Kirk Gibson heads to broadcast boost as analyst for Tigers
Back home in Michigan, Kirk Gibson wasted little time getting back into baseball ... and back in the broadcast booth.
Gibson will lend his unique perspective on the game as a part-time analyst on Detroit Tigers' telecasts for Fox Sports Detroit this season, joining former teammate Jack Morris and former D-backs analyst Rod Allen, the station announced Tuesday.
"I'm looking forward to getting back in the booth this season," Gibson said in a prepared statement. "I'm excited to offer some insights as both a player and manager on such a talented team and organization as the Detroit Tigers."
Gibson, relieved of his duties as the Diamondbacks' manager last September, spent 12 of his 17 major league seasons with the Tigers and helped them to the 1984 World Series victory.
Gibson had served as a color analyst on Fox Sports Detroit from 1998 to 2002 before joining manager Alan Trammell's coaching staff from 2003-05. Mario Impemba is the team's play-by-play announcer.
Gibson was 353-375 in 4 1/2 seasons as the D-backs' manager, winning the NL West in his first full season in 2011, when he was named the NL Manager of the Year. He was relieved on Sept. 26, 2014, the final weekend of the regular season. Chip Hale was hired as his replacement a month later.
"All of us at FOX Sports Detroit are excited to welcome back Jack and Kirk to our Tigers broadcasting team for the 2015 season," FOX Sports Detroit general manager Greg Hammaren said in a statement.
"The Tigers are an elite team and the unique perspectives that Jack, Kirk and Rod can each share will bring another level of expertise and excitement that Tigers fans deserve."
Trammell, who served as the D-backs' bench coach under Gibson, also has rejoined the Tigers, as a special assistant to president/CEO Dave Dombrowski.