(WWJ) – Jim Price, former Detroit Tigers World Series Champion and longtime radio analyst, has died.
The club announced Tuesday afternoon Price died at the age of 81. No cause of death was given.
"This is such sad news," his longtime play-by-play partner Dan Dickerson said. "Jim and I were together for 24 seasons, and experienced both ends of the spectrum with our beloved Tigers – from a tough season in the first year after Ernie retired, to two trips to the World Series. Jim helped get me through that first season, which made what happened three years later all the sweeter."
Price debuted with the Tigers in 1967 and was part of the team's World Series championship the following year. He spent all five years of his Major League career with Detroit before transitioning to the booth in the late 1990s.
"All of us with the Detroit Tigers are deeply saddened to learn of Jim Price's passing," said Tigers Chairman and CEO, Chris Ilitch, per a press release.
"My favorite memories working with Jim were the days when Al Kaline would stop in the booth – and I'd get to hear them tell stories, swap some tall tales, just make each other laugh about something from the past, or current day," Dickerson said. "The '68 team was my team – the team that got me hooked on baseball, and I loved hearing all about the wildly different personalities that made up that team."
WWJ's Luke Sloan interned in the Tigers' radio booth with Price and Dickerson in 2021.
"The energy that he brought to the booth every day approaching 80 years old inspired me so much," Sloan said. "Jim was always so grateful with his time during rain delays, before and after games, late nights during the grind of a season. He's always be willing to talk about baseball, talk about business, talk about anything."
Sloan says he'll remember Price for his laugh and smile -- and of course his catchphrases.
As will many Tigers fans. Price became well known for sayings like "the art of pitching," referring to anywhere and everywhere as "a nice area," and of course invoking "the buggywhip" on deep home runs.
Price remained close to the game in his post-playing days, particularly with teammate Willie Horton and late Tigers legend Al Kaline.
"This is an incredibly sad day for the Tigers family," Horton said in a press release. "Jimmy was one of a kind, and one of the best ambassadors for the organization since he retired as a player. He was an incredible teammate and friend to so many, and his impact will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with Lisa and all of Jim's family."
On social media, 97.1 The Ticket's Jeff Riger was among the many sports broadcasters who shared fond words and memories on Tuesday.
"So sad to hear. Jim was a great man who always called it like he saw it," Riger wrote. "My Mom is a huge 1968 fan and I'll never forget introducing them. He could not have been nicer or cooler. I'll miss Jim's phrases like Yellow Hammer, Art of Pitching and of course Arsenal. Very sad day."
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest coverage on this story.
