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Gary Thorne

From Alfawiki
Gary Thorne
Born (1948-06-09) June 9, 1948 (age 78)
Old Town, Maine, U.S.
OccupationSports broadcaster
Years active1977–present
Known forPlay-by-play announcer for Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, NHL; narrator for WrestleMania Rewind

Gary Francis Thorne (born June 9, 1948) is a prominent American sports broadcaster. From 2007 through 2020, he was the primary play-by-play voice for Baltimore Orioles contests on MASN. Thorne's career also includes assignments with ESPN and ABC, where he covered events such as the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, college football, and the Frozen Four. Furthermore, he lent his voice as the narrator for the WrestleMania Rewind series available on the WWE Network streaming platform.

Early life

Raised in Old Town, Maine, Thorne completed his high school education at Old Town High School in 1966. He holds degrees from the University of Maine (1970), the University of Maine School of Law (1973), and Georgetown Law School (1976). Throughout his academic pursuits, he supported himself by working as a sportscaster and disc jockey. Following graduation, he served as an assistant district attorney in Penobscot County, Maine and gained admission to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Baseball

Thorne's baseball broadcasting journey began in 1985 when he took on a four-year role as a radio announcer for the New York Mets. Notably, he called the sixth game of the 1986 World Series at Shea Stadium alongside Bob Murphy.

Between 2007 and 2019, Thorne was recognized as the television play-by-play announcer for the Baltimore Orioles on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. His broadcasts were distinguished by memorable phrases such as "Goodbye! Home run!" and by concluding each game with either "Adieu" or "Adieu-Adieu," depending on how the Orioles fared.

During the shortened 2020 season, scheduling adjustments related to COVID-19 led to Thorne's removal from Orioles broadcasts amid contract disagreements. MASN officially released him in January 2021.

Thorne briefly returned to Mets coverage as a substitute for Gary Cohen on SNY in July 2021 and again appeared on WCBS radio broadcasts in September 2022.

National broadcasting career

In 1989, Thorne took on the role of backup play-by-play announcer for ABC's Thursday Night Baseball broadcasts, partnering with Joe Morgan and succeeding Gary Bender. During the same year, he worked as a field reporter for the 1989 World Series and was on site when the Loma Prieta earthquake occurred.

Thorne provided commentary for games in the 1995 American League Division Series on NBC/The Baseball Network alongside Tommy Hutton. Between 1996 and 2003, he served as the play-by-play voice for the World Series produced by MLB International, delivering global broadcasts with analyst Ken Singleton. Among his notable calls was Robin Ventura's iconic "Grand Slam Single" during the 1999 NLCS.

In 2008, Thorne assumed the lead play-by-play announcer position for ESPN Radio's Sunday Night Baseball, collaborating with Dave Campbell. That year, he also covered postseason Division Series matchups and provided commentary for the 2008 All-Star Game aimed at international viewers.

From 2010 through 2014, Thorne succeeded Dave O'Brien as the primary play-by-play announcer for MLB International’s coverage of the All-Star Game, ALCS (even-numbered years), NLCS (odd-numbered years), and World Series, working alongside Rick Sutcliffe. Their tenure concluded in 2015 when Fox's broadcast team featuring Matt Vasgersian and John Smoltz took over.

Each June, Thorne calls games during the College World Series, and in August, he is the play-by-play voice for ESPN’s coverage of the Little League World Series. Additionally, he has lent his voice to several Major League Baseball video game editions, including titles from MLB 2K9 through MLB 2K13.

Thorne has also fulfilled duties as master of ceremonies at induction events for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Hockey

Thorne began his hockey broadcasting career in 1977, calling games for radio and television stations in Augusta, Maine. He gained recognition through his play-by-play coverage of the University of Maine's hockey team on Bangor's WABI radio.

He maintained his role as the voice of Maine hockey until 1987, concurrently handling Mets baseball broadcasts starting in 1985. Between 1987 and 1993, Thorne served as the play-by-play announcer for the NHL's New Jersey Devils on SportsChannel New York before Mike Emrick succeeded him. His involvement with the Devils’ playoff games in 1988 resulted in missing several Mets contests, which led to Gary Cohen stepping in as his replacement. Following this period, Thorne spent a season announcing for the Chicago White Sox.

In March 2014, Thorne demonstrated his passion for youth hockey by calling high school matches during the Minnesota State High School League boys hockey tournament for KSTC-TV, emphasizing the event’s impressive talent level.

During the 2016–17 NHL season, Thorne temporarily substituted for Bob Miller by providing play-by-play commentary for eight road games of the Los Angeles Kings while Miller was sidelined due to health-related travel limitations.

National work

From 1992 through 2004, Thorne held the position of lead play-by-play announcer for NHL broadcasts on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, frequently partnering with color analyst Bill Clement. Together, they called numerous playoff matchups and Stanley Cup Finals telecasts, with the exception of 1995. The duo also lent their voices to EA Sports' NHL video game franchise from NHL 07 through NHL 14 and ESPN NHL 2K5. For significant games, including Stanley Cup Finals victories in 2003 and 2004, John Davidson joined them as a third commentator. Additionally, Thorne provided commentary alongside Davidson for NBC’s coverage of the hockey tournament at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

After ESPN ceased NHL coverage in 2005, Thorne shifted focus to play-by-play roles for Major League Baseball and college football on ESPN. He also became the primary announcer for the Frozen Four NCAA men's ice hockey championship, working again with Clement and Darren Pang. Among his notable calls were those marking the end of lengthy Stanley Cup droughts for the New York Rangers in 1994 and the Detroit Red Wings in 1997.

Thorne was originally slated to call Team USA’s games at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships on NHL Network but was replaced prior to the event due to personal reasons. He returned to cover Team USA’s matches at the tournament in 2011.

With ESPN/ABC regaining NHL broadcasting rights for the 2021–22 season, there was significant fan support advocating for Thorne and Clement’s return. Thorne expressed enthusiasm about potentially rejoining ESPN, stating he would "love to talk to them about it." Nevertheless, when ESPN revealed its NHL broadcast team lineup, neither commentator was included, much to fans’ disappointment.

Football

Thorne served as the lead announcer for ABC’s coverage of the Capital One Bowl in both 2004 and 2005. In 2011, he joined CBS Sports Network as a play-by-play commentator for college football broadcasts, frequently working alongside analyst Randy Cross.

PBA Bowling

During the 2011–12 Professional Bowlers Association Tour season, ESPN replaced Rob Stone with Thorne as play-by-play announcer for remaining events. This included calling Pete Weber’s historic fifth U.S. Open title victory.

WWE

Beginning February 25, 2014, Thorne took on narration duties for WWE Network’s WrestleMania Rewind starting with episode #2, following Pat Summerall’s passing.

Bobby Valentine

In September 2002, Thorne reportedly brought attention to internal conflicts within the Mets clubhouse involving manager Bobby Valentine and several players, highlighting player dissatisfaction and a perception that Valentine was shielded from criticism. Following the conclusion of the 2002 season, Valentine and the Mets ended their professional relationship.

Curt Schilling

During a Red Sox–Orioles broadcast in April 2007, Thorne implied that Doug Mirabelli had confessed the famous 2004 playoff "bloody sock" incident was fabricated. He subsequently clarified that Mirabelli’s remark was made in jest and had been misunderstood amid informal team discussions. Mirabelli affirmed his belief that the sock did contain genuine blood and expressed regret over any confusion caused.

Career timeline

At ESPN/ABC

External links

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