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FORD
11-10-2010, 11:47 PM
Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus dies

By Larry Stone

Seattle Times staff reporter

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2010/11/10/2009534009.jpg

Dave Niehaus, the legendary and beloved voice of the Mariners from their inception in 1977 through the final game of the 2010 season, died Wednesday at his home in Bellevue, the team confirmed.

Niehaus suffered a heart attack, according to his family.

Niehaus, who received the Ford Frick Award at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2008, was 75. He leaves behind his wife Marilyn, children Andy, Matt and Greta, and six grandchildren.

"This is truly devastating news," Howard Lincoln, the Mariners CEO, and Chuck Armstrong, Mariners president, said in a release from the team. "Speaking for ourselves, our ownership and the entire Mariners family, our thoughts and prayers are with (wife) Marilyn, their children — Andy, Matt and Greta — and the grandchildren.

"Dave has truly been the heart and soul of this franchise since its inception in 1977. Since calling Diego Segui's first-pitch strike on Opening Night in the Kingdome some 34 years ago, Dave's voice has been the constant with the franchise. He truly was the fans' connection to every game; to wins and losses; to great plays and heartbreaking defeats; to Hall of Famers and journeymen. With the exception of his love for his wife, Marilyn, his children and grandchildren, there was nothing Dave liked more than the game of baseball and to be at the ballpark. He was the voice of spring and summer in the Northwest."

Rick Rizzs, Niehaus' longtime partner was shocked by the news.

"What a loss," Rizzs said. "Holy cow. I feel numb. He meant everything to Mariner baseball. Everything. He was not only the voice of the Mariners, he WAS the Mariners. He was the face of the franchise. When you turned on the radio, everything was right with the world when you heard Dave's voice."

Kevin Cremin, executive producer/engineer for Mariners radio broadcasts, said, "He was just the best at what he did. He was like a brother, or an uncle. I felt related to him. Still do. There will never be another one. He broke the mold. He will be missed, my goodness."

Former Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr. told 710 ESPN that Niehaus "meant everything" to the Mariners.

"Everybody talks about the players who went there and the players who left, but he made the Mariners who they are," Griffey said. "Without him, the guys out there are nothing. Day in and day out he brought the excitement and drove thousands and millions of people to the ballpark to come watch us.

"It's tough because he's like that grandfather to all of us especially Jay, me, Edgar and Dan and so many other Mariners, he was like our grandfather. He would give you a little bit of advice, and he was tough on you when he needed to be. This is a day that I was hoping would never come. It's just a sad day for all of us, not just his family, but for everybody in the great Northwest.

"When I got drafted he came up to me and just looked at me and said: "You're going to be a good one" and he said "go out and have fun." When I got to Seattle I struggled for like the first couple weeks and he said "Where's that smile?" He said something and I started smiling and he said "That's what I want to see, that's why people come to the ballpark, to see you smile." Those are the things that I'll never forget because he was caring and loving. You didn't know if you were the number one guy on the team or the number 25 guy on the team, he treated everybody the same."

Former Mariners outfielder Jay Buhner worked with Niehaus in the booth and called him one of a kind.

"Words can't describe what I am feeling right now," Buhner said. "This is the saddest day of my life. It is like I am losing a Dad, someone that was a father figure to me. ... He described everything with an art and painted a picture you could see in your mind. I've had the honor of working with him as a player and also in the broadcast booth, and there was no one better. He was a consummate pro at everything he did. I am going to miss everything about the guy — going to miss his face, his ugly white shoes and his awful sport coats."

Eric Nadel is a Texas Rangers broadcaster.

"Dave was a sensational announcer who never lost an ounce of his passion for the game," Nadel said. "I loved driving home from our games listening to him do the Mariners games from the West Coast on XM. He was a wonderful friend to me as well, really funny, and always willing to share his great wisdom and experience on the frequent occasions when I asked for his opinion or his help. I feel terrible for Dave's family, which I believe includes everyone whoever considered himself a Mariners fan."

Gov. Chris Gregoire lamented the passing of one of the Northwest's icons.

"Dave Niehaus will be remembered for his passion for all things baseball, high professional standards and gentlemanly conduct," Gregoire said in a statement. "Dave was an institution here starting with the team's first pitch in 1977. With all due respect to the great Alvin Davis, Dave is 'Mr. Mariner.'

"My thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family and friends. I hope they take comfort in knowing how many happy memories he created for hundreds of thousands of fans."

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, a longtime baseball fan, travels to Arizona regularly for spring training.

"He was as much a Mariner icon as any player we've ever had," von Reichbauer said. "He was not just the voice of the Mariners, he was the embodiment of the spirit of the Mariners.

"Whether people were from Federal Way or from Yakima, they could connect with 'My, oh my.' He wasn't just a part of the baseball family, he was a part of the Washington State family.

"I appreciated his friendship and his stories. I love spring training and you would always see Dave in Peoria, working the outfield, working the stands, making that personal connection."

Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin is also a baseball fan.

"He was a great guy," Conlin said. "Somebody I listened to regularly over the years. My kids grew up with his voice. It's a great loss for our community."

FORD
11-10-2010, 11:52 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcA5w0ztMp0