Matt Shepard canned

[Honeyman]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/ ... 041871007/

[MWmetalhead]

I feel kind of bad for him.

Was it necessary for the Freep to say he was fired based on "feedback from fans, executives and industry professionals" ?

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

Why fire him before you find a replacement? Makes no sense.

[Rate This]

Why fire him before you find a replacement? Makes no sense.

Happens all the time…

[moldyoldie]

I had no problem with Shep calling the games. I"ve yet to hear what these nebulously described "experts" consider to be shortcomings.

[MWmetalhead]

I agree with you.

The color commentary was much more of an issue for me. I'm sorry about Mr. Gibson's health, but he simply is unfit for his on-air role at this point. Craig Monroe is OK at times and annoys me at other times.

[Matt]

From the Detroit News:

Detroit — Mario Impemba isn't very active on social media anymore.

But he was noticeably touched Tuesday when I told him how many Tigers fans were calling for his return to the Bally Sports Detroit broadcast booth. Even notorious local masturbator Mike Valenti called for the Tigers to make him the first call.

Anyone think this has a puncher's chance of happening?

[CurlyHoward]

If they're genuinely trying to upgrade the broadcasts, bringing back Mario is the right move.

If they're just trying to be cheap (I don't know whether it's the Tigers or Bally/Sinclair who pays the broadcasters but if it's the latter this is definitely the case), though, then it's not going to happen and God knows what kind of hack they're going to bring in.

[Bull Shannon]

If they're genuinely trying to upgrade the broadcasts, bringing back Mario is the right move.

If they're just trying to be cheap (I don't know whether it's the Tigers or Bally/Sinclair who pays the broadcasters but if it's the latter this is definitely the case), though, then it's not going to happen and God knows what kind of hack they're going to bring in.

I'd be willing to bet it's a cost-cutting move by BSD.

I'm with MW - I had no issues with Shep, but Gibby is godawful to listen to.

[MWmetalhead]

Judging from the Freep comments page, most people cannot stand Craig Monroe.

I suspect one of the Ilitch family's pals will get the job if it doesn't go to Dickerson (read: a former Tigers player).

This may be like the mid 90s all over again when Larry Oosterman got fucked over so Jim Price could call play-by-play on PASS.

[MichMash]

The Tigers have hired former White Sox play-by-play man Jason Benetti as their new TV play-by-play voice on Bally Sports.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/ ... 515604007/

Benetti, 40, comes here after eight years with the Sox. Holder of degrees from Syracuse and the Wake Forest School of Law, Benetti signed a multi-year deal with the Tigers. He was hired by the Tigers directly, not by Bally Sports.

[MWmetalhead]

Very impressive and surprising hire.

I think media and White Sox fans in Chicago are in disbelief.

It wouldn't surprise me to hear him work some Red Wings broadcasts as well.

[MichMash]

It wouldn't surprise me to hear him work some Red Wings broadcasts as well.

I can see the possibility, but I wonder how that would work. Considering he's a Tigers hire and not a Bally hire, he's essentially an Ilitch employee. Could Ilitch just plug him into a Wings game whenever Ken Daniels isn't available? And does Bally have any say in that?

[Realist]

I’m really thinking that him being hired as a Tigers employee and not a BSN employee, the Tigers are fore-seeing that BSN may not be around much longer. I’m reading MLB is starting to grow impatient with the continual delays of the Sinclair/Diamond Sports bankruptcy

[Matt]

I’m really thinking that him being hired as a Tigers employee and not a BSN employee, the Tigers are fore-seeing that BSN may not be around much longer. I’m reading MLB is starting to grow impatient with the continual delays of the Sinclair/Diamond Sports bankruptcy

Hopefully, it's not around by the end of the calendar year. On top of it not being readily available, it is trash that it has a casino name attached.