pat caputo obituary May 7, 2026
Pat Caputo (Patrick Caputo), longtime Metro Detroit sports columnist, radio host, and media personality, died on May 7, 2026, at age 67 after a battle with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
His family announced his passing that day on his social media: “Today May 7th we lost Pat to cancer. Pat was surrounded by his family. Thank you for all your support.”
Career Highlights
- Early life and education: Graduate of Birmingham Groves High School and Michigan State University.
- Journalism career: Began in the early 1980s. Worked at The Oakland Press (1983–2020, 37 years), covering high school sports, the Detroit Tigers (1986–1998), Lions, and later as a prominent sports columnist.
- Broadcasting: Longtime contributor/host at 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) since the early 2000s; also appeared on WJBK-TV (FOX 2 Detroit).
- Known as “The Book” for his encyclopedic sports knowledge, blunt opinions, and passionate Detroit sports commentary. He covered major events like World Series, Super Bowls, and Stanley Cups, and interacted with figures such as Sparky Anderson, Bo Schembechler, and Jim Leyland.
Illness and Legacy
Caputo publicly shared his Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis in early January 2026. He expressed deep gratitude for the support from fans, colleagues, and the community in the following months.
His family (via nephew and godson Rob Caputo) shared a detailed personal tribute highlighting his journey—from struggling to type and covering unglamorous high school games to becoming a respected voice in Detroit sports media. Pat emphasized hard work, doing one’s very best daily, gratitude for his opportunities, and the importance of family. He viewed his career as a stroke of luck and wanted to inspire others to give their all.
Tributes poured in from colleagues (e.g., Dan Miller, Bob Wojnowski), the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, and fans, who remembered him as authentic, knowledgeable, gruff yet caring, and a true original.
