Detroit and the broader sports world lost one of its most enduring voices on September 27, when longtime broadcaster Ray Lane died at age 95 at his home in Michigan. Over six decades, Lane became synonymous with Detroit’s major league teams–the Tigers, the Red Wings, and beyond–forging a connection with generations of fans.
Born in Detroit in 1930, Lane spent nearly all his professional life in Michigan, broadcasting baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. His versatility and longevity made him more than a local media figure; he was a part of the fabric of Detroit sports identity.
A career built across sports, radio to television
Lane started his broadcasting journey in the 1950s and steadily built a résumé that sprawled across leagues and formats. He partnered with Ernie Harwell on Detroit Tigers radio broadcasts from 1967 to 1972, and later worked on the team’s television broadcasts between 1999 and 2003.
His reach extended beyond baseball. Lane called games for the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, and also worked in college sports (Michigan State, University of Michigan, University of Detroit) as well as for the Cincinnati Reds. He also served as sports director at television outlets WJBK and WKBD in Detroit. That breadth allowed him to navigate from radio to TV, local to national, and maintain relevance as media evolved.
Impact, honors, and the legacy he leaves behind
Lane’s contributions did not go unnoticed. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and twice honored as Michigan Sportscaster of the Year. He also received lifetime awards like the Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting and the Ernie Harwell Lifetime Contribution Award.
Lane’s career was marked not just by duration, but by dignity and consistency. He was viewed as a broadcaster’s broadcaster–someone who could handle the pressure, adapt across sports, and always maintain professionalism. His footprint is felt not just in tapes and archives, but in how Detroit sports media operate today.
Personal life and what fans remember
Off air, Lane was a Detroit native through and through. He met his wife, Carolyn, in high school; they were married for 50 years until her passing in 2004. He is survived by three children–Greg, Deanne, and Jeff–along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.