Dan Dickerson cherishes Detroit Tigers championship play calls

Detroit Tigers radio voice, Dan Dickerson, recalls 2006 Tigers call, how he prepared for 2012

DETROIT – Most of us, during historic sports triumphs, simply jump up and down and yell.

But play-by-play man Dan Dickerson of 97.1 The Ticket has to say it right.

"This is the one call you actually have to think about," Dickerson said. "Everything else is you react to what's going on. That's the beauty of it."

Whatever he says will be played over and over, such as the call he made for the Detroit Tigers World Series-clinching homerun from Magglio Ordonez: "Way back ... and the Tigers are going to the World Series!"

"I hear from so many people. I mean, it's six years later, and people talk about the Magglio call ... (laughs)," Dickerson said.

By the time a 2012 Tigers AL Pennant win was unfolding before his microphone, Dickerson had prepared.

"I can't say they are going to the World Series because people heard that call in 2006," he said.

He had scribbled down some words including a phrase from the 1968 Tigers theme song: "World Series bound and picking up steam."

"Every kid from the late 60s memorized that song," said Dickerson.

So he let it rip Thursday night at the end of Game 4 with " ... World Series bound!"

"I almost said 'and picking up steam,' but I thought that would be too much," he said.

It was a great moment for the fans and for Dickerson. A popup came down to Earth while the city's spirits traveled in the opposite direction.

"At the end it was great. I mean, I remember feeling the chills ... I mean, to have a routine play to end it is kind of fun, versus the walk-off homerun. And I love Prince Fielder, the way he was calling for it," Dickerson said.

Dickerson can't wait to say something new if the Tigers win the World Series.