Former Tigers World Series hero Kirk Gibson has Parkinson's Disease

Baseball hall of famer and former Detroit Tigers outfielder Kirk Gibson has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Gibson, who managed the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2010 to 2014, made the announcement Tuesday.

Gibson was supposed to spend the season in the Fox Sports Detroit booth as an analyst, but has been missing since Opening Day.

“I have faced many different obstacles in my life, and have always maintained a strong belief that no matter the circumstances, I could overcome those obstacles,” Gibson said in a statement released by Fox Sports Detroit. “While this diagnosis poses a new kind of challenge for me, I intend to stay true to my beliefs. With the support of my family and friends, I will meet this challenge with the same determination and unwavering intensity that I have displayed in all of my endeavors in life. I look forward to being back at the ballpark as soon as possible."

As MLive notes, Gibson was expected to be in the booth for at least 60 games this season. Rod Allen, Jack Morris and Gibson were set to rotate as analysts and both Gibson and Allen covered Opening Day. FSD said that Gibson will be able to call games when his disease allows.

Gibson is a Michigan native and played for the Tigers from 1979-1987 and 1993-1995. He had stints with the Dodgers, Royals and Pirates in between. As a manager for the D-backs, he won the 2011 NL Manager of the Year award.

Gibson was a major part of the Tigers most recent World Series win in 1984, hitting the clinching home run against the Padres.

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