Voice of the Orioles
Chuck Thompson was one of the best play-by-play men who ever lived. He was equally adept at announcing baseball and football, and he was a comfortable listen on either radio or TV. He was smooth, professional, prepared, precise in his descriptions, and he possessed an amazing voice
Chuck became famous broadcasting games for the Baltimore Orioles, and the Baltimore Colts of the NFL. He was on the job during the glory days of both franchises, but it is probably his radio work of Orioles baseball that is the richest part of his legacy. This CD spotlights his exceptional radio baseball wizardry.
Track 4 begins with Chuck calling the memorable back-to-back first-inning homeruns by Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson against Don Drysdale in Game 1 of the 1966 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Beginning in ’66, the O’s won 4 American League pennants in a 6 year span. The 1970 Orioles regular season highlights are the focus of track 5, and the sensational defensive play by Brooks in the 1970 World Series is the subject of track 6. Thompson’s call of that famous play by Brooks is, in my opinion, one of the best pieces of play-by-play of his entire career. The 1970 World Series is covered in detail on track 7.
Later tracks will feature Chuck Thompson’s brilliant announcing of Jim Palmer’s no-hitter, Al Kaline’s 3,000th hit, the 1960 World Series, and track 13 is a montage of highlights we simply titled “Orioles Memories.” Chuck was working on October 6th, 1991 during the Orioles final game ever played at Memorial Stadium that promises to bring back emotional memories for longtime Baltimore fans, as will clips of his Cooperstown Hall of Fame acceptance speech from 1993.
Chuck Thompson was a gifted game-caller, and if you were a fan of his, you will love this CD!
Pat Hughes
November 2014
Track Listing
1. Open
2. Intro
3. Chuck Thompson
4. 1966 World Series
5. 1970 Orioles
6. Brooks 10-10-70
7. 1970 World Series
8. Early Days
9. Colts/Football
10. 1960 World Series
11. Al Kaline #3,000
12. Jim Palmer No-Hitter
13. Orioles Memories
14. Memorial Stadium Finale
15. Cooperstown
16. Legacy
17. Close
18. Credits