Career highlights
1939: At 18, Thompson breaks into broadcasting by calling games of Albright College for WRAW in Reading, Pa.
1946: Calls first major league baseball game in Philadelphia.
1948: Hired in Baltimore to do play-by-play for International League Orioles and All-America Football Conference Colts.
1955: Becomes announcer for major league Orioles.
1957: Because of dispute between National Brewing and Gunther Brewing (he worked for the latter), shifts to play-by-play for Washington Senators.
1962: Returns as Orioles announcer.
1987: After season, retires as Orioles voice.
1991: Returns to Orioles broadcasts on part-time basis.
1993: Receives National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award.
2000: Problems with his eyesight end play-by-play career.
Signature phrases
In his autobiography, Ain't the Beer Cold!, Chuck Thompson explained how he came to use (and stop) his two signature phrases:
Ain't the beer cold!: "I got that phrase from Bob Robertson, a spotter who worked with me on Baltimore Colts football games [that were sponsored by the makers of National Beer]. ... Eventually I received lots of mail from people ... [who] felt they shouldn't have to put up with my ad libs about beer with all the beer advertisements they were already exposed to, and I thought they had a legitimate beef. So, I stopped using the line sometime in the 1970s."
Go to war, Miss Agnes!: "That was something I picked up from Bob Sharman, a golfing friend and neighbor. When his putting didn't improve after he read a book on the subject, Bob would grumble, "Go to war, Miss Agnes," after missing a putt. I phased that expression out of my play-by-play lexicon as the Vietnam War dragged on."
Signature phrases
In his autobiography, Ain't the Beer Cold!, Chuck Thompson explained how he came to use (and stop) his two signature phrases:
Chuck Thompson and Bill O'donnell can never be replaced. That was when the game was genuine and great!!
california j @ 8:30 AM EDT, May 30, 2006
Chuck's voice always resonated in New York City,where I enjoyed listening to him describe O's games since I was a youngster in the 1960s.He will be missed by all fans of radio broadcasts.
Mark Miller @ 1:38 PM EST, Jan 16, 2006
The First Baseball Game I Ever Heard Was in 1963 On A Small F.M. Station In Galax VA. Chuck T.And Bill O.I Need To Say Nothing Else,After 1000!s of Other Games By Many Broadcasters No One Done It Like Chuck And Bill The Best That ever Was.
sonny in n.c. @ 2:58 PM EST, Dec 12, 2005
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