Rod Allen to Tigers fans: 'I see you Detroit! Thank you for everything'

On Wednesday, we heard from former Detroit Tigers play-by-play television announcer Mario Impemba.

On Friday, we finally heard from his longtime partner, Rod Allen.

The former major leaguer who spent the last 16 seasons working with Impemba as the voices of the Tigers posted a thank-you letter of sorts on social media, just two days after Impemba broke his silence after the pair's physical altercation and subsequent dismissal from Fox Sports Detroit.

"It has been an honor and a privilege of my life, first as a player on the '84 Championship Team and, for the last 16 years in the broadcast booth, to serve you. Detroit Tigers fans are literally all over the world and, in my judgement, represent the most knowledgeable fan base of any franchise, in any sport, any where," Allen wrote.

On Sept. 6 in Chicago, the pair's rocky relationship came to a head thanks to a cancelled interview and a comfortable chair in the broadcast booth. The altercation got physical between the two as their toxic relationship bubbled over, and FSD decided to first send both men home, then suspend them for the rest of the season.

"While the circumstances ending my tenure in our city are most unfortunate, you should know all early media accounts were not accurate. Please know I take pride in being an honorable person and the professional approach I have taken to the job that I did for you each day," Allen wrote.

Early reports had Allen applying a "choke hold" onto Impemba on that early September day, but Allen's agent, Tom Shaer, told the Free Press that was not accurate.

Once FSD sent both the announcers home from Chicago, Allen posted a day later on Twitter: "I’ve always conducted myself as an honorable professional and I always will. Because this is a personnel matter. I can’t comment right now." 

In October, the Free Press learned that neither announcer would return for the 2019 season.

There has been no indication as to who will replace Impemba and Allen.

"I will forever remember the hundreds of thousands of extraordinary kind comments you gave me throughout the years and (especially the last 3 months)," Allen wrote.

On Thursday, Fox Sports Detroit did release a statement that read: “Rod and Mario’s unique and enthusiastic approach to Tigers’ broadcasts have created many lasting memories for Tigers’ fans,” said Fox Sports Detroit senior vice president/general manager Greg Hammaren. “We have appreciated their commitment to baseball in Detroit and wish them all the best in the future.”

Allen continued: "With their announcement now made, I thank Fox Sports Detroit and the entire Detroit Tigers organization and, the Ilitch family for providing me the platform I've had for the last 16 seasons. You have my eternal gratitude. Above all, I thank you, the fans. My family and I appreciate you very much!

"I See You Detroit!... Thank you for everything!"

Free Press sports writers Anthony Fenech and Dana Sulonen contributed to this report.

More:What really happened between Mario and Rod