Justin Verlander Tuesday night became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Detroit in 34 years, but the Tiger radio and television announcers did a shameful job of keeping fans in the dark during the history-making performance.
TV play-by-play man Mario Impemba never mentioned the no-hitter until the game was over. Radio announcer Dan Dickerson dropped cryptic hints that something special was going on but refused to utter the words “no-hitter.” Both said later that they didn’t want to jinx Verlander’s bid and be criticized later if the no-hitter was broken up. Color men Jim Price and Rod Allen played along with their partners.
The Tiger announcers forgot or simply don’t care that they first are supposed to be reporters. Informing fans that history is about to be made is simply their duty. If they can’t report what’s happening, they all ought to find a new line of work. Some fans said Wednesday they tuned in to portions of the game but turned it off after getting the score because the announcers never told them that someting special was happening.
Ernie Harwell and the late Red Barber always reported when a no-hitter was in progress by either team. Both considered it their duty to the listeners, many of whom have not been listening since the opening pitch. Of course, Harwell and Barber are in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The Tigers’ embarrassing foursome belong in the Hall of Shame.
I got a hint of a no-hitter when I tuned in about the fifth inning and heard Impemba say, “Verlander has been lights out.” Good thing I understood the clue!