. His time with the Minneapolis Lakers and his rare dual-sport career put him in a club almost nobody else can join.

Minneapolis Lakers Career

Hamilton played two seasons with the Minneapolis Lakers from 1958 to 1960, filling in at forward and center. At 6’6″ and 190 pounds, he brought his college height and athleticism to the pro basketball court.

He played in 82 regular season games during his NBA career. Hamilton averaged 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. His best year was 1959-60, when he played 15 games and averaged 5.1 points, shooting 37.7% from the floor.

He got a taste of the big stage right away. In his rookie season, the 1958-59 Lakers made it to the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, though the Celtics swept them 4-0. The last game was on April 8, 1959.

Historic Dual-Sport Milestones

Hamilton pulled off something almost nobody else has managed. He’s one of just two people to play in both a World Series and an NBA Finals, joining Gene Conley in that exclusive club.

He pitched in both the 1963 and 1964 World Series with the Yankees. In 1963, he threw one inning against the Dodgers. In 1964, he pitched two innings and picked up a save against the Cardinals.

The timing worked out for Hamilton in the late 1950s. The NBA had just 72 games, and MLB played 154. Shorter seasons and simpler schedules meant he could actually switch between sports—something that’s basically impossible now.

Hamilton stands among only 13 athletes who played in both the NBA and MLB. That group includes names like Danny Ainge, Gene Conley, Dave DeBusschere, and Dick Groat.

Coaching, Leadership, and Post-Retirement Roles

Steve Hamilton moved on from pro baseball and built a long career in coaching and administration. He scouted for the New York Yankees, coached with the Detroit Tigers, and had a big impact at Morehead State University.

MLB Coaching and Scouting Positions

Hamilton started his post-playing career in 1973 as a scout for the New York Yankees. He used his experience as a former player to spot talent for his old team.

In 1975, the Detroit Tigers hired him as their pitching coach. Hamilton brought the knowledge of a relief pitcher to help develop the Tigers’ pitching staff.

As a pitching coach, Hamilton got hands-on time with professional players. He passed along techniques from his 12-year career, including tips on his quirky “folly-floater” pitch.

These early coaching jobs gave Hamilton a solid foundation for his later work in college baseball. He learned a lot about player development and how to manage a team.
Player development became a key part of his approach.

Collegiate Baseball Coaching Tenure

Hamilton took over as head baseball coach at Morehead State University in 1976. This job kicked off the most successful stretch of his coaching career.

Hamilton earned Ohio Valley Conference coach of the year honors five times. That’s a big deal—it shows he kept building winning teams year after year.

His coaching philosophy probably came from all those years playing pro ball. Hamilton played for five different teams, so he saw a bunch of coaching styles and team cultures.

Under his leadership, Morehead State’s baseball program thrived. Hamilton’s knack for recruiting and developing players turned the school into a real contender in college baseball.

Role as Morehead State Athletic Director

In 1988, Hamilton moved up from baseball coach to athletic director at Morehead State University. The university picked him for his leadership and ability to handle big-picture responsibilities.

As athletic director, Hamilton managed all the university’s sports programs. He took on more than just baseball—he handled budgets, planned facilities, and worked on program growth.

This job called for a different skill set than coaching a single team. Hamilton had to juggle priorities across many sports and still keep the university’s athletic reputation strong.

His background as a pro player and a successful coach gave him a unique perspective. He really understood what student-athletes and coaches needed in different sports.

Personal Life, Legacy, and Final Years

Steve Hamilton’s life after baseball showed his deep dedication to sports and education. Unfortunately, health issues eventually ended his work sooner than anyone hoped.

He fought cancer during his later years and passed away in 1997 at his home in Kentucky.

Honors and Recognitions

Hamilton pulled off something almost nobody does in pro sports. He played in both a World Series and an NBA Finals, joining Gene Conley as one of just two athletes with that distinction.

At Morehead State University, Hamilton’s college career left a lasting mark. He scored 1,829 points, which puts him fourth all-time at the school. He also set five rebounding records that stood for quite a while.

The Ohio Valley Conference named him to the All-Conference First Team twice. In 1957, he picked up All-American honors for basketball.

Hamilton joined a rare group—just 13 athletes have played in both Major League Baseball and the NBA. His dual-sport career really made him stand out in sports history.

Health Challenges and Passing

Cancer came for Hamilton in his later years, and he faced it at his home in Morehead, Kentucky. He fought colon cancer for as long as he could.

On December 2, 1997, Hamilton passed away at age 63. He died in the same town where he’d gone to college years earlier.

They buried him at Forest Lawn Garden of Memories near Morehead. That spot reflected just how much he meant to the Kentucky community where he built his athletic legacy.

Hamilton’s death closed the book on a remarkable sports career that spanned both baseball and basketball at the highest level. Baseball publications and former teammates remembered him for his unique pitching style and his place in sports history.

Continued Influence on Athletics

After he retired from baseball, Hamilton stayed close to the sport by coaching. In 1975, he joined the Detroit Tigers as a coach and shared his experience with younger players.

Hamilton later went back to Morehead State University to take on the role of athletic director. That move gave him a chance to shape the athletic program at his old school and influence future student-athletes.

You can even find his interview in Studs Terkel’s bestselling book “Working.” Terkel included Hamilton’s thoughts on professional athletics and what it’s like to move on from a sports career.

People still talk about Hamilton’s “Folly Floater” pitch. This eephus pitch became a quirky part of baseball folklore, landing him a spot among the game’s most memorable specialty pitches. Honestly, it’s a big reason his legacy continues long after his playing days ended.