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Jay Allen, who landed dream job as Tigers' P.A. announcer, dies of cancer at 60

Detroit — Jay Allen, whose calm voice welcomed hundreds of thousands of Tigers fans to Comerica Park during the 2019 season as the ballclub's public-address announcer, has died after a short battle with bile-duct cancer, his family announced Friday.

Allen was 60.

Allen got the coveted P.A. job prior to last season, after working a variety of sporting events for several years in Grand Rapids. He replaced long-time P.A. man Bobb Vergiels, who retired after 2018.

The Tigers' gig was Allen's dream job.