Rod Allen

Playing career

Allen was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round of the 1977 Major League Baseball draft. He enjoyed a brief stint with the Seattle Mariners in 1983. He was 23 years old when he made his major league debut on April 7, 1983. He hit .296 in 27 at bats during a 15-game stint as an outfielder and designated hitter with the World Series Champion Detroit Tigers in 1984. He enjoyed another brief stint in the majors with the Cleveland Indians in 1988. Allen spent the last three years of his playing career with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan's Central League. He hit a pair of home runs against Seibu Lions in the 1991 Japan Series and set a Japanese regular season record with four Home runs in four consecutive at bats during his time in the league. He is infamous for charging the mound after Kazuhiko Daimon from the Yokohama Taiyo Whales hit him in the back with a pitch, and subsequently chasing the pitcher across the entire field with both teams' benches in tow.

Coaching career

Prior to his work as a broadcaster, Allen spent four seasons as a hitting instructor in the Florida Marlins organization from 1992 through 1995. In 1994 and 1995, he was the hitting coach for the Kane County Cougars, the Marlins Single-A affiliate in the Midwest League. Some of the notable batters he coached include Mike Redmond, Kevin Millar, and Luis Castillo. During his time in the organization, Allen worked under Marlins GM Dave Dombrowski, who would later become the Tigers president, CEO, and general manager.

Arizona Diamondbacks

From 1998–2002 he spent five seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a television (Fox Sports Arizona) and radio (KTAR) analyst. He served as the colour commentator on the Diamondbacks radio broadcasts during the 2001 postseason, including the World Series win against the New York Yankees. Allen was replaced as Diamondbacks television analyst by former major leaguer Mark Grace.

Detroit Tigers

Allen is the regular color commentator on Detroit Tigers telecasts for Fox Sports Detroit, joined by play-by-play man Mario Impemba. Allen won Michigan Emmys in 2006 and 2007 for his analysis of Detroit Tigers baseball.

Rod is a longtime member of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association founded in 1948 by legendary Tigers broadcaster Ty Tyson.

On September 21 Tigers player James McCann hit a three-run home run Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins that put the Tigers up 6-0 in the sixth inning, Rod Allen excitedly shouted "Second Deck!" but when you listen to it, it sounds like he's saying something inappropriate for work. This was picked up by 97.1 the Ticket and is quickly becoming their most popular drop.

Fox Saturday Baseball

In addition to his work for the Diamondbacks and Tigers, Allen does color commentary for Fox Saturday Baseball, including games involving the Tigers.

Family life

Allen and his wife, Adrian, have four children: Rhonda, Rod, Jr., Andrew, and Rachel. The Allens live in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Rod, Jr. was selected by the New York Yankees in the 12th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft after a collegiate career at Arizona State University. He played the 2004 season with the Staten Island Yankees in the New York–Penn League, and played for the Class A Winston-Salem Warthogs in 2006 and 2007. His most recent professional stint was in 2011 with the White Sands Pupfish in the Pecos League. Andrew was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 43rd round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. He attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona.