Ex-Detroit Tigers voice Mario Impemba up for Michigan sportscaster of year

Kirkland Crawford | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Rod Allen, Mario Impemba reportedly involved in physical incident Tigers broadcasters Mario Impemba and Rod Allen got into a physical altercation. It was known by many that they are not close friends.

The National Sports Media Association is the governing body for the national sportscaster and sportswriter of the year awards, along with each state.

On Monday, the finalists for the each state, including Michigan, were announced.

The sportscaster of the year category presents an interesting scenario.

The finalists are WXYZ-TV sports director Brad Galli, WJBK-TV sports anchor/reporter Jennifer Hammond and ... Mario Impemba.

Impemba's tenure as Detroit Tigers TV announcer came to an unceremonious end when he and his analyst, Rod Allen, had a physical altercation in September in Chicago. The duo, which had worked together for 17 seasons, were first suspended and then eventually let go by Fox Sports Detroit.

More: What really happened between Mario Impemba and Rod Allen

Impemba has been digitally silent since the early September incident. His bio on Twitter reads: "32 years broadcasting professional baseball. What's next?"

The former Tigers announcer won Michigan sportscaster of the year for 2011. The other two finalists have not.

The finalists for Michigan sportswriter of the year are the Free Press' Nick Baumgardner, Anthony Fenech and Mick McCabe, who was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame earlier this year, and the Detroit News' Angelique Chengelis. A Free Press writers has won the award every year since 2010, when McCabe and Michael Rosenberg, now of Sports Illustrated, shared the honor.

State members of the NSMA will vote during the month of December for these awards. The winners will be announced Jan. 14.