Tigers announce big news about announcer Kirk Gibson

The Detroit Tigers on Monday announced some big news about Kirk Gibson.

Gibson will not be a part of the Tigers’ broadcasting team for the 2025 season. Gibson said in a statement that he will be focusing on his health as he continues to deal with Parkinson’s disease.

“Although I may be leaving the booth, my connection with the Tigers remains strong,” Gibson said in his statement. Over the past 25 years, I have been honored to introduce integral parts o the game from my experiences as a player, manager, and coach. I’m incredibly grateful for the support from the Tigers organization, the Ilitch family, and Detroit’s loyal baseball fans.”

Gibson also revealed he is opening a center to help people in Michigan who are battling Parkinson’s disease.

“On a personal level, I’ll be focusing on my current health while also continuing to support and encourage others battling Parkinson’s. Through my Foundation, we are opening the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness this fall. Developing this Center is a huge endeavor that will be the first of its kind in Michigan providing those impacted by Parkinson’s with access to a range of activity-based programs, completely free of charge,” Gibson’s statement said.

“This transition isn’t about slowing me down, it’s about moving forward with my mission to make a difference in the lives of those with Parkinson’s.”

Gibson revealed in 2015 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The 67-year-old played 17 seasons in MLB — 12 of which were with the Tigers, split over two stints. He won the World Series with the Tigers in 1984 and with the Dodgers in 1988. He also won NL MVP in 1988 and hit one of the most famous home runs in World Series history that year.

Gibson coached with the Tigers after retiring as a player. He also managed the Diamondbacks from 2010-2014.

Additionally, Gibson served as a broadcaster for the Tigers from 1998-2002. He had been calling Tigers games since 2015, though the amount of appearances he’s made has decreased in recent years.

Jace Jung and Sean Guenther were optioned to Triple-A on Monday after eight players were moved to minor league camp on Saturday.

After another major round of cuts from Detroit Tigers major league camp were announced on Saturday, March 15, the Tigers also optioned infielder Jace Jung and left-handed reliever Sean Guenther to Triple-A Toledo, moving them over to minor league camp. With less than two weeks left until Opening Day on March 26, the starters are stretching out and the Tigers are trying to finalize their position player group and find some solutions for a few big problems. Playing time is now at a premium as the roster battles come into focus.

The big move here is obvious Jung. The Tigers pursued and didn’t land Alex Bregman this offseason, and the backup plan revolved around Jung taking over at third base, at least against right-handed pitchers. Now they need backup plans for their backup plan. Jung has looked serviceable defensively at the position, but at the plate has done little but slap ground balls and pop the ball up so far. He’s still drawing walks and not exactly striking out that much considering we’re looking at a pretty small sample of Grapefruit League games, but the Tigers have decided to send the 24-year-old back to Triple-A Toledo to start the year.

The backup plans here aren’t very compelling. The Tigers can play some combination of Javier Báez, Andy Ibáñez, Jahmai Jones, and Ryan Kreidler at third base, but those aren’t very good options overall, and leaves them without an option against right-handed pitching. One would assume that Zack McKinstry is going to get a lot of playing time at third base to start the year.

The move does perhaps open up more room to take Spencer Torkelson along on Opening Day, at least as a designated hitter. There’s talk of trying the wayward first baseman in left field, but that’s the kind of move that shouldn’t wait until the final nine days of camp. In small doses it may let them get Torkelson in as a pinch-hitter in certain situations, but just putting him out there with no real experience feels pretty desperate.