For most Major League Baseball teams, this is usually the time of year where fans are talking about which free agents should be signed and which young players have a chance of making the team out of Spring Training.
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Though that is partially the case for Detroit Tigers‘ fans, there is also something else they have been discussing. That topic is, who will replace Mario Impemba and Rod Allen as the Tigers’ television voices on Fox Sports Detroit?
According to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, Matt Shepard seems to be the favorite to land the job at the Tigers’ play-by-play man, while he expects former Tigers’ greats Kirk Gibson and Jack Morris to be considered to replace Allen as the team’s color commentator. In fact, Fenech notes that Gibson and Morris could end up splitting the duty.
From Detroit Free Press:
At this point, the leader in the clubhouse seems to be Matt Shepard and a rotating cast of color commentators.
Fox Sports Detroit has received over 100 applications for the positions, and though they aren’t incredibly close to a decision — expect something in January — it’s certainly one of the questions of the offseason.
For now, it appears to be Shepard’s job to lose. He did a solid job under difficult circumstances in September and carries a lengthy track record of success in the market. It is unclear which direction FSD is leaning in the hiring.
As far as color commentators go, I’d expect Kirk Gibson and Jack Morris to remain in the fold, perhaps splitting duties.
Because of that, Shepard’s versatility is a benefit: He is seen as someone who can seamlessly transition between personalities.
Nation, what are your thoughts on this? Who would you like to see replace Mario Impemba as the Detroit Tigers play-by-play man? Who would you like to see replace Rod Allen in the Tigers booth?
