Detroit Tigers fans deserve Jason Benetti as voice of team’s next competitive run

DETROIT – Detroit Tigers fans have had put up with a lot over the past decade.

When the first pitch is thrown in March, it’ll mark the 10th season since the team’s last playoff berth. Over that time period, the Tigers have a 0.429 winning percentage, which roughly translates to an average record of 69-93.

A decade of 90-loss baseball is no fun. The Tigers haven’t won 80 games since 2016, and almost every season has been over by the end of April. But there appears to finally be a light at the end of the tunnel.

I know, I know: The Tigers faked us out in 2021, when they went 68-61 after a dismal start to the season. Hopes were high for 2022, and the team wasn’t even competitive.

This feels different, though. Scott Harris has laid a foundation that’s already starting to bear fruit, from young hitters like Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Kerry Carpenter to rising prospects like Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy.

Tarik Skubal looks like a bonafide ace. The bullpen is anchored by dynamic arms in Alex Lange, Jason Foley, and Tyler Holton.

It’s far from a finished product, but it’s not nothing. The building blocks are there, and the Tigers have proven adept at identifying talent — look at how productive Michael Lorenzen and Andy Ibanez were this season.

So, hopefully, there are brighter days ahead, and fans found out Thursday that one of the best play-by-play broadcasters will be along for the ride.

The Tigers hired former White Sox announcer Jason Benetti to take over for Matt Shepard, who spent the last five seasons in the first chair for Bally Sports Detroit.

That might not seem like a big deal to fans who don’t pay much attention to baseball outside of Detroit. But let me assure you, this could be the best news of the offseason.

For a fan base that has been treated to the commentary of Mario Impemba, Dan Dickerson, and the legendary Ernie Harwell, the last few years of listening to the TV broadcasts have seemed… lackluster. Something just didn’t really click.

When you’re a diehard baseball fan, the person doing play-by-play is also the person who narrates your summer. You listen to them 162 times a year. Other than your immediate family, who do you spend more time with?

If the Tigers are ready to enter a window of more competitive baseball, they knew they needed a voice worthy of delivering it to fans. Someone who can grow with the team along this ride.

I had no idea who they might target. Run it back with Impemba? Move Dickerson to TV? Swipe Michigan native Joe Davis from the mighty Dodgers?

Turns out, they had an even better surprise in store.

Benetti is a thoughtful, knowledgable, and eloquent narrator of the game. He can capture big moments without corny catch phrases and make viewers laugh without crossing the line. He’s even survived calling college hoops alongside Bill Walton, a true test of a play-by-play announcer’s endurance and discipline.

The down-time banter — still critically important to baseball broadcasting even with the new pitch clock rules — will feel more natural and entertaining during Tigers games in 2024, I can promise you that.

Benetti’s decision to join the Tigers should also give fans an added sense of confidence. It’s more fun to call games for a competitive team — especially when the season is 162 games long — and I’m not sure Benetti would have willingly left Chicago if he thought the Tigers were going to continue losing.

Yeah, I’m sure the Tigers opened their pocketbook, and that doesn’t hurt. But a guy who knows baseball left his hometown team to come to Detroit — that’s exciting.

The Tigers need to make some moves that actually improve the team on the field — two starting pitchers and a third baseman, maybe? But it’s fair to say the offseason is already off to a great start.

Fans haven’t had a lot to cheer about recently, so they deserved this. A big-time free agent chose to come to Detroit. Welcome, Jason Benetti.