Longtime member of the Detroit Red Wings organization has announced his retirement
Photo credit: Little Caesars Arena
On Monday night, the Detroit Red Wings saluted their fans and also a longtime member of the organization at Little Caesars Arena during their last home game of the season.
It was a special night, marking a rare home win for the team and an even more significant moment as it was broadcaster John Keating's final home game on the mic.
Keating shared that he decided to retire mid-Tigers season in July, after a conversation with his boss, Jeff Byle, who told him he could choose his retirement date.
Keating said he wanted more time to enjoy Lake Michigan sunsets with his family in Grand Haven, so he planned to finish the Tigers and Red Wings seasons before stepping away.
It's a decision I reached in the middle of the Tigers season this past July.
A couple of years ago, I was out for a ginger ale with my boss, Jeff Byle, who is a longtime pal and he graciously told me at the time, "You tell us when you want to be done. You've earned that. Trust me. In this biz? That's as good as it gets.
It was wistful getting through the end of the Tigers season and now that the Red Wings season is ongoing, it just feels like it's time to share the decision.
It came down to this:
There haven't been enough sunsets with the family in Grand Haven on the Lake Michigan coast.
...So, I shared with Jeff, that I'd like to get through the Tigers and then the Wings season and then be done. Thus, that's the deal. So?
Let's have a blast in this lap, eh?
And pray to the Baby Jesus, that I can survive Chris Osgood this season.
A couple of years ago, I was out for a ginger ale with my boss, Jeff Byle, who is a longtime pal and he graciously told me at the time, "You tell us when you want to be done. You've earned that. Trust me. In this biz? That's as good as it gets.
It was wistful getting through the end of the Tigers season and now that the Red Wings season is ongoing, it just feels like it's time to share the decision.
It came down to this:
There haven't been enough sunsets with the family in Grand Haven on the Lake Michigan coast.
...So, I shared with Jeff, that I'd like to get through the Tigers and then the Wings season and then be done. Thus, that's the deal. So?
Let's have a blast in this lap, eh?
And pray to the Baby Jesus, that I can survive Chris Osgood this season.
He looked forward to making the most of his final season, cracking a joke by stating his hope to "survive" working with Chris Osgood.
The Red Wings honored Keating by giving him a final salute while we sat in the press box during the last home game of the season, which was a 6-4 win against the Dallas Stars.
Wishing you a happy retirement, John!
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 16 | 164 ANSWERS Longtime member of the Detroit Red Wings organization has announced his retirement Happy retirement, John! | ||
| Happy retirement! | 164 | 100 % |
| List of polls | ||
