Dave Niehaus, who did the radio play-by-play of every game ever played by the Seattle Mariners, has died at age 75. He suffered a heart attack.
“This is truly devastating news,” said Seattle Mariners chairman Howard Lincoln.
“Speaking for ourselves, our ownership and the entire Mariners family, our thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn, their children, Andy, Matt and Greta, and the grandchildren,” said Chuck Armstrong, Seattle Mariners President and COO. “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.”
Niehaus was hired away from the broadcast team of the California Angels to become the voice of the Mariners when the expansion team joined Major League Baseball in 1977. He broadcast every game for the team through the final game of the 2010 season October 3rd at Safeco Field.
