Chuck Thompson CD is music to the ears

I'm making the nearly three-hour drive home from Ocean Pines on Sunday morning, which gives me a second chance to listen to a CD that Cubs radio play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes mailed to me last week. Hughes has created "Baseball Voices, Hall of Fame Series," which pays tribute to some of the greatest announcers in history, including Red Barber, Harry Caray, Mel Allen, Harry Kalas, Jack Buck, Bob Prince and our own Chuck Thompson. I thoroughly enjoyed "Chuck Thompson, Voice of the Orioles," an 18-track CD that lasts 57 minutes, 40 seconds and includes highlights from the 1966 and 1970 World Series, Jim Palmer's no-hitter in 1969, the final game at Memorial Stadium and so much more. Listen to Mike Flanagan's strikeout in that final game at the old ballpark and count the goosebumps. It's worth the $14.95 just to hear Thompson describe Brooks Robinson's defensive heroics in the '70 Series. Snippets of Thompson's broadcasts of non-Orioles baseball games also are included, and it's fascinating to hear him commit two errors on Bill Mazeroski's famous walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series - misidentifying the pitcher who surrendered it and giving the wrong final score. It's like Picasso dripping paint on the carpet. Hughes shares interviews with Thompson and presents his life story. There's a lot going on with this CD. You also can enjoy Thompson's work on Baltimore Colts games. I grew up listening to him with Vince Bagli, my family gathered around the living room stereo on Sunday afternoons. Dave McNally's grand slam in Game 3 of the 1970 World Series is referenced, but there's no call from Thompson. My only complaint, and it's a minor one. You can order the CD here. It would make a great stocking stuffer if you're searching for ideas and would prefer to avoid the malls.