Chuck Thompson, carved in stone
Over at baltimoresun.com's latest sports blog, the wonderfully conceptualized and executed Connolly's Corner Sports Bar, my colleague Dan Connolly asked for a fourth head to join Brooks Robinson, John Unitas and Cal Ripken Jr. on Baltimore sports' Mount Rushmore. He has been flooded with suggestions, and of particular interest to Mr. Medium Well was that several respondents have suggested Chuck Thompson.
It speaks to the depth of affection and respect Thompson earned across his multi-generational career as voice of the Colts and Orioles that fans would consider him just as much of an iconic figure as the men whose deeds he so evocatively chronicled. I haven't lived in a lot of different cities, but I wonder in how many other places you could have asked the same question as Dan did and receive multiple suggestions that a sportscaster be honored among the town's most-revered athletes. Ernie Harwell in Detroit? Vin Scully in Los Angeles?
So if I were to ask you for your all-time favorite Baltimore sportscasters, it probably would be wise just to say Chuck Thompson is No. 1 and ask for those whom you would line up behind him. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thompson photo: Sun files 1991
Comments
Sorry, Chuck, I love you, but Jon Miller is still the best to ever work in Baltimore.
Posted by: eric | April 22, 2008 6:40 PM
Sorry, Eric, but Jon Miller is a consummate showman whose generic act works wherever he goes.
Chuck Thompson was the consummate Baltimorean whose hard work, straightforward style and amazing specificity put the focus where it belongs, on the field.
Miller definitely makes my list, though.
Posted by: j. roberts | April 22, 2008 7:10 PM
Without a doubt, Chuck Thompson. The man did it all -- Orioles, Colts, original Bullets, Navy football, National Boh commercials. He also did Major League Baseball on NBC in the late '50's and the NFL on CBS as well as the '58 Colts-Giants game on NBC-TV. Many have probably forgotten that he replaced Bill Dyer as the voice of the International League Orioles in 1949 and also broadcast the AAFC Colts when Y. A. Tittle was their quarterback. As far as I am concerned, Chuck Thompson should, indeed, be included with Brooks, Johnny U. and Cal on any Baltimore version of Mount Rushmore. Remember the long ovation he received from the fans at the Orioles' last weekend at Memorial Stadium? That said it all about his place in Baltimore sports history.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 22, 2008 7:32 PM
As someone who is about to turn 41 in a few days and grew up when it was a treat to see a ballgame on TV, I would have to say Chuck was No. 1 and Bill O'Donnell was No. 1A. To listen to them on the radio made you feel like you were at the game with them. When the Orioles were home. Chuck always said, "Come on down to the stadium, plenty of good seats available." Listening to them helped my love of baseball become before it was ruined by Peter the Terrible. Jon Miller, while great, wasn't here long enough thanks to Peter the Terrible. Of course, there is the Dean of Baltimore Sportscasters, Vince Bagli, who I saw on Channel 11 the other night and still looks great. Ain't the Beer Cold and Go to War, Miss Agnes. Thanks, Chuck; thanks, Bill; thanks, Jon; and thanks, Vince.
Posted by: Jeff | April 22, 2008 7:51 PM
No doubt Chuck Thompson is the quintessential Baltimore sports voice. I would label Bill O'Donnell as 1A also for the same reason as Jeff. Growing up with Chuck and Bill solidified my love of baseball.
Jon Miller is great, but I cannot see him on Baltimore's Mount Rushmore.
There is one other name missing from the previous posts: Mel Proctor. For the first decade+ of HTS, he was the play-by-play guy for the Orioles, and he was absolutely fantastic. He had a great sense of humor and always got so excited every time the O's hit a homer. Another casualty of Peter "Napolean Jr." Angelos. Try to imagine Proctor and Lowenstein calling 162 games for MASN today. Thorne may be good, but I would love to here those guys together again.
Posted by: Scooter | April 23, 2008 6:39 AM