Jim Price obit

Longtime Tigers broadcaster Jim Price passes away at 81

 

He was not on the list.

Jim Price, a catcher on the Detroit Tigers’ 1968 championship who later spent decades working for the club in the broadcast booth, passed away Monday night. He was 81.

Price had been in poor health but was still doing commentary with longtime partner Dan Dickerson on home radio broadcasts as recently as last month.

“This is such sad news,” Dickerson said in a team release. “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.”

Jimmie William Price was born in 1941 in Harrisburg, Pa., and originally signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Hershey (Pa.) High School. He spent seven years in the Pirates’ minor-league system before being purchased by the Tigers in 1967. He went on to spend the next five seasons as backup catcher to Bill Freehan.

Price joined Tigers radio broadcasts in 1998 and also spent several seasons doing TV broadcasts during the 1990s.

“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.”

Price was known for his colorful catchphrases like “yellow hammer” for a good breaking ball; “buggy whip” for a well-struck hit; “the art of pitching” for a well-pitched game; and “nice area” for any mention of a city, town or suburb in Michigan.

“These folksy ‘Jim-isms’ were what made him such a fan favorite,” Dickerson said. “Every time I see a good curveball, I can’t help but think of Jim. I’m sure he won’t mind if I break out the occasional ‘yellowhammer’ when I do. He will be missed.”

Tigers chairman and CEO said he and his family were deeply saddened to learn of Price’s passing. Ilitch’s mother Marian and late father Mike were especially close to Price.

“Jim was a champion on the field, in the broadcast booth, and throughout the community,” Ilitch said. “That Jim was with the organization for much of his life, doing what he loved, is such a powerful sign of his dedication and loyalty to the Tigers and the city of Detroit. Those are among the many reasons Jim was one of my mother and father’s favorite people, and they had such a strong relationship for many years. The thoughts of my family, and everyone across baseball, are with Jim’s wife, Lisa, and the entire Price family.”

In 2002, Price and his wife, Lisa, founded Jack’s Place for Autism, a foundation named after their son, to benefit families affected by autism.

Price has not been a regular presence on road broadcasts since the 2020 COVID pandemic limited his travel.

His presence at home games became more sporadic this season, although he was in the booth for the Tigers’ combined no-hitter on July 8, which was one of his last games.

Bobby Scales was also brought on board before the season to handle some of Price’s workload. Former Tigers players Andy Dirks and Cameron Maybin have filled in on some radio broadcasts.