Jim Price Obituary: Former Tigers Catcher and Broadcaster Jim Price Cause of Death Revealed

Jim Price, who spent five seasons as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers and 31 years as a radio and television analyst for the team, died on Monday at the age of 81. The Tigers announced his death on Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Price had battled several health issues in recent years, including multiple bouts with cancer.

A champion on the field and in the booth

Price was born on Oct. 13, 1941, in Harrisburg, Pa. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school in 1960 and spent seven years in their minor league system, earning the Pirates’ Minor League Player of the Year award in 1963. He made his major league debut with the Tigers in 1967, after they purchased his contract from the Pirates.

Price served as a backup to All-Star and Gold Glove-winning catcher Bill Freehan, playing in 261 games for the Tigers from 1967 to 1971. He hit .214 with 18 home runs and 71 RBIs in his career. Not many people know this fact but he was part of the Tigers’ 1968 World Series championship team. They are famous for defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Price hit a walk-off home run against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 21, 1968, one of his career highlights.

After retiring from playing in 1971, Price went into business but also pursued a broadcasting career. He worked for several local Detroit television stations and ESPN, becoming the first live sports broadcast on the network. He joined the Tigers’ broadcast team in the early 1990s, working with Frank Beckmann, Jim Northrup, and Ernie Harwell, the legendary voice of the Tigers who had called Price’s games as a player.

Price and Harwell formed a close partnership that lasted until Harwell’s retirement in 2002. Price then teamed up with Dan Dickerson, who took over as the primary play-by-play announcer for the Tigers on radio. Price and Dickerson became a familiar soundtrack for summers in Michigan, covering the Tigers’ rise from 119 losses in 2003 to two World Series appearances in 2006 and 2012.

Price was known for his colorful commentary and catchphrases, such as “the tools of intelligence” to describe catchers and their equipment, and “yellowhammer” to describe a good breaking ball. He also had a loyal fan base that formed a Jim Price Fan Club.

Tributes from the baseball world

Price’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from the baseball world, including former teammates, colleagues, fans and friends. Here are some of them:

All of us with the Detroit Tigers are deeply saddened to learn of Jim Price’s passing. Jim was a champion on the field, in the broadcast booth, and throughout the community. That Jim was with the organization for much of his life, doing what he loved, is such a powerful sign of his dedication and loyalty to the Tigers and the city of Detroit. Those are among the many reasons Jim was one of my mother and father’s favorite people, and they had such a strong relationship for many years. The thoughts of my family, and everyone across baseball, are with Jim’s wife, Lisa, and the entire Price family – Chris Ilitch, Tigers chairman and CEO

This is such sad news. Jim and I were together for 24 seasons, and experienced both ends of the spectrum with our beloved Tigers – from a tough season in the first year after Ernie retired, to two trips to the World Series. Jim helped get me through that first season, which made what happened three years later all the sweeter. My favorite memories working with Jim were the days when Al Kaline would stop in the booth – and I’d get to hear them tell stories, swap some tall tales, just make each other laugh about something from the past or current day – Dan Dickerson

Jim was one of my favorite people ever. He was always upbeat no matter what was going on with him or around him. He loved life so much that it rubbed off on everyone he met. He was a great teammate and a great broadcaster. He will be missed by all who knew him – Willie Horton

Jim was a great friend and colleague for many years. He had a passion for baseball and a love for the Tigers that was unmatched. He was always generous with his time and his knowledge. He was a joy to work with and to listen to. He will be remembered as one of the best in the business – Ernie Harwell

A table of important data

Interesting Facts

• Jim Price was a former Tigers catcher and broadcaster who died on Monday at the age of 81.
• He played for the Tigers from 1967 to 1971, and was part of the 1968 World Series championship team.
• He worked as a broadcaster for the Tigers for 31 years, partnering with Ernie Harwell and Dan Dickerson.
• He was known for his colorful commentary and catchphrases, such as “the tools of intelligence” and “yellowhammer”.
• He was beloved by the Tigers organization, his colleagues, his fans and his friends.

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