Tigers fans rally around legendary broadcaster Dan Dickerson after team announcement

As the Detroit Tigers open an important series against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, they will do so without one of their most important and beloved figures outside of the players themselves.

The Tigers announced on social media Friday afternoon that their longtime radio play-by-play voice, Dan Dickerson, would be away for the team for a few days to be with his mother as she battles "serious health issues." No further details regarding the length of his absence were given.

Dickerson was originally set to fill in for television play-by-play voice Jason Benetti on the FanDuel Sports Network Detroit broadcast of Friday's game while Benetti is Texas calling the NCAA football game between Baylor and Auburn for FOX Sports. As a last-minute replacement, the Tigers have called upon MLB Network contributor and former Marlins broadcaster Paul Severino for their series opener in Kansas City.

Benetti will return to the Tigers' TV booth on Saturday, while Greg Gania will handle radio play-by-play duties until Dickerson returns.

Tigers fans rally around legendary broadcaster Dan Dickerson after team announcement

Dickerson isn’t just a broadcaster; he’s the narrator of modern Tigers history. Much like Ernie Harwell before him, Dickerson has become a voice of summer in Detroit for more than two decades, and his presence deepens the emotional bond between the team and its fans.

By bridging the post-Harwell era with the 2006 American League pennant, the Miguel Cabrera years and now the new wave of prospects, Dickerson embodies continuity through the Tigers’ ups and downs. For younger Tigers fans, Dickerson's voice has been the backdrop of their entire baseball experience.

Fans will miss hearing Dickerson's calls on the airwaves for however long he is away from the team, and the outpouring of supportive messages on social media show how much he is valued by the Tigers' fanbase.

Gania, the radio broadcaster for the Erie Seawolves (Detroit's Double-A affiliate) will have the radio call on Friday – and until further notice – as the Tigers send Chris Paddack to the mound against Seth Lugo and the Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Sending our best to Dan during these difficult times.

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