Do Jon Miller and/or Gary Thorne belong in the Orioles Hall of Fame?

[Frobby]

The following announcers are in the Orioles Hall of Fame: Chuck Thompson (announced O’s games fron 1955-56, 1962-87), Bill O’Donnell (1966-82), Joe Angel (1988-90, 1992, 2004-18) and Fred Manfra (1993-2017).

All had longer tenures than either Jon Miller (1983-96) or Gary Thorne (2007-19).  Both Miller and Thorne’s tenure ended amidst contract disputes, while the above four all retired of their own volition.  Miller by now is far more associated with the San Francisco Giants, where he’s been for 27 years.  But of course, there are many plsyers in the Orioles Hall of Fame who had longer tenures elsewhere and are more associated with other teams. 

From a quality standpoint, Miller is already in the Baseball Hall of Fame and it’s hard to dispute how great he was with the O’s.   Thorne is more subject to opinion, but I’d easily put him ahead of Manfra in terms of quality. 

We don’t want too many announcers adding to the existing clutter in the OHOF, but I’m curious what people think.  I suspect that neither was ever going in while the Angelos family owned the team, given the circumstances of their departures, but today’s a different day.  What say you?
 

 

Edited Tuesday at 04:44 by Frobby

[Moose Milligan]

Yes. And as a gift for Thorne, they should give him his job back. 
 

Imagine no Blink-182 references…it’s easy if you try…

[baltimoriole]

How can you ask a question like this and not include Joe Angel?  IMO he was better than both Thorne or Miller.

[dystopia]

1 minute ago, baltimoriole said:

How can you ask a question like this and not include Joe Angel?  IMO he was better than both Thorne or Miller.

Because he's already there.

Anyway, if Manfra is there why shouldn't these two be there?

[baltfan]

10 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Yes. And as a gift for Thorne, they should give him his job back. 
 

Imagine no Blink-182 references…it’s easy if you try…

What an amazing call.  

[InsideCoroner]

I prefer Miller over Thorne but I think if you did a key job well for the club for a dozen or more years, the O's HOF shouldn't be off limits. I missed both when they were gone. 

[Aristotelian]

Absolutely yes. Just one of many examples of Angelos pettiness. Question is would either accept.

[RZNJ]

Miller was/is a great announcer.   Thorne was ok.    Miller knows the game and understands the strategy.   Best ever.   Thorne is Kevin Brown with a deeper voice.  No contest.

[btownoriole]

For me Miller was a no-brainer.  One of the all-time greats who established himself with the Orioles.

I struggled a bit with Thorne but voted yes.  He and Palmer were so good together and a lot of great memories of a fun era were narrated by him.  I think I struggled with him because he’s probably known more nationally for hockey (he was GREAT) but that shouldn’t overshadow his great work for the Orioles.

[RZNJ]

 The difference between Miller and guys like Thorne and Brown.   When Thorne and Brown ask the analyst (Palmer or whoever) most of the times they don’t know the correct answer.   Miller knew the answer but asked anyway.  Then once given the answer he might question the answer, gently implying another option.   Second to none.

[Too Tall]

Both

[interloper]

I don't see why both wouldn't be great to add. It's not like the Orioles HoF is some hallowed institution. Let em all in, it's fun, who cares.

[MDtransplant757]

Yes to both. Jon's voice is just smooth and wonderful to listen to, and Gary narrated my teenage years. 

[Frobby]

2 hours ago, dystopia said:

Because he's already there.

Anyway, if Manfra is there why shouldn't these two be there?

The main argument would be tenure.  Manfra announced here almost twice as long as the other two.  Of course, by that logic Jim Hunter (1997-2020) should be in ahead of Miller or Thorne.  You’ll notice I didn’t ask about him.  

[foxfield]

Jon Miller in a perfect world would be the long time announcer of the Baltimore Orioles.

 

I am thankful that this era ended with the Great Rebuild. And I voted both. Thorne’s “Don’t throw it away…don’t throw it all” call was pure magic. 

Edited Tuesday at 12:35 by foxfield
Typed Manfra instead of Thorne😂