Ain't the Beer Cold!

The words of the title comprised the trademark, tagline and rallying cry of radio and TV broadcaster Thompson until some Bible Belters complained and he dropped it. But annoyances like that are minor to a man inducted into the Broadcasters Wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993 and who has been on the air since 1939. Thompson started his career in Pennsylvania covering the A's and Phillies, then the Senators in Washington. He joined the Orioles in Baltimore in 1953 and, except for a brief hiatus, has been with them ever since; he also broadcast Colts' football games for some 30 years. Writing with freelancer Beard, Thompson offers dozens of anecdotes, some serious, most not, and his sense of humor relies heavily on practical jokes and booze-generated exploits. This is a typical sportscaster's autobiography, but it should sell like crabcakes in Maryland. Photos not seen by PW. (Oct.)