Jim Hunter, who was removed from the Orioles’ broadcast team before the start of the 2020 season, won’t be returning to the team in 2021, he announced in a tweet on Friday.
Hunter, whose association with the team began in 1997 and served as a game broadcaster on radio and television and a pregame and postgame host, is parting ways with the team.
“I was informed this week by @Orioles my contract will not be renewed for 2021 ending my career w/the ball club,” he tweeted. “It’s disappointing to have my tenure come to an end especially since it was not my decision. For 24 years I gave my heart & soul to the broadcasts & now it’s over.”
In a subsequent tweet, Hunter thanked fellow broadcasters Jim Palmer, Ben McDonald, Joe Angel, Mike Bordick and Rick Dempsey.
“And I especially want to thank the loyal fans. It was an honor to bring @Orioles baseball to you. Good luck [to] the team moving ahead and May God Bless us all !!”
Hunter declined a request for further comment. The Orioles declined comment on Hunter’s departure from the team and said they would be announcing their 2021 broadcast team soon.
Follow Rich Dubroff on Twitter @RichDubroffMLB