David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reports that Milo Hamilton is calling it a career a bit sooner than he had hoped.

Barron writes:

Former Astros announcer Milo Hamilton said Tuesday he is undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of the chronic form of leukemia from which he has suffered since 1974 and that he has called the final major league game of his 63-year career in radio.

Hamilton, 85, had hoped to make a road trip with the Astros this year to Detroit to call a game at the 60th ballpark in which he has worked Major League Baseball games since 1953. However, he said health issues from earlier this year and the recent decision by doctors that he will require two days of chemo each month will keep him at home.

He said he would not consider making a one-game road trip next year to make it to 60 ballparks and is satisfied with 59.

“I don’t think anybody else cares about 60,” he said during an impromptu news conference in the Astros’ dugout. “Maybe I built it up too much. It’s a fact of life now, and that’s OK.”

Think about it: 63 years in the booth. That’s quite a run.

Barron writes:

Hamilton, who has called major league games since 1953 for the Browns, Cardinals, Cubs, White Sox, Braves, Pirates and, from 1985 through last year, the Astros, has always placed great pride in his longevity and his assorted statistical milestones but is content with the decision not to try another road trip.

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “Sixty-three years, I’ll take that. I thought if I could do 25 it was going to be a career.”