The Miami Marlins have announced that August 23, 2024, will be marked as 'Thank You Tommy Day,' a tribute to longtime broadcaster Tommy Hutton. The ceremony will precede a regular-season game and include a special on‑field moment when Hutton's granddaughters take the mound to throw the first pitch.
Hutton's professional journey stretches across six decades, encompassing a 12‑year playing career and more than 40 years of broadcasting. After debuting with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1966, he spent time with the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Montreal Expos and New York Yankees before transitioning to the microphone.
A career defined by longevity and humility
Though his .248 career batting average and .995 fielding percentage at first base are modest by today's standards, Hutton is remembered for never being hit by a pitch in 952 games and for a .320 average against Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, a feat he achieved in just 62 plate appearances.
Immediately after hanging up his glove in 1981, Hutton began a broadcasting career that took him from the Expos to the Yankees, the Blue Jays, ESPN and back to the Marlins. His work earned an Emmy Award and a place in the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame, and he notably spoke at the 2012 memorial service for his former teammate Gary Carter.
The upcoming tribute will feature a pregame ceremony that honors Hutton's contributions to the sport and to the Marlins community. In addition to the first‑pitch moment with his granddaughters, the event will include remarks from Marlins ownership and fellow baseball figures who have worked alongside him for years.
Marlins owner Bruce Sherman and senior executives have praised Hutton's humility and professionalism, noting that his influence extends beyond statistics to the way he has mentored players and connected with fans. The ceremony underscores the deep personal ties that have defined his six‑decade involvement in baseball.