Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch yesterday said that a "desire for 'even more knowledge' and 'more Tigers guys' prompted Tuesday's announcement" that former MLBers Kirk Gibson and Jack Morris "would join" team telecasts on FS Detroit in '15, according to a front-page piece by Lynn Henning of the DETROIT NEWS. Tigers games on FS Detroit have seen a "dramatic ratings increase in recent years," and were the "most heavily watched, prime-time TV programming" the Detroit market in '14 with an 8.59 local rating. Ilitch yesterday "emphasized ... there was no disaffection" with Rod Allen, who has been a Tigers analyst the past 13 years and who in '15 will "share time on a rotating basis with Gibson and Morris." The Tigers yesterday also announced that Allen will also be appearing on pre- and post-game shows "when he is not taking his turn" as partner to play-by-play announcer Mario Impemba. Ilitch is "banking" that Gibson and Morris, along with FS Detroit, will "add more dimension and luster to Tigers telecasts." Morris in his post-pitching career "has been a radio/TV analyst for the Blue Jays and Twins and will unconventionally work on Twins as well as Tigers broadcasts" in '15 (DETROIT NEWS, 2/12).
JACK OF ALL TRADES: Henning noted Morris had a "six-game cameo as a Tigers analyst, alongside Impemba and Allen," late in '14 as FS Detroit "began considering the idea of adding an analyst or two" for '15. Although there "could be occasions when the Tigers will consider a three-man booth -- Gibson mentioned Opening Day as a possibility that had been discussed -- the Tigers intend to opt for more of a shared-time rotation." Gibson is "expected to work in the vicinity of 60 games, with Allen and Morris dividing the remainder" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/11).
IF IT AIN'T BROKE...: In Detroit, Jamie Samuelsen writes "viewing this as anything other than a demotion for Allen is stretching it." Allen has been paired with Impemba since Gibson "left the booth to become a bench coach" for the Tigers in '03. The two have "proven to be a durable, popular duo." Impemba and Allen also have both "gotten chances to broadcast national games for Fox." Samuelsen: "In other words, if it ain't broke -- why fix it? And if it ain't broke -- why fix it this way?" But Samuelsen writes he is "thrilled that Gibson is back." Perhaps FS Detroit "went hard after Gibson and he'd only commit to 60 games given the fact that he's just gotten his summers back after working for the Tigers." If that was the case, this move "makes more sense." But it will "still be odd to see what pairings turn up for what games -- and what kind of chemistry develops between the commentators" (DETROIT FREE PRESS.com, 2/12).
