Dave Niehaus, who broadcast the first pitch in Mariners' history in 1977 and continued through the last game of the 2010, has died. He was 75.
Dave Niehaus, Iconic Mariners Broadcaster, Dead At 75
The Mariners released a statement from executives, including Chuck Armstrong, the club’s president:
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 inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. His most famous call might have been the game-winning hit from Edgar Martinez in the 1995 American League Division Series:
Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball, they would love a base hit into the gap and they could win it with Junior’s speed. The stretch ... and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martinez, swung on and LINED DOWN THE LEFT-FIELD LINE FOR A BASE HIT! HERE COMES JOEY, HERE IS JUNIOR TO THIRD BASE, THEY’RE GOING TO WAVE HIM IN! THE THROW TO THE PLATE WILL BE ... LATE! THE MARINERS ARE GOING TO PLAY FOR THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! I DON’T BELIEVE IT! IT JUST CONTINUES! MY OH MY!
The Seattle Times’ Mariner blog has a post with the audio of that call and Segui’s first pitch here.
Stay tuned to this stream and Lookout Landing, our Mariners blog, for more on Niehaus’ passing and the reaction to it.
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