The Detroit Tigers are mourning the loss of another member of their 1968 championship team and a longtime broadcaster.
The team confirmed Tuesday that radio analyst Jim Price has died at 81.
Price had worked with the Tigers on cable television before going to radio in 1998. He worked alongside play-by-play announcers Frank Beckmann, Ernie Harwell, and current announcer Dan Dickerson.
"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," said Dickerson in a statement reported by WDIV-TV Local 4. "Jim helped get me through that first season, which made what happened three years later all the sweeter."
Price had been off the air for at least a month, and two seasons ago cut his broadcast duties to home games only.
Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Price began his catching career in 1960 with the Pittsburgh Pirates system but did not enter the big leagues until the Tigers purchased his contract in 1967. As the backup catcher for Bill Freehan, Price played for Detroit through the 1971 season. He was a member of the 1968 squad that won the World Series.
After his playing career ended, Price went into business, but years after got bit by the broadcasting bug, finding work on local television. He was on the broadcast team for the first live sporting event broadcast by ESPN in 1979. He joined the Tigers as a commentator for its cable television broadcasts in 1993.
Price had also been active in local charities, and in 1995, began Jack's Place for Autism, named after his son Jackson, who has autism.