By Dave Hughes, DCRTV.com

Do you want in-depth talk about the Orioles? Then tune to Fox 1370 Sports weekdays from 1-3 p.m. for "Bird Talk."

Hosted by local baseball veteran Adam Gladstone and former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles, the two radio novices started their show in April. Gladstone, the former director of minor league operations for Ripken Baseball and ex-director of baseball operations for the York Revolution, joins Hoiles, who spent his 10-year major league career as a catcher with Baltimore. They discuss the Orioles, more Orioles and, yes, some other baseball news.

"Bird Talk's" Chris Hoiles Adam Gladstone (Fox 1370)

The show features interviews with baseball executives, listener call-ins, live remote broadcasts and behind-the-scenes looks at Orioles baseball. They cover everything Orioles, including spring training and the minor league affiliates.

"We had zero radio experience," said Baltimore native Gladstone about the start of the show. "We had careers in baseball. We actually lived the game."

After graduating from Boys' Latin, Gladstone went to Jacksonville University in Florida. From there, he went to umpire school. He then spent four years umpiring games in the Frontier, Shenandoah Valley, Texas/Louisiana and Atlantic leagues.

"We're not here to blast the Orioles," Gladstone said. "We want to take people inside the game."

Originally, the show was to air for one hour at 12 p.m. But before it launched, it was decided the show would become a two-hour daily, filling the slot previously occupied by the syndicated (and low-rated) Jim Rome.

Fox 1370 wanted to do all-local programming in the 12-3 p.m. chunk, so it also brought PressBox publisher Stan "The Fan" Charles onboard for the 12-1 p.m. slot.

"We want to take listeners inside the game a bit more," said Gladstone. "We want them to find out what it's like for 160-plus games. Actually, it's a grind. … It's about real life experiences."

In addition to Gladstone's umpire history, he has worked in the front office for the Aberdeen Arsenal, Ripken Baseball, as well as multiple franchises in the Atlantic League, most recently with the York Revolution team in Pennsylvania until 2009.

"We are thrilled with the prospect of having (Orioles) Hall of Famer Chris Hoiles as part of the Fox 1370 lineup," said Bob Pettit, the station's general manager.

Inducted into the Orioles' Hall of Fame in August 2006, Hoiles' greatest season came in 1993, when he had a .310 batting average and 29 home runs, earning team MVP honors. After the Orioles, Hoiles became an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University and at his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University. He later became manager of the York Revolution.

While both were at York in 2007, Gladstone and Hoiles expanded their friendship and began to discuss business prospects. Fast-forward to August 2009 when Hoiles and Gladstone ended their affiliation with the Revolution -- Hoiles resigned and days later the ownership group, Opening Day Partners, fired Gladstone.

By September of last year, they had decided to form a sporting events management company, the Hoiles-Gladstone Group, that would follow one of Hoiles' life-long loves -- hunting. Their new company hosts hunting trips featuring sports celebrities.

The excursions take place on 7,000 acres of privately-owned land in northeast Pennsylvania, centering on a lodge owned by Kip Fulks, the senior vice president at Baltimore-based Under Armour.

In February of this year, talks spurred by John Aull, a top ad sales manager at 1370, started regarding a radio show. Aull said he knew Gladstone would be good on the radio, despite being a novice.

Execs at Baltimore's Fox 1370, sister to talker WCBM, wanted a daily afternoon show about the Orioles during baseball season. Gladstone and Hoiles seemed perfect for the gig, even with their lack of broadcasting experience.

While original plans were for "Bird Talk" to be an Orioles-only show to be replaced after the baseball season ends, Aull confirmed the show will continue into football season and cover the Ravens with Gladstone serving as primary host.

Gladstone said it has been a blast so far. He and Hoiles get along well, listeners seem to like the show, ditto with the advertisers, and everyone's having a lot of fun.

"We're getting a lot of listeners and consistent callers," said Gladstone. "They like our real-life experiences."

Issue 150: June 2010