On Monday, the Detroit Tigers made a major announcement about Kirk Gibson.
Gibson will not be part of the Tigers’ broadcasting staff in 2025. Gibson said in a statement that he will concentrate on his health as he continues to battle Parkinson’s disease.
“Although I may be leaving the booth, my connection with the Tigers remains strong,” Gibson stated in his statement. Over the last 25 years, I’ve had the distinction of introducing key components of the game based on my experiences as a player, manager, and coach. I’m really grateful to the Tigers organization, the Ilitch family, and Detroit’s devoted baseball fans.”
Gibson also mentioned that he plans to construct a clinic in Michigan to assist patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
“On a personal level, I’ll concentrate on my present health while also continuing to assist and inspire individuals fighting Parkinson’s. My Foundation will open the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness this fall. “Developing this Center is a massive undertaking that will be the first of its kind in Michigan, providing Parkinson’s patients with free access to a variety of activity-based programs,” Gibson stated.
“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 has Parkinson’s disease. The 67-year-old spent 17 seasons in Major League Baseball, 12 of them with the Tigers, spread out between two stints. He won the World Series twice, with the Tigers in 1984 and the Dodgers in 1988. He also earned the National League MVP award in 1988 and hit one of the most iconic home runs in World Series history that season.
Gibson retired as a player and went on to coach for the Tigers. He previously managed the Diamondbacks from 2010 until 2014.
Gibson also worked as a broadcaster for the Tigers from 1998 to 2002. He has been calling Tigers games since 2015, albeit his number of appearances has declined in subsequent seasons.
