The man who called the most historic home runs in baseball history

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From recording his own crowd noise on a tape recorder as a teenager to becoming the definitive voice of the San Francisco Giants, Jon Miller has shaped the way millions experience the game. He is the man behind the calls for some of baseball's most legendary moments.

Born in 1951 at Hamilton Air Force Base, Miller’s passion for broadcasting began long before he reached the professional booth. As a teenager, he would record his own play-by-play commentary on a tape recorder, even adding artificial crowd noise and vendor calls to simulate a live stadium atmosphere. This early dedication led him to the College of San Mateo, where he began his professional journey in local radio and television. After his studies, he served as the sports director for KFTY-TV in Santa Rosa. He later secured his first professional baseball assignment in 1974, calling games for the Oakland Athletics.

Miller's career is defined by his ability to capture history as it happens. He was the voice behind Barry Bonds' historic 71st home run in 2001 and his record-breaking 756th home run in 2007. He also famously called the 2012 World Series, where he described Pablo Sandoval's performance as making 'The Babe' himself seem like he had returned to life. His commentary is noted for its easygoing humor and a commitment to pronouncing foreign names with their correct original pronunciations. His legendary commentary included a famous 2003 call regarding the worst baserunning in baseball history. He also provided national coverage for ESPN from 1990 until 2010.

Despite his success, Miller's path was not without friction. In 1996, the Baltimore Orioles declined to renew his contract because owner Peter Angelos wanted a broadcaster who would show more intense team loyalty. This led Miller back to his home in the Bay Area, where he joined the San Francisco Giants in 1997. A key personality in the game, he was granted the Ford C. the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Frick Award during 2010. He has also lent his voice to various media, including a cameo in the television series Arliss. Additionally, he authored a book titled Confessions of a Baseball Purist.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The unlikely slugger who hit only one home run in his entire career
• The voice of the Dodgers: How Vin Scully defined baseball broadcasting for 67 years
• How Mason Miller transformed from a homeschooled college student into baseball's most feared closer
• The voice of history: how one announcer captured baseball's most iconic moments
• The pitcher who threw a perfect game in high school
• The high school scorer who refused to leave until he hit fifty.
• Why a female protagonist was once considered a risk to a global franchise
• From youth academy prospect to the successor of a legend
• How a failed science fiction experiment became a cinematic disaster
• The Lithuanian force who redefined the Toronto Raptors' interior presence
• In the Florida Everglades, a prisoner fights to save her father from a cosmic fate.
• From foster care to the NFL draft's first round

More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics