OT: Detroit Tigers announce Jason Benetti new play by play
https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2023/11/09/tigers-announce-new-play-by-play-announcer/
With time built into his schedule to satisfy national broadcast obligations, Benetti will call a minimum of 127 Tigers games each season. When those scheduling conflicts occur, the Tigers will move long-time radio play-by-play voice Dan Dickerson over to television. Dickerson, who has filled in on television in the past, agreed to do this to ensure fans have the best broadcast experience possible throughout the season.
It’s currently unclear who else will join Benetti in the booth for the upcoming season on Bally Sports.
“Jason is a world-class talent and today is another tremendous step forward for the Tigers as we continue to build a championship-level organization and experience for our fans,” said Ryan Gustafson, EVP/COO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “Beyond his talent, Jason’s story is inspirational and our shared commitment to excellence and innovation was apparent throughout our discussions. We are thrilled to welcome Jason to our family, joining an incredible group of broadcasters at the Tigers and Red Wings that create the on-air experience our fans deserve.”
November 9th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
This is so great. Finally a professional back in the booth. Love the hire.
Please Michigan hire him for play by play.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:37 AM ^
I hope he brings Bill Walton along for a couple games
/s
November 9th, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^
Emphasis on "/s"
November 9th, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
As a White Sox fan, I am devastated. He is so good at his job. A true professional. It was a matter of time with how inept the White Sox are, but crushing nonetheless.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
The Tigers must have paid him handsomely because they've certainly been as inept as the White Sox in recent years.
November 9th, 2023 at 1:44 PM ^
My thoughts exactly! I only watch the Sox because of Benetti, even bought a Jason Benetti Fan Club t-shirt a few years ago. Super jealous of my Detroit family now...
November 9th, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^
Another L for the White Sox. Him and Stone together were the only good part of last season outside of Luis Robert. Tigers get a great one!
November 9th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
As a Cubs fan, I've ways thought Steve Stone is the best analyst around. Jason is the most promising PBP guy I've seen in a long time. And his accomplishments were achieved without the benefit of nepotism!
November 9th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^
Is this the "he gone" guy?
November 9th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
No, thank God.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
Hawk Harrelson. Banetti was essentially so good when he was filling in for Harrelson that they slowly weeded him out.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
with Detroit's own "Wimpy", Tom Paciorek!!
November 9th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
That is the one and only Hawk Harrelson.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^
Holy cow that is a major coup for the Tigers. Benetti is one of the best in biz. And when he is on national game duty we get Dickerson in the tv booth. Matt Shepherd was great doing Michigan hoops on the radio but baseball did not suit him.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:22 AM ^
I personally think Dickerson is the best play by play guy that I've heard. His knowledge of data is tremendous
November 9th, 2023 at 10:41 AM ^
Very happy to have a change. The guys in there last year seemed like nice enough people, but they were so boring to listen to
November 9th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
I was just about to post a forum topic, but you beat me to it!
Benetti also currently pairs with Brock Huard to form the #2 FOX broadcasting team for college football behind Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt. That's one of the reasons he's only doing ~130 Tigers games per year.
This is a huge get for the Tigers - probably their best acquisition in years. He's considered one of the best young announcers in the business.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
We're also hoping Fox reunites him with Robbie Hummel who were GREAT together for college hoops games.
November 9th, 2023 at 12:07 PM ^
Excellent point. Doesn't look like they've announced the teams yet, but Benetti and Hummel are both listed in their 2023-2024 announcer lineup
November 9th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
We just got the best tv announcer in the sport.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
Ahem, Gary Cohen is hands down the best, but Benetti is easily top-5.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
Relieved they aren’t recycling Mario.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
Still hope for Rod part deux!
November 9th, 2023 at 11:26 AM ^
Captain Rodvious is the worst.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
Wow, this is an incredible pull for the Tigers. Benetti is one of the best in the business, if not the best.
For the first time in years I may actually enjoy tuning in to a Tigers broadcast.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
I've never heard him broadcast baseball but he is definitely a talent and a great hire.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:06 AM ^
He's good at all sports he calls (he is always unbelievably prepared) but he's particularly excellent compared to others as a team's PBP guy, because in a long season you need a guy who can not just call the action on the field but banter with the analyst day after day and not lose your interest and man is he great at it.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:48 AM ^
Jason Benetti is awesome. Glad to see Chris open the checkbook here. He's a pro's pro. Here's a goofy non baseball skit but gives you a good idea of his personality and voice
November 9th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
Perfect voice to call Javy swing and misses.
I randomly saw a @hotelputingrad on twitter last night bitching about the pistons in the replies to a slappy beat writer with the same profile picture.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
Yeah that was me. Cade's turnovers down the stretch annoy the hell out of me.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:06 AM ^
I really don't like the way Cade is playing. He's getting his points but is obviously making the rest of the team worse and constantly turns it over. Sasser looks great. I want to see him running the offense when everyone is healthy.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
Sasser and Thompson have been dynamite, as have Stew and Duren.
But the rest of the roster....yeesh.
November 9th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
He's good for sure.
My only concern is that he eventually becomes a number 1 college football play-by-play guy (or a mid-tier NFL play-by-play guy, although FOX seems set for years to come on that front with Buckhardt, Davis, Amin and Kugler as their top 4).
Then the Tigers gig essentially becomes his side gig. The thing he is less passionate about. I personally prefer my baseball announcer be there for all 162 games --- not taking the weekends off for something else.
Someone else already mentioned he's the current #2 on FOX college football broadcasts. IMO, he's already 1000000000x better than Gus.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
I appreciate that Gus is a Detroit guy and obviously has a soft spot for the state of Michigan, but he is a much lesser version of his former self and it's becoming more and more apparent. Benetti would absolutely crush it with Joel Klatt the way he did with Robbie Hummel on ESPN CBB games (before Jason moved to FOX).
November 9th, 2023 at 12:12 PM ^
Johnson's voice and style give the game a big time feel when he's the announcer, but I'll agree that Benetti is FAR more prepared for a game than Gus is.
FYI, Hummel is also now with FOX. Not sure if Benetti and Hummel will be paired together though.
November 9th, 2023 at 12:32 PM ^
FYI, Hummel is also now with FOX. Not sure if Benetti and Hummel will be paired together though.
I had completely forgotten about that! My kingdom for a reunion!
November 9th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
Can someone explain the uproar/drama over the Tigers announcers? It seems everyone is up in arms over it but I am not local so I don’t follow too much.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
Well the last PBP guy was awful. And the PBP guy before that was fired for brawling with his broadcast partner.
They haven't had a decent TV booth since Kell and Kaline.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
I think it's pretty much as simple as Matt Shepard, the PBP guy since the Mario/Rod debacle, is just not good at calling baseball. There's also been a revolving door of analysts that are meh at best.
November 9th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
Completely agree with this. I actually enjoyed Shepard when he called UM hoops games, but could not stand listening to him call Tigers games. And yes, they've had some very underwhelming analysts in recent years. Thankfully that started to change last year.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
Well this is a load of crap. Those of us who prefer the sounds of a Tiger game wafting from the radio through the evening summer air now get to have who on the games where Benetti isn't available? Some 2nd string hack?
November 9th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Probably one of the radio guys from Toledo, Erie, or West Michigan will fill in.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:06 AM ^
Matt Shepard if the universe has any sense of humor.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:23 AM ^
Since you listen to the Tigers on the radio, what did you think of the color analysts last year? I know that Bobby Scales is an alum, but I couldn't quite get attached to the color guys this year.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
Andy Dirks is a natural. If he wasn't building a real estate empire, I'd hope to see him full time. He and Dan had such great chemistry.
The rest were quite mediocre.
November 9th, 2023 at 12:14 PM ^
Dan Hasty, the radio voice of the West Michigan Whitecaps has filled in previously and he's actually very good. It probably won't be long before he's snatched up by a big league team.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
Great hire by the Tigers. I do feel bad for Shep though. He was solid doing Michigan basketball. I would really like Shep to do Michigan Football on the radio. He would be a huge upgrade over Karsch.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
I could live with that but there has to be better talent. I want the guy that people are searching to hear their call after a big play. Michigan deserves that.
November 9th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
Although I am not familiar with Jason Benetti, I've been reading good-to-great things about him all morning. And to have Dan Dickerson do approximately 30-35 Tigers games on TV is an added bonus.
Looks like a definite change for the better. Best of all, he's not Shep!
November 9th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
Never hated Shep, but never thought he was much good, either. Everything I've read about Benetti makes him sound like a big upgrade.
Now let's get him a good color analyst. And maybe they should expand the job search to include people other than ex-Tigers.