The Next Big: Voice Of the O's

New Orioles play-by-play man Gary Thorne could hardly contain his enthusiasm during a ninth inning, tie ballgame between the O's and the Toronto Blue Jays. "You gotta love this if you enjoy the game," Thorne declared in his unmistakable, authoritative voice. A native of Maine, Thorne earned a J.D. from Georgetown University and practiced law for nearly a decade—but announcing games always has been his passion. In the mid-80's, legendary baseball writer Peter Gammons recommended him to the New York Mets. Since then, he's gone on to call 13 Stanley Cup finals and seven World Series (and, recently, make one regrettable comment about a bloody sock). He came to Baltimore when the O's offered him a chance to join old pals Jim Palmer and Buck Martinez. "At this point in my career, the people I work with is what matters most," he says. "Every game I do I try to take a moment to say [to myself], 'There are 8 billion people who probably wish they were doing what you're doing. Don't forget how fortunate you are.'"