Matt Shepard Out as TV Voice of MLB Tigers

Matt Shepard

Matt Shepard, a staple on the airwaves of Metro Detroit for decades, is out after five years as the television play-by-play voice of the Tigers on Bally Sports Detroit. Bally officials informed Shepard of their decision during a Tuesday morning meeting.

The Detroit News reports a national search soon will commence to find Shepard's replacement.

"Bally Sports Detroit thanks Matt Shepard for his five seasons of dedication in the Tigers television booth, and wishes him the best in his future endeavors," Greg Hammeran, senior vice president and general manager of Bally Sports Detroit, said in a statement to The Detroit News. "He's been a great teammate and has an incredible passion for Detroit sports and bringing compelling storylines to millions of fans every year.

"Change is often difficult, but we feel it's time to head in a new direction and are looking forward to the process of finding our next play-by-play voice of the Tigers."

Matt Shepard spent five seasons as the television play-by-play voice of the Detroit Tigers.

Shepard, 58, was named the Tigers' TV voice in January 2019, months after longtime team broadcasters Mario Impemba and Rod Allen were fired following an altercation after a White Sox-Tigers game in Chicago.

Shepard filled in on the broadcasts for the rest of 2018, and was the natural fit to be promoted, despite a national search that included more than 50 interviews.