Keene State Mourns The Loss of Brian Hamilton '97
Keene State College doesn’t have an all-time baseball team, but if it did Brian Hamilton would be right in the middle of the batting order. Hamilton left a major void in that line-up with his recent death.
Longtime Keene State baseball coach Ken Howe said he was shocked to hear about Hamilton’s passing and said the news traveled quickly through the Owl baseball fraternity. “Brian will be remembered fondly for his days at Keene State,” said Howe.
On the diamond, Hamilton more than lived up to his nickname “Hammer”. Despite playing just three seasons for the Owls (1994, 1996-1997), the Windham, N.H. native at one time held career records for runs (90), stolen bases (26), and home runs (14), as well as season marks for average (.462), runs (37), and triples (6). His season batting average of .462 still stands in the KSC record book.
“Brian was an unbelievable athlete not only in baseball, but in every sport he played,” said Howe. “He was not only a five-tool player who could hit for average and power as well as throw and run, but also a gamer who played hard from the first to the last inning of a game.”
Former teammate and current KSC associate head coach Marty Testo called Hamilton a great teammate and one of the best players that he ever played alongside during his career. “Brian was built like an Adonis - 6-3, 215 lbs. He was a middle-of-the-order hitter in a Division II league that at the time was absolutely stacked with talent. So he was special.”
Hamilton arrived at Keene State after a standout out career as a three-sport (football, basketball and baseball) athlete at Pinkerton Academy. Leading his baseball team to the state championship his sophomore season, he capped off his Astros career by batting .386 as a senior and earning All-State honors.
Stepping right into the Owls’ starting line-up, Hamilton, an outfielder, was named the New England Collegiate Conference Rookie of the Year after leading the team in multiple offensive categories. Hamilton shined against some of the top teams in the NECC, cracking two home runs and driving in five runs in a game against Sacred Heart.
After sitting out the 1995 season, Hamilton came back with vengeance, earning All-NECC second-team honors in 1997. He saved best for last, hitting a scorching and conference-leading .462 as a senior. In a story following his final season, Hamilton spoke about his many goals. “I put on my cap that one of my goals this season was to bat over .400. When I got over .450, I had to scratch it off and put .500 instead.”
His prowess at the plate earned not only earned him first-team All-NECC honors and second-team All-Region recognition, but also scrutiny by several professional scouts.
While baseball was a big part of his life, it wasn’t the only thing in his life. A devoted son, brother, dad, husband and friend, the Hammer will be missed. Like the way he used to carry a bat to the plate, those who had a chance to know him will now carry his heart in their heart. An excerpt from the memorial page set up to create a scholarship fund for his two children Brian and Cecelia reads: “Hammer…In the end you will always be a Hamilton. We carry your heart. We carry your heart in our hearts.”
