Jason Benetti recently signed a deal to become the new television play-by-play voice of the Detroit Tigers on Bally Sports Detroit, a decision that surprised much of the baseball world. Benetti had worked with the Chicago White Sox broadcasts for eight years and had become a familiar and friendly voice to fans of the team. There is a certain affinity tied within the broadcasters of a Major League Baseball game, a characteristic that David Haugh underscored on Friday’s edition of Mully & Haugh on 670 The Score.
“They are your companion,” Haugh said of the announcers, “so I do think that this is not exclusively a Chicago thing.”
Haugh emphasized how the exit of Benetti feels odd and something that was precipitated by displeasure from White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. The White Sox have not qualified for the postseason since 2021 and finished 50 games under .500 in the 2023 regular season, underperformance that led to a disgruntled fanbase and changes abound within the organization.
“This begins with Jerry Reinsdorf not exactly being as enamored with Jason Bentti’s sense of humor as the rest of Sox nation was,” David Haugh explained. “Do the Sox math – this doesn’t add up. Jason plus Jerry equals something that couldn’t last, so Jason Benetti is gone.
Mike Monaco, who has filled in on Boston Red Sox games on NESN while broadcasting different sports nationally for ESPN, could be a candidate to fill the position, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. The White Sox will keep Len Kasper on the radio broadcasts for the 2024 regular season and are in the midst of the search for a new partner to join Steve Stone in the television booth.
“I hope he finds the life he wants,” Stone said in a post on X addressing Benetti’s departure. “Jason is one of the finest broadcasters I’ve ever seen. He moves from sport to sport effortlessly. I wish him the best of everything. You’ll see him for many years.”
After the executive producer, Dustin Rhoades, brought up the point that Benetti is signed on to call 127 Tigers games throughout the season in order to continue fulfilling his national obligations, he took issue with the fact that the broadcaster is not committed to the full slate of games. In response, co-host Mike Mulligan gave his take on the situation, also adding that he felt bad that he gave up his dream job for broadcasting White Sox games.
“I have no problem with a guy trying to earn, Dustin, and if a guy has to do multiple things, I’ve got no problem with that,” Mulligan said. “A high tide raises all ships, and I think it can help everyone.”
