A noted fastball pitcher Steve Hamilton is best remembered for his relief work during his six-plus seasons for the New York Yankees, 1964-71. In 1964 he rang up a 7-2 record with 3 saves, completed 1-of-3 starts and 27 relief appearances, striking out 49 in 60.1 innings. He followed that with a 3-1 record, 5 saves and a stingy 1.39 ERA in 58.1 innings in 1965. Then an 8-3 record with 3 saves in 1966. What most Yankees fans recall about Steve Hamilton was his pitch called the Folly Floater, which he would lob way-high in the air at a slow, slow, slow speed that would float down, down, down and frustrate batters. He never threw it with runners on base but would use it whenever he wanted to if the bases were empty. The pitch was timed at 32 miles per hour. Steve Hamilton helped the New York Yankees reach two World Series 1963, 1964, and he appeared in 3 games in the Series. In his career the 6 ft 7 inch, 200-pound Steve Hamilton struck out 531 in 663 innings. A college basketball star at Morehead State, Steve Hamilton played two season with the Minneapolis Lakers 1958-1960. He also pitched in the minors at Burlington, Reading, Mobile, Salt Lake City and Jacksonville, 1958-1962. |