Mario Impemba
Mario Impemba | |
---|---|
![]() Impemba in Germany in 2013 | |
Born | 1962 or 1963 (age 60–61) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
Alma mater | Michigan State University |
Occupation | Sportscaster |
Sports commentary career | |
Teams |
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Genre | Play-by-play |
Sport | Major League Baseball |
Mario Impemba (born 1962 or 1963)[1] is an American sportscaster, best known as the television play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Tigers from 2002 to 2018. Before working for the Tigers, he announced for the Los Angeles Angels on both television and radio and several minor league teams.
Early and education
Impemba was born in Detroit and grew up in Sterling Heights, Michigan.[2][3] He attended Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights before graduating from Michigan State University in 1985.[2][4]
Career
Early roles
At Michigan State University, Impemba volunteered to announce whatever games were being broadcast on the university sports network. As a professional, he started out announcing games for the
Impemba served as the radio (
Detroit Tigers
Beginning in 2002, Impemba joined the Tigers television team alongside
On September 4, 2018, Impemba and Allen were involved in an off-air physical altercation immediately after broadcasting the Tigers' road game against the Chicago White Sox. Fox Sports Detroit sent the men home on different planes after the game, and the following night's telecast was covered by Matt Shepard and Kirk Gibson.[7] While one source claimed that there was an argument over a chair, followed by Allen putting Impemba in a choke hold, Allen's agent denied that his client choked Impemba.[8] On September 7, Fox Sports Detroit suspended both men from calling any Tigers games for the remainder of the 2018 season.[9] It was later announced that Impemba and Allen's contracts were not renewed for future seasons, ending their 16-year partnership.[10]
Boston Red Sox
On February 13, 2019, Impemba was named as a part-time play-by-play announcer for the Boston Red Sox Radio Network.[11] It was announced in January 2020 that he would not return to the Red Sox.[12]
Awards and other works
Impemba's book If These Walls Could Talk: Detroit Tigers was published in 2014.[13] He won a Michigan Emmy Award in June 2006 in the sports play-by-play category.[4]
Personal life
Impemba and his wife Cathy are parents of two sons, Brett and Daniel. Brett was drafted in the 49th round of the
References
- The Associated Press. November 1, 1994. p. C6.
Impemba, 31, will join Bob Starr on KMPC radio at the beginning of the 1995 season...
- ^ a b c "Broadcasters: Detroit Tigers". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Gerstner, Joanne C. (July 22, 2002). "Impemba lives out dream as a Tigers broadcaster - Sterling Heights native is not afraid to be critical of team". The Detroit News. p. 04F.
- ^ a b c d "Fox Sports Detroit Official Site - On Air Talent - Mario Impemba". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
- ^ a b c Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Member Profile - Mario Impemba Archived August 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Price, S.L. (July 19, 2018). "Tamed Fury: How Kirk Gibson Learned to Quell His Volcanic Ferocity After Years of Rage". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Fenech, Anthony (September 6, 2018). "Detroit Tigers' Mario Impemba, Rod Allen have 'severe' physical incident". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ Fenech, Anthony (September 7, 2018). "Detroit Tigers' Mario Impemba-Rod Allen altercation: Everything we know". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ Frenech, Anthony (September 7, 2018). "Fox Sports Detroit: Rod Allen, Mario Impemba done for season". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ Frenech, Anthony (October 9, 2018). "Broadcasters Rod Allen, Mario Impemba won't return to Detroit Tigers". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ Paul, Tony (February 13, 2019). "Former Tigers TV broadcaster Mario Impemba to join Red Sox radio team". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
- ^ Paul, Tony (January 31, 2020). "Ex-Tigers TV man Mario Impemba without a job for first time since 1986". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ISBN 9781600789274.
- ^ Oakland Signees Selected in Major League Baseball Draft Oakland University June 9, 2011[dead link]