Just before the 2025 MLB season began, it was revealed that Kirk Gibson would no longer be part of the Detroit Tigers’ broadcast team. Several months later, he opened up about the decision.
In a conversation with Tony Paul of The Detroit News, Gibson expressed no regrets about stepping away from the booth.
“I enjoyed certain aspects, but it just wasn’t the right fit,” Gibson said, via Austin Konenski of Sportsnaut. “When I looked at the big picture, I knew it was the right choice… One of the key lessons I learned from my mentors over the years, especially Sparky Anderson, was to always take the high road. He challenged me when I was younger—he’d ask, ‘Can you take it?’ I didn’t understand at first, but eventually I realized he meant staying quiet and doing what’s best for the team.”
Gibson’s departure didn’t signal any turmoil within the organization. In fact, 2024 marked a major turnaround for the Tigers, who finished 86-76—their first winning season since 2016—and earned a playoff berth for the first time in a decade. The broadcast booth also flourished, with Jason Benetti making a strong impression in his first year as the play-by-play voice. In a reader poll by Awful Announcing, Detroit’s announce crew was ranked the 10th-best in baseball, and they’ve remained a fan favorite into 2025.
Even so, Gibson appears confident in his choice to step away.
“Things evolve over time,” he said. “As you get older, you’ve got to adapt—whether it’s in a partnership or a team environment. That’s all I’ll say.”
