Former FS Detroit Red Wings broadcaster Larry Murphy said of his firing by the RSN last week, "I guess I didn't see it coming -- I had no clue. I just got the call and was told, 'We are not going to use you.' I thought I was doing my job and doing it well." In Detroit, Mike Brudenell noted Murphy "began working" for the net in '03. He said that he was "informed of the decision by" FS Detroit Senior VP & GM Greg Hammaren. Murphy said that he was "told by Hammaren that he was let go because of ratings." Murphy: "That's the reason I was given. He said he wanted to make changes. I was shocked, and all I could say was, 'Yes ... yes.' I just didn't know what to think." FS Detroit over the weekend issued a statement that read in part, "We wanted our primary team of Mickey Redmond and Ken Daniels to call the remaining games as the Red Wings make a push for the playoffs. We thought it was only fair to let Larry know as soon as possible that he would not be scheduled for any more assignments." However, Murphy said that he had "not heard directly from anyone at the Red Wings about his firing" (FREEP.com, 3/25). Murphy said that he was "let go on March 12, the day before he was scheduled to work as a studio analyst." He added that he also was "scheduled to work in the broadcast booth for this current four-game West Coast trip, which he usually does in place of Mickey Redmond, whose travel has been limited for years" (MLIVE.com, 3/24).
