Hall of Fame Sports Broadcaster. He served as the play-by-play man for the Houston Astros from 1962 until 1986. Born Robert Eugene Elston, his father was the proprietor of a grocery store and bar, Gene played multiple sports during his youth, including baseball, basketball and football. Following high school graduation, he found an interest in radio and landed a job with a local station in his native Fort Dodge, Iowa. His first experience as a broadcaster came, when he called an exhibition game between the Chicago Cubs and White Sox. After service with the United States Navy during World War II, he resumed his career and experienced his big break within the industry, when he became a broadcaster for the Cleveland Rams. After that stint, he called Minor League baseball games. He reached the Major League level in 1954, when he was hired to announce Chicago Cubs’ games. In 1961, he joined the broadcast team of the newly-formed Houston Colt .45s (later Astros) and remained there until 1986. During the course of his career, he called eleven no- hit contests, Eddie Mathews’ 500th career home run and the Astros’ clinching of the National League Western Division Title in 1986. The game was highlighted by Mike Scott’s no-hit effort. After leaving the Astros, he worked nationally broadcast games on radio with CBS. Additionally, he called various sporting events with the University of Houston. He was honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as the recipient of the Ford A. Frick Award in 2006.
Hall of Fame Sports Broadcaster. He served as the play-by-play man for the Houston Astros from 1962 until 1986. Born Robert Eugene Elston, his father was the proprietor of a grocery store and bar, Gene played multiple sports during his youth, including baseball, basketball and football. Following high school graduation, he found an interest in radio and landed a job with a local station in his native Fort Dodge, Iowa. His first experience as a broadcaster came, when he called an exhibition game between the Chicago Cubs and White Sox. After service with the United States Navy during World War II, he resumed his career and experienced his big break within the industry, when he became a broadcaster for the Cleveland Rams. After that stint, he called Minor League baseball games. He reached the Major League level in 1954, when he was hired to announce Chicago Cubs’ games. In 1961, he joined the broadcast team of the newly-formed Houston Colt .45s (later Astros) and remained there until 1986. During the course of his career, he called eleven no- hit contests, Eddie Mathews’ 500th career home run and the Astros’ clinching of the National League Western Division Title in 1986. The game was highlighted by Mike Scott’s no-hit effort. After leaving the Astros, he worked nationally broadcast games on radio with CBS. Additionally, he called various sporting events with the University of Houston. He was honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as the recipient of the Ford A. Frick Award in 2006.
Bio by: C.S.
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ARM3, US Navy, World War II
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