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

[SteveA]

Anyone remember Ken Levine?   He was Kevin Brown before Kevin Brown was born, with the pop culture references and that type of sense of humor.

He was a longtime TV writer who had written episodes of M*A*S*H among other things but he dreamed of being a MLB radio PBP guy, and the Orioles gave him that chance for a year or so... maybe around 1990????    I don't recall him being a bad announcer, but nothing is really memorable about him after all this time except for him always trying to be funny.

[eddie83]

3 minutes ago, SteveA said:

Anyone remember Ken Levine?   He was Kevin Brown before Kevin Brown was born, with the pop culture references and that type of sense of humor.

He was a longtime TV writer who had written episodes of M*A*S*H among other things but he dreamed of being a MLB radio PBP guy, and the Orioles gave him that chance for a year or so... maybe around 1990????    I don't recall him being a bad announcer, but nothing is really memorable about him after all this time except for him always trying to be funny.

1991. I always got the impression Miller wasn’t happy he was hired. 

[eddie83]

Miller is a definite. No doubter. He knew when to be funny on a west coast blowout game and when to let the game speak for itself. Described the action well and was humorous.  
 

I would vote yes for Thorne. Entertainment value. 

[eddie83]

I wonder if Rubenstein had taken over last year if Miller would have been invited back with the 83 team? 
 

Garceau did a little bit of announcing for Channel 2 back then. The only full time broadcaster still alive is Miller.  

[drjohnnyfever1]

Both.

I would love to hear the combination of Gary Thorne and Ben McDonald.  Would be Radio Gold.

[DrungoHazewood]

15 hours ago, Frobby said:

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?
 

 

I'm okay with both. Miller is an absolute no-brainer, a constant voice of my youth, and I don't have a problem with Thorne.

Plus, it's the O's Hall of Fame. Where on the right day the minimum criteria is whether or not you were a cool guy associated with the team for a while.

[DrungoHazewood]

6 hours ago, Frobby said:

Not as short as I thought.  According to this chart, he was here from 1984-1996.  I definitely didn’t realize he was here that long.   Funny, I barely remember what he was like.  I mainly remember him being a good foil for John Lowenstein.  

Wasn't really that long because I didn't get cable until '89, so whatever happened on HTS before that doesn't really count.

But I'd definitely put Lowenstein and Proctor in. Yes, I know Brother Low is already in as a player. I'd put him in twice.

[Malike]

I'd be fine with both. I could never watch the O's living in NY but I could get the games on my Dad's AM radio and Miller was the best.