CHICAGO (CBS) — The White Sox and their fans suffered a depressing loss on Thursday, as beloved TV play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti left Chicago to join the division-rival Detroit Tigers’ broadcast booth.
The move stunned many in the sports world, as Benetti grew up in Homewood and has been a lifelong White Sox fan.
Considered one of the top voices in sports, Benetti has lived out a childhood dream for the last eight years as the voice of White Sox television broadcasts. He took over as the team’s play-by-play man after broadcasting legend Ken “Hawk” Harrelson retired in 2016.
Benetti thanked White Sox fans in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“You’ve spent 8 years making me feel welcome and loved and appreciated. And I love you dearly. I will always cherish you and your passion and joy. You mean more than you know to me. Thank you for filling my heart,” he wrote.
The Tigers confirmed Benetti has signed a multi-year contract to become Detroit’s television play-by-play announcer.
“I’m incredibly proud to join this historic and ascending Tigers franchise,” Benetti said in a statement from the Tigers. “From every single person I talked with throughout the interview process it was clear why so many respected professionals and creative people have joined the organization in the last several years. There’s something special about it, and I’m excited to bring that energy to Tigers fans around the globe.”
Benetti is also an announcer for FOX national broadcasts, doing play-by-play for Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball. He also does radio play-by-play for the NCAA Tournament on Westwood One. According to published reports,
Before joining the White Sox, Benetti called lacrosse, basketball, and baseball games at his alma mater, Syracuse; worked in roles at Fox Sports 1, Westwood One, and ESPN, before joining analyst Steve Stone in the White Sox broadcast booth in 2016 – all while defying the odds, having been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
It remains unclear why he decided to leave the Sox organization. According to published reports, there had been friction between Benetti and the White Sox during his last contract negotiations, over his national broadcasting duties, which saw him missing as many as 35 White Sox games in a season.
At Cork and Kerry at the Park – a fan-favorite bar outside the White Sox ballpark – fans were left scratching their heads on Thursday.
“The big change for the Chicago community is probably a hit, just because we’re so used to hearing that voice,” one fan said. “Probably getting somebody to fill those shoes, since he’s been here so long, is going to be tough, but I mean change happens.”
Despite the loss, a White Sox spokesperson gave Benetti the team’s blessings.
“We want to thank Jason Benetti for all he has done for the Chicago White Sox throughout his tenure and for all he means to White Sox fans,” spokesman Brooks Boyer said in a statement. “Not only is Jason one of the very best broadcasters across multiple sports, he is a born-and-raised White Sox fan who shared his passion for the team on air night in and night out. He represented the club in the community and engaged with fans, all while delivering one of the very best local broadcasts in Major League Baseball.”
The White Sox said a search for Benetti’s replacement will begin immediately.
“With Len Kasper fully committed to radio, our next step is to find the best person to pair with Steve Stone to continue to provide White Sox fans with smart, entertaining, and informative broadcasts in 2024,” Boyer said.