WTSBASEBALL: Broadcast Edition
What up, y’all? Are you ready for another exciting installment of WTSBaseball? No? Well, THAT’S TOO DAMN BAD. I am way too hype right now. My blessed, much improved Tigers are only a few short days from playing games. Yes, it’s spring training. Yes, it’s meaningless. But it gives me meaning ok? Back off.
The Tigers take on the Yankees this coming Saturday, February 24th at 1:05pm. Now, those of you familiar with how this goes will understand that the starters will mainly play only about 3 innings or so and then be taken out. This is when we get to see the young guys fight for a spot. I actually prefer watching the prospects early on so I can get a feel for what level they can play at. And in years past, the Tigers prospects have been doodoo. Well, not anymore! Top 5 farm system in 2024, baby. Shout out Justice Bigbie.
Anyways. The important part of this is that the game this Saturday is real, live baseball. And while it won’t be televised, I thought this would be a great time to introduce you to the Tigers brand new broadcast team. Let’s begin.
Ahem
MATT SHEPARD IS GONE!!! RIP BOZO, YOU WON’T BE MISSED. YOU WOULDN’T KNOW A FLY BALL FROM A HOMERUN IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT. CAN’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AKIL BADDOO AND ROBBIE GROSSMAN (yes, this actually happened) CAN’T EVEN TALK IN COMPLETE SENTENCES. YOUR BEST ANALYTICAL QUESTION WAS “DO YOU THINK PLAYERS LIKE WINNING?” GIVE HIM THE CHAIR AND KNOCK HIS CROWN OFF. WHY DON’T YOU GO MAKE SOME MORE PROBLEMATIC COMMENTS ABOUT WOMEN AND BREAST CANCER WHILE CALLING HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE YOU ABSOLUTE FUCKING MORON. WE ARE FREE. FREE AT LAST.
OK, anyways. I’m good now. Here is your 2024 Tigers’ Broadcast Team for TV and Radio.
****
Television
Jason Benetti (Play-by-Play)
Arguably the best signing of the offseason was hiring Jason Benetti. I am not kidding. We are literally going from rags to riches in this department. An iconic name in baseball these days. Jason has been broadcasting since 2011 when he joined ESPN and he quickly established himself as an elite PxP announcer and storyteller. He is on the national circuit not only for the MLB but also for NCAA Basketball and the NFL. He will call 127 games for the Tigers this year, and while he is gone Dan Dickerson will be his replacement. However, the best part about all of this is that we stole him from the White Sox. Get fucked, losers. Side note, if you haven't watched his interview with MLB network, I highly recommend it. It is awesome.
Craig Monroe (Lead Analyst)
Anyone growing up watching the Tigers in the early 2000s remembers CMO. He and Marcus Thames are forever burned into my brain from the 2006 season. He was known for having the clutch gene and boy did he show it in 2006. Especially this baby right here. Craig returns for his second full season as an analyst, and I am looking forward to seeing him grow as a broadcaster. He is expected to be in the booth for about 80 games. Craig is also expected to join Dan Dickerson in the radio booth for a few games.
Carlos Peña (Analyst)
Introducing Mr. Pena. Carlos Peña played for the Tigers for four seasons. From 2002-2005. However, it seems that the entire 2003 season has been stricken from all record books and data journals. Huh. Guess it didn’t count! I am sure we did great though. Pena will join the Tigers in the booth for about 30 games and will also do Pre-game and Post-game work as well. I was a big fan of his as a young baseball fan and you should watch this absolute crush-job.
Kirk Gibson
I think we are all aware of what Gibby means to the Tigers and what he has brought to the broadcast booth. He will be back again this year and be in the booth for around 40 games or so this season. Gibby continues to battle ALS and is a true hero in our community.
Dan Petry and Todd Jones
I am going to lump these two legends together because they will both have a minimal roll with the team this year. Both Dan and Todd will work about 10 games between them and do post-game and pregame work. Dan is easily my favorite dude to listen to about pitching. He makes it accessible and is incredibly knowledgeable. Love that he is back. Todd Jones, or as I used to call him, The Rollercoaster is the all time saves leader (235!) for the Detroit Tigers and an excellent man to boot. He was the last person to throw a pitch at Tigers Stadium and he struck out Rookie Carlos Beltran. Legend.
Radio
Dan Dickerson (Play-by-Play)
I don't need to say anything about this absolute GOAT of radio broadcasters. He is a first ballot hall-of-fame broadcaster when he retires. He’s back for his 25th (!!) season and he isn't going anywhere. As I mentioned previously, he will also call about 35 games on Television when Benetti is away on national broadcasts. Anyways, here are a few of his greatest calls:
Bobby Scales (Lead analyst)
Bobby Scales comes to us from the Michigan Wolverines (Go Blue) and will serve as the primary analyst for about half of the Radio games with Dan. Bobby Scales only played about 60 games at the MLB level but brings a lot of charisma and insight to the broadcasts with Dan. Scales called a few games last year after Jim Price passed away. I enjoyed listening to his witty banter with Dan and his actual baseball analysis while I had Matt Shepard on mute.
Andy Dirks
Former Tigers legend, Andy Dirks, will be joining the radio broadcasts as well this year in a more fixed role. He also joined Bobby Scales in splitting games with Dan last year. Andy brings a younger view on the game and also is a straight shooter in the booth. I gained so much admiration for him last year when he tore Laz Diaz a new one on a live broadcast. Get ‘em Andy. Also here is this cool highlight that allowed us to come back against the white sox and win the game after being down 6-0. Oh and this one, cuz I thought it was cool.
Greg Gania (fill-in PxP)
Greg Gania is currently the play-by-play broadcaster for the Erie Seawolves (tigers AA affiliate) and, oddly enough, their assistant GM. He has a long history of broadcasting, and oddly enough, was on the call via radio for the Tigers’ combined no hitter last year against the Blue Jays, He will fill in on radio duties when Dan is doing the televised games.
IN MEMORIAM
Jimmie William Price (October 13, 1941 – August 7, 2023), the man, the legend, passed away last year and I am still sad about it. Back in the day, when not every game was televised, I would listen to Dan and Jim on the radio. These are core memories for me as I sat in my bedroom with my headphones plugged into my clock radio listening to the game. In particular, I remember listening to a TIgers v. A’s game in the middle of the night as I had school the next day and wasn’t allowed to watch TV anymore. Pudge hit a homer and I had to stifle my excitement so as to not wake the sleeping commissioner. He will be sorely missed and I will never forget how he made the game of baseball come alive for me. Here are a few of the phrases that we lived for and the ones that Dan Dickerson said will never be uttered on a Tigers’ radio broadcast again.
The Art of Pitching
Yellowhammer
Big-Time Buggy Whip
The Keyhole
Rest in Peace, Jimmy. We love you.
There you have it folks. The 2024 Tigers Broadcast Crew. We are so back.