Rizzs is way better than most team’s announcers, but he’s no Dave Niehaus, not even close. Not having Dave to listen to is going to be a huge blow next year. The best day of the year for me is always the first game broadcast in spring training where Dave Niehaus is back on the radio, welcoming us to a new season…
Go ahead and take away our iconic broadcaster, 2010. Like we haven’t suffered enough this year. Let the last thing Mariner team he sees be one of the worst ever.
I’m so, so sorry Neihaus. You deserved a better ending. May you rest in peace.
Your voice will be forever remembered as the true voice of the Seattle Mariners. Thanks for all the memories, listening to Mariners games will never be the same.
I am some kind of combination of saddened, shocked and angered.
One of the worst season in Mariners history culminates in the death of an absolute legend who I’ve enjoyed listening to for so many years. This well and truly sucks.
All this talk lately about trying to raise my boys to be men,
and here I am almost crying at my desk…. The man WAS baseball in Seattle to me. No matter how bad the team was, I knew every spring I would hear his voice, and it would bring a smile to my face.
Sorry we never got you that ring Dave, but thank you for sticking with us. And I mean that with all my heart and soul.
There are levels of tragedy. This isn’t genocide, nor the enslavement of a people. But personal tragedy will always impact those involved far more than statistics. To put it in perspective, we lost someone we all truly cared about from afar. I heard his voice more than my own parent’s growing up. RIP.
Wow I can't believe this, i'm in shock please tell me i'm dreaming,
Dave, you were the one constant in my life that made everything right in my life while the mariners sucked. The homeruns, the close plays at the plate, the big outs they were all cherished so much more when you were in the booth. You made me believe in the unseeable and that i could dream big. You immortalized so much for so many people about this team, and wow I can’t believe your gone. You will live forever in our hearts and mind.
I'm overseas, just woke up, saw this news, and my day is ruined.
Dave Niehaus is one of the primary reasons I fell in love with Mariners baseball as a kid. What a shame he never got to announce a World Series for the Mariners. Rest in Peace, Mr. Niehaus. You were one of the best.
But a hardy fuck you to the Mariners for never being able to give Niehaus what he so rightfully deserved. I think the fact that Niehaus was never able to call a WS game for this team is the biggest reason his death feels so premature. I’m sure Niehaus died with fond memories of the Mariners in mind, but we were never able to give him that one shinning, spectacular moment. What absolute horseshit.
Ugh. I’m sorry for taking you for granted, Dave. I thought you’d always be there.
about how much bavasi screwed things up and that if i ever saw him in person i wouldn’t hesitate to punch him in the face. Losing Dave today just makes me even more angry with bavasi.
Thank you for caring about a crappy team that we gave up on. Thank you for everything and for keeping me with this team when I’m in the car or when I didn’t have cable or when I’m just tired of the M’s. You deserved to announce a World Series. Out, out brief candle indeed… It seems like forever yet no time at all that you’ve been covering the M’s.
After all these years, I still remember my favorite story of his: Way back in the first couple of years of the M’s existence, he and his broadcast partner Ken Wilson stopped by someone’s office for some reason or another. The receptionist called her boss and announced “Dave Newsome and Ken Williams are here to see you.”
They both just kept cracking up again and again for the rest of the game.
I always dreamed this fucking team would give him a world series. Not for me for the man who has sat through all their crap over the years. I always had hoped i’d get to meet him and tell him how he has instilled a love of baseball in me and how when i watch baseball i try to observe it how he would tell it. I’m crushed, crying and don’t care who knows it.
I grew up going to games. We had 20 game season ticket plans all throughout my childhood at the Kingdome
when we’d lose 100 games a year. We’d get up and change seats whenever we wanted, kept score, caught home runs, foul balls, talked to players, etc. Throughout all the shitty seasons, my dad and I would always sit in our seats while listening to his headphones and listening to Niehaus doing play by play. A huge part of my childhood is gone today. For an old man that I’ve never met before, I’m going to miss the hell out of him. RIP Dave
Bill King died unexpectedly a few years ago. Like Dave, he probably wasn’t quite on top of his game in the last few years of his career, and it was a bit hard to explain to the younger fans who hadn’t heard him at his best what the loss meant to us, but it was tough for those of us who had listened to Bill over his 25 years with the A’s.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Dave’s storytelling when I’ve caught an M’s game on MLB.com or on XM, and I’ll miss the voice of Seattle baseball in 2011.
He deserved to see a World Series with the Mariners. Damn it… I don’t care as much that the M’s have never been, but I wanted him to see it as much as I want myself to see it.
Today, it leaves me feeling sad and empty. Dave deserved better than the occasional decent season the M’s were able to deliver, but he was here with us the whole time. He was ours and I’m quite certain he’ll leave a void that will never fully be filled.
Dave gave me so much and I never was able to give him a single thing back other than a few quick thank yous while at work.
Let me use this as a chance to say thank you for changing my life for the better forever. You are the grandfather that I have been missing since moving out to Seattle. There is no way that I am as big of a sports fan right now if it wasn’t for you. You created who I am today. Thank you Dave. Thank you a million times over and over. Thank you. You the best that has ever lived.
Reading this on the front page hit me like a kick to the stomach.
This is devastating.
I only hope that he realized how much he meant to all of us.
Thanks Dave, God speed.
I’ve been thinking a lot (A LOT) this year about Dave Niehaus and when his retirement would come. And how that retirement speech would turn me into a big, blubbery baby. Now, I’m just stunned and here we sit without the man that made Mariner baseball enjoyable on any level night after night. His voice wasn’t a voice I equate to baseball announcing, like Joe Buck or Tim McCarver, it was a voice I equated to a father or grandfather. And now we won’t have that retirement speech, he’s just… gone. Sigh.
I just turned on the radio to hear Calabro talking about it— I assume it was heart, as he had problems for a few years. Apparently Shannon and Matt are going to try to do something for him on 710 at 6. They are playing highlights as I type
This is one of the saddest things I have experienced.
It hasn’t hit me yet. All I can think about is me as a little kid, curled up in my dad’s lap and listening to this man explain what was going on at the Kingdome.
I’ve been in LA now for 6 years and haven’t been able to hear him. I was planning on moving back and couldn’t wait to listen to the M’s on th radio.
Maybe I’ll put some effort into getting all elegiac over it in the coming week or so, though I’m sure Attractive Nuiscance will beat me to the punch. It’s one of those things where what he did was miraculous, but not on a grand scale, but on a local level. And is that necessarily worse? I don’t know. I don’t know how to explain to the man now that even though he never reached that dreamt-of goal, his efforts were not in vain for it.
This is shocking, unexpected, and thoroughly shitty. He was a class act that completely transcended the quality of the teams that he covered, that made even awful baseball fun to watch – or, at least, to listen to.
Best wishes to his friends and family. We will miss you, Dave – Mariners baseball will feel somehow hollow without you.
Through all the mountains of shit and the rare gleaming awesome that was 1995-2003, he was there to delight us with his voice and stories and make us all feel like kids. Only death took him away from that.
Players come and go, but Niehaus was the common thread from when the franchise was born until now.
And unlike a player, he was on our side of the experience – talking to us, explaining the game to us. I have no difficulty saying that Niehaus was my favorite Mariner ever.
Jay Buhner just put out a statement, saying: “Words can’t describe what I am feeling right now. 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 was the voice of Northwest Baseball and the heart of the Mariners organization. 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. He was one-of-a-kind.”
The inaugural game at Safeco. The M’s made a nice charade of keeping who would throw the first pitch a “secret” but it could not have been anyone else. When Dave’s name was announced and he walked out to the mound, the first true roar of the new park rose up and must have hit him right in the face. He stood there as the sound rose and looked down, overcome for a moment and genuinely moved as the whole place hooted with joy for the man. Then he threw the pitch over Tom Foley’s head, but no matter. The team had been saved and the beautiful outdoor stadium was reality. It was his victory that he shared with all of us.
And I’ll always have the voice that made summer chores and long drives tolerable. Dave Niehaus made the really bad baseball we had in Seattle mean something. He made people care when there was no rational reason to. He painted a picture that was so much bigger than the game that was actually happening on that fake grass under a grey ceiling.
Calabro with a gravel-voice imitation of Dave explaining what he did on those All Star break 3-day holidays he took every year; “what do you do Dave, do you go back to Hawaii?” “Nah, I sit on the porch, maybe grill a steak and listen to the ballgame”
which reminded Pitman that Felix had a no-no going during one of Dave’s off-days and about the fifth, Kevin Cremin’s blackberry went off, and it was Dave … “If it gets to the 7th, I’m coming in”
Every year I listen to the radio call of the final out of the WS
And I think to myself “I can’t even imagine what it will be like to hear Dave make that call, after all the years of waiting, after all the close calls, lost seasons, and unrealized potential.”
The Mariners may well win a World Series one day. I certainly hope they do. It won’t be the same without Dave to make that final call.
There are so many memories where he is the soundtrack — not just baseball-related memories, either. If it was spring or summer, his voice was in the background, if not front and center.
You were the first person to bring baseball into my life. You showed me what a beautiful game this is. You taught me the importance if keeping the ball down in the zone and that it’s okay to get on base with a walk.
You taught me that sometimes it’s okay to stay up late for the chance to hear and see something amazing on the field.
You taught me that there is an inherent beauty in words and that a well crafted phrase or thought can evoke the purest of emotions.
You taught me that, even when things have gone south, there’s still joy to be found in just about anything in life.
I’ve never lost anyone I can describe as close, but Dave, you were like family to me and countless other fans of baseball all across this wonderful region. Perhaps your final lesson to me will help me deal with loss. I’ve never felt this broken up, hurt, and utterly confounded by death before.
I don’t quite know what to do right now beyond crying at my desk. I hope beyond all hope that I can move past that. Truthfully, Dave, I’m not sure if I will be able to move on. I don’t know if I’ll ever hear your name or recordings of your voice again and feel anything other than the sadness I’m feeling now. I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to watch another game of baseball again, but I’m going to try. More than anything, you taught me how wonderful this game of baseball is. You gave me a lot of wonderful memories and lessons to remember you by.
I met Dave outside the Kingdome after an extra inning win in 1993.
He was clearly drunk and ready to go home but he stopped and chatted about how exciting the game was with three complete strangers for t least five minutes. I have always cherished that memory because listening to him on the radio as a teenager was my solace.
FUCK!
I am so glad you went into the Hall of Fame while alive Dave.
I listened to it a few times over and over again. At some point I stopped listening to the words and just let the quality of Dave’s voice exist in the background of my apartment…. just like I did every summer evening for most of my life. It was his rambling storytelling that I enjoyed more than his celebrated big calls.
He deserved to be rewarded for his loyalty so much. He seemed so happy when he finally got put into the Hall Of Fame. Yet I still cant help but feel he deserved better.
Growing up in Maryland, I didnt get to grow up with him, but I certainly knew of him…especially in 1995. In the age of the internet I have gotten attached to him. If he means so much to me the last few years, I cant imagine how much he means to those in Seattle growing up with him.
1995 changed me completely. It turned me into an athlete, it created a career, it shaped my friends and family, it made me fall in love with Seattle. Dave was a part of that, and thus a part of me.
Thanks Dave, for everything. You will never know me, nor will you ever know how important you were to a 10 year old kid once upon a time. RIP.
I'm so grateful right now to have LL to turn to, as I'm guessing many other out-of-staters also are.
Sitting here in my apartment in Milwaukee, no one around me gives a shit. And I realize they have no reason to, but all I want right now is to commiserate.
Junior: "One of the greatest men I've ever met and had the privilege of knowing. He is Mariner baseball. The players...can't hold a candle to that man."
That was the year MLB released gameday audio, and we bought the package as soon as we arrived in Wisconsin. Each year for the last 9 years, I have listened to 162 games while doing homework, applying for college, studying for finals, getting ready for bed, and looking for jobs. In 2008, I spent 2 weeks in China, and I listened to games in the morning at the internet cafe while checking my email. When I missed a game because I absolutely had to, I made it up the next day. I was 13 when we left; I’m 22 now, and I have spent more hours listening to Dave’s voice than anyone else’s. He absolutely was home to me, and still is.
Sorry for the LLLJ, but maybe today is an exception.
I’m 18 years old, and I’ve only been graced by your brilliant broadcasting for 5 years.
I feel like you were my grandpa. I feel like you were everyone’s grandpa. I liked when you told me to drink milk during radio commercial breaks. My favorite time of day was when you called the ninth inning and JJ was pitching. I never met you, but you visited me and my dad nightly. I remember when you sometimes would screw up the call, but I didn’t care because you were awesome.
All things have to go. I’ll miss your gravely voice and your kindness and how you loved your job even when we were down 10-0 to the Angels. I’ll miss how you
I hope there’s baseball to broadcast wherever you are now.
I missed some of his famous calls, but just the sound of his voice… the “Mawiners baseball!” quirk—someone else has to have noticed that—all of it. So sad. I’m so heartbroken right now.
"The fans are hoping to catch a little bit of old-time religion right here, baby, with Junior stepping up to the plate. Here comes the stretch and the pitch to Junior is on the way. Swing and a fly ball hit to deep right-center field! That baby is going to beeeeeeeee — FLY AWAY! THE OLD TIME RELIGION LIVES! JUNIOR DOES IT! A two-run home run and we are tied at 3-3. My oh my! Magic is back at least for a night."
Everybody talks about The Double call and the 1995 AL West title call and the RJ no no call, but when I think of
Dave Neihaus, the first thing that comes to mind was the game in 1997 when Junior hit his 54th and 55th home runs. Specifcally the 55th. I remember the game being on tv in the living room and I remember laying on the couch with my grandpa watching the game. Griffey had already homered once that day and that later this happen(Paraphrasing)
“Here comes Ludwick’s pitch to the plate and SWUNG ON AND BELTED DEEP TO RIGHT FIELD AND IT WILL FLY FLY AWAY! KEN GRIFFEY JUNIOR HAS HIT DOUBLE NICKLE! FIFTY FIVE HOME RUNS FOR KEN GRIFFEY JUNIOR! MY OH MY!”
We love you Dave and we will never forget you. I hope one day, when we finally do win a Championship, that it brings a smile to your heart, whereever you are.
One of my favorite Niehaus moments was his call of Edgar's homer the day after he announced he'd retire.
“Will you reconsider Edgar!” It was just so pure and genuine and I don’t think there was a single Mariner fan that wasn’t thinking the same thing as Edgar hit that homer.
Listening to his call for this game during the 1995 season, when the Mariners came back to beat the A’s on a grand slam by Alex Diaz. I was jumping up and down.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh. This is the floor.
Living away from Seattle for the last few years I rarely got a chance to listen or watch Mariner games. When I did get a chance unless Dave was calling it, the game just didn’t feel right and I cold lose interest pretty quick (especially this season). However, when Dave was calling it, nothing could tear me away.
He was an instant security blanket. Listening to Dave brought back memories not just of better days with the Mariners, but of my childhood, growing up, skipping class to watch the one game playoff in the basement of my residence hall and of course the 95 ALDS. His voice took me back to playing catch in the backyard and going games in the Kingdome with my Dad or collecting all the Alvin Davis cards I could get my hands on.
I can’t quit the Mariners, no matter how many times I say I will. Even though I can’t quit them, I’m not sure when I’ll be willing to tune into a Mariner game again knowing I won’t be able to listen to his voice while letting memories wash over me. That link is gone and it’s not coming back.
And this is like losing that rare father-in-law that you admired and absolutely adored. Why am I so close to tears right now? Everyone who’s drinking tonight, toast the man, then pour one for him.
Fuck my run tomorrow, I’m opening another. I have KIRO streaming on the laptop and memories hitting me from all angles….sleep isn’t happening right now.
I just heard the story that Kim, a caller, told on 710.
I’ll paraphrase for people who didn’t hear it.
20-odd years ago, Kim and her family adopted a cocaine-addicted toddler named Jose who couldn’t walk or speak. The first thing that really gave him a spark for life was hearing Dave Neihaus calling Mariner games on TV. So since the age of three, he would watch every Mariners game and laugh and chuckle whenever Dave flipped out over a great play or said something funny. As he got older, every time Jose’s teachers would ask him what he wanted to do when he grew up, he would say “baseball” in sign language. Well, a few years ago, the Mariners hired Jose as an usher and promotional material distributor at Safeco Field, and Jose and his family took taken countless elevator rides with Dave Neihaus and he was always the kindest man you could ever wish to meet. So now Jose, a crack-baby who almost everyone had given up on except his family, is a happy adult and successful Mariners employee. His family credits Dave Neihaus as the most important influence in his life.
This is half-remembering, half-self-imposed-gut-punching-torture.
Niehaus was asked if anything in his long life in baseball compares to what will happen to him this weekend in Cooperstown. It didn’t take him long to answer.
"In 1995, when the team won that one-game playoff with the Angels to get into the postseason for the first time," he said. "The Kingdome was packed and everyone was delirious. At one point, the crowd turned to behind home plate where our broadcast booth was and cheered."
Niehaus looks into the distance, remembering it.
"I didn’t know I meant that much to them," he said of the Mariners fans. "Until this weekend, that has been the thrill of my life."
Had the pleasure of listening to him call a few games while I’ve been here. I can’t imagine what it’d be like to have the voice of the franchise taken so suddenly. Here’s hoping that you guys have more great memories to look forward to from whoever takes his chair.
I just want to hear the guy talk. I just want one more “Loooooooooooooooow and outside.” There are “My Oh My”s all over youtube, but the normal stuff isn’t around.
I'm so upset that I'm on the other side of the world right now.
I’m incredibly glad for 710 streaming, but finding out about this when I have 2 weeks left abroad is just a sucker punch. Just takes the wind out of my sails. I was hoping to finally go to spring training next year with my dad…just won’t be the same now. Seattle and Mariners fans everywhere will miss you, Dave. Thank you for filling 20 years of my life with excitement.
The flowers have been left at Home Plate entrance.
Unfortunately there were swarms of news media there, pouncing on everyone leaving flowers or candles (our bouquet was the third laid down). That sucked. But as soon as I can find my camera > computer cord, I will post the photo. The card simply said “Thank you, Dave. You were the best. Lookout Landing.”
I have many fond memories of staying at my grandparents’ house during the summer. My grandfather is a huge Mariners fan; he’s a close second after my father for the primary influence on my baseball fanhood. He’d turn on the TV and we would watch the game on mute while listening to Niehaus announce it over the radio.
Seriously though, my brain is having trouble rapping its head around this one for some reason. Niehaus is always there, every year since I became a baseball fan so many years ago. Damn you Mariners for never putting out a World Series team during Niehaus’ life. Niehaus announcing the world series would have been unbelievable.
Goodbye Dave. Thanks for being all of our constant baseball companion day in and day out for all these years.
His voice was the equivalent of a pipe and slippers
Grab your pipe, put on your slippers and settle in for the evening. I’m not currently able to wrap my head around the fact that I’ll never get to do that again.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West.
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
This is a day I knew would come, but never wanted it to. Summers and Mariners baseball will never be the same. I never thought I would be this upset about someone’s death who I didn’t know personally, but in a way I felt like I did. Hearing Dave’s familiar voice on the radio every night when I was a kid was like a grandfather telling me a story to fall asleep to. As I grew older, I was able to stay up and hear the stories which had a way of making bad baseball enjoyable. He is a legend and will truly be missed. Thanks for making my childhood, adulthood, summers, and Mariners baseball something that could always bring a smile to my face no matter the day. R.I.P.
I found out from a friend at 6:30. I turned on the radio just as Dave’s Game 5 call was being played and sobbed as I drove home.
If any one man should be associated with the Seattle Mariners, it is Dave Niehaus. He was, is, and always will be the face of this franchise to me. Thank you for many wonderful years, Dave. May you rest in peace.
I can’t imagine any would ever top this, unless the team plane someday goes down in flames killing all aboard or something. Even then, as callous as it might sound, players can be replaced. Dave Niehaus is ireplacable.
I know it’s even more fitting now, but perhaps it should be replaced with a smiling Niehaus. Or better yet, Niehaus in one of his hilariously bad spring training outfits. At least for the offseason, it seems fitting. :-)
Because tomorrow’s a day off, I’m now thinking of visiting Salumi for lunch, then stopping by Uwajimaya for flowers and carrying them down to Safeco to pay my respects. If anyone else would like to join me around 11ish, it would be nice to do this with a couple LLers.
I'd love to do something with you guys late afternoon.
Put faces to the people I’ve shared so many ups and downs with. I’m not necessarily well known around here, but I post pretty often. I wish I could be there that early.
Couldn't bring myself to do that, not with the shape the M's are in.
As an institution, sure. But uniforms represent the field, and man, Niehaus deserved better. I wonder how Bavasi feels right now. With what he inherited, and the money at his disposal, could we have won a championship? I mean that rhetorically, but, damn.
It was also my very first game ever. 1994, I believe. My dad took me and we sat way up in the seats in the Kingdome right field side. The field was quite small to me and my dad handed me a pair of binoculars. And headphones attached to a radio. He handed it to me and Dave’s voice filled my ears. We were playing the Twins. That was the moment when Dave entered my life. We eventually won the game 2-1 when someone (forgot who) pinch-ran for… Joey Cora maybe and ended up stealing home in the bottom of the ninth. I remember Dave going nuts. Ever since then I was a fan. I tuned in to every game I could. All through highschool, college. We didn’t have a tv in our house so it was all Dave.
Again, thank you, especially for those summers when I could just sit back and listen.
And referring to Jeff’s post up on home page, I also can recall exactly how he sounded. Interestingly the first sound bites in my mind eeren’t iconic like ‘95 or RJ’s no-no. The first phrase that popped into my head was “The pitch. Loww and outside.” And also “Swung on and that ball is deep. Fill in name to the wall, looking up, goodbye baseball!”
I blame my age for the bad memories and lapse of time :o It was Rich. Busting down that line, a suicide squeeze huh? I just remember him sliding home (must have thought he was stealing, I didn’t know anything about baseball then) and fireworks going off.
It's funny... the really iconic moments aren't the ones I think of either. It's the mundane, August evening, mediocre baseball calls that I remember most.
Maybe it’s because Dave filled those evenings with contentment and entertainment, whereas the exciting moments were already…well… exciting and memorable.
RIP
I can’t believe this.
ScottBrowne - November 10, 2010
Thanks for everything, Dave.
RIP
Graham MacAree - November 10, 2010
R.I.P.
SeaKoala - November 10, 2010
Ugh.
Scruffy Lefty - November 10, 2010
Your signature is horrible right now.
themoose - November 10, 2010
Well shit.
I guess I’m pretty glad I made it to his HoF induction ceremony at Safeco. Wow.
It absolutely kills me that the team was unable to ever win a championship for him, too.
katal - November 10, 2010
I kind of feel like running to the mall to buy the Mariners' Best Of DVD, so I can watch as a means to honor him.
katal - November 10, 2010
get the 20th anniversary CD
vintage Dave.
spencer peaty - November 10, 2010
That's what I'm listening to as I fall asleep tonight
Robert Lintott - November 10, 2010
And what really upsets me is that my last memories of him are of him expressing his dismay at how awful the 2010 Mariners team was.
katal - November 10, 2010
Now I know how Cub fans felt when Harry Caray passed away.
katal - November 10, 2010
That's a really good point.
I’ve never lost an announcer I cared about so much before. And to lose him so unexpectedly… I understand now, but I wish I didn’t.
Torrid - November 10, 2010
I only got to hear him a couple seasons since I moved here,
but I could tell right away Niehaus was a classic baseball announcer.
GarlicFryCubFan - November 10, 2010
Until now I always believed that our 2001 season was no match to a World Series.
But here I am thinking that, while the team never won a ring, I’m really glad that Dave got to call, and be a part of, the 2001 season.
katal - November 10, 2010
Oh god. Why?
He never saw them win it all.
mgldan - November 10, 2010
RIP.
What a loss.
Joe Metro - November 10, 2010
Dave :(
Rest in peace
ManifestDestiny - November 10, 2010
I'm a wreck.
Rest in peace, Dave. It will be really weird without you.
Teej - November 10, 2010
That is exactly how i feel. I don't know exactly what it is i'm feeling but it sucks.
Dave is probably one of the reasons I’ve stayed a M’s fan all these years.
Edgar for Pres - November 10, 2010
Dave, thanks for the memories
What a bummer.
lemonverbena - November 10, 2010
I am currently incapable of functioning at all.
RIP Dave. I cannot begin to describe how much I will miss him.
Aaron Campeau - November 10, 2010
I can't stop gaping. I think I'm going home for the day.
mgldan - November 10, 2010
Worst offseason ever.
Bearskin Rugburn - November 10, 2010
I mean, I already know I will not enjoy watching the Mariners as much next season
Bearskin Rugburn - November 10, 2010
I'm going to miss you old timer
Bearskin Rugburn - November 10, 2010
Exactly
Rizzs is way better than most team’s announcers, but he’s no Dave Niehaus, not even close. Not having Dave to listen to is going to be a huge blow next year. The best day of the year for me is always the first game broadcast in spring training where Dave Niehaus is back on the radio, welcoming us to a new season…
This sucks.
TIFO - November 10, 2010
Oh my God.
My dad just texted me this and my heart skipped a beat. Incredibly sad news.
Torrid - November 10, 2010
This has just brought me to a standstill.
I don’t know what do right now.
Torrid - November 10, 2010
Whoa what? Could I have a link to the news, please?
JLC - November 10, 2010
There will be plenty of links.
ThundaPC - November 10, 2010
Okay, just heard it on the local news
I’m absolutely floored
JLC - November 10, 2010
Thank you for so so much, Dave.
I’m shaking, I apparently can’t speak and I can barely type. Just devastating. Sincere condolences to his friends and family.
drblacknwhite - November 10, 2010
Yes, why not.
Go ahead and take away our iconic broadcaster, 2010. Like we haven’t suffered enough this year. Let the last thing Mariner team he sees be one of the worst ever.
I’m so, so sorry Neihaus. You deserved a better ending. May you rest in peace.
ThundaPC - November 10, 2010
2010 is officially the worst baseball year in Mariners history
Fuck you 2010. Fuck you very much.
TIFO - November 10, 2010
Wow. So terrible.
he deserved so much better than the terrible teams that the Mariners gave him.
RIP, Dave.
David Piper - November 10, 2010
RIP
One of the best ever.
barabuski - November 10, 2010
RIP. There goes my childhood...
Ence - November 10, 2010
Thanks for all the great memories, Dave
You were the best, right up to the last call.
short - November 10, 2010
Fuuuuuck
RIP
Also, now I feel like a total dick about this.
doublemazaa - November 10, 2010
Damn
Just turned on the news and they opened with this news.
RIP Dave, You made at times mediocre mariners baseball something incredible to listen to.
wadswerth - November 10, 2010
RIP
Your voice will be forever remembered as the true voice of the Seattle Mariners. Thanks for all the memories, listening to Mariners games will never be the same.
Zwakamatsu - November 10, 2010
NO
NO. No.
marc w - November 10, 2010
Well, shit.
This is so sad.
sammy - November 10, 2010
Well, shit.
lailaihei - November 10, 2010
I am some kind of combination of saddened, shocked and angered.
One of the worst season in Mariners history culminates in the death of an absolute legend who I’ve enjoyed listening to for so many years. This well and truly sucks.
JLC - November 10, 2010
The M's should have won a ring while Dave was still here
I have this irrational anger at the organization for failing him, and us.
J.L. White - November 10, 2010
I'm feeling this also.
TrustBaseball - November 10, 2010
No.no no no no no no no no no no no no
Goose - November 10, 2010
signature check.
The Manchild - November 10, 2010
All this talk lately about trying to raise my boys to be men,
and here I am almost crying at my desk…. The man WAS baseball in Seattle to me. No matter how bad the team was, I knew every spring I would hear his voice, and it would bring a smile to my face.
Sorry we never got you that ring Dave, but thank you for sticking with us. And I mean that with all my heart and soul.
Thingray - November 10, 2010
I'm with you man,
when we finally do get our ring it will be for Dave. I honestly feel like crying.
Zwakamatsu - November 10, 2010
I am crying....
Thingray - November 10, 2010
I hope they have Grand Salami's in heaven.
Thingray - November 10, 2010
I think some rye bread and some mustard is the only thing that can cheer me up right now.
Zwakamatsu - November 10, 2010
Well, shit. Shit!
The Manchild - November 10, 2010
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Ah, holy crap.
nathaniel dawson - November 10, 2010
Oh man :(
OlSalty - November 10, 2010
R.I.P.
SeaKoala - November 10, 2010
Something like this photo should replace the Sexson photo
at least for a little while.
TIFO - November 10, 2010
Someone mentioned that just now.
In full agreement.
THolt - November 10, 2010
2010 is officially the worst year ever for the Ms
I can not believe this . . .I’ll miss you Dave
wetzelcoal - November 10, 2010
Yeah.
I don’t mean this to sound flippant, but this is a hundred times worse than the Tuba Man in 2008.
katal - November 10, 2010
Yep
Fuck you 2010. And Fuck you 2010 Mariners for making that festering turd of a season the great Dave Niehaus’ last.
TIFO - November 10, 2010
This is a tragedy.
There are levels of tragedy. This isn’t genocide, nor the enslavement of a people. But personal tragedy will always impact those involved far more than statistics. To put it in perspective, we lost someone we all truly cared about from afar. I heard his voice more than my own parent’s growing up. RIP.
THolt - November 10, 2010
No fucking way.
We lost a legend today.
Happybelly - November 10, 2010
This cannot be real.
No fuck that. Unacceptable.
Goose - November 10, 2010
At first I thought it was the worst joke ever.
Edgar for Pres - November 10, 2010
Wow I can't believe this, i'm in shock please tell me i'm dreaming,
Dave, you were the one constant in my life that made everything right in my life while the mariners sucked. The homeruns, the close plays at the plate, the big outs they were all cherished so much more when you were in the booth. You made me believe in the unseeable and that i could dream big. You immortalized so much for so many people about this team, and wow I can’t believe your gone. You will live forever in our hearts and mind.
R.I.P
C-Nage - November 10, 2010
I'm overseas, just woke up, saw this news, and my day is ruined.
Dave Niehaus is one of the primary reasons I fell in love with Mariners baseball as a kid. What a shame he never got to announce a World Series for the Mariners. Rest in Peace, Mr. Niehaus. You were one of the best.
njpozner - November 10, 2010
I can't begin to describe how profoundly sad this has made me.
Goodbye, Dave. Thank you for making baseball beautiful.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
Oh and thank-you for making me love baseball in the first place...
Thank-you.
C-Nage - November 10, 2010
.
lemonverbena - November 10, 2010
This is about the only thing that could bring a smile to my face right now.
Thanks.
Torrid - November 10, 2010
Dave told Junior to just be himself.
J.L. White - November 10, 2010
Link to full-res version and story
Seattle Times
lemonverbena - November 10, 2010
I loved Junior's line about Niehaus in the shorts at spring training
“I told him, the sun is free, you could get some on those legs”
msb - November 10, 2010
A friend just called and my wife picked up.. relayed the message to me.
I’m a mess right now.
seattlesundevil - November 10, 2010
This is super sad.
InSpokane - November 10, 2010
I can only really compare this to a family member dying. Goddamnit. RIP Dave
BRKLN M'S - November 10, 2010
I know it's not the right time to be pissed
But a hardy fuck you to the Mariners for never being able to give Niehaus what he so rightfully deserved. I think the fact that Niehaus was never able to call a WS game for this team is the biggest reason his death feels so premature. I’m sure Niehaus died with fond memories of the Mariners in mind, but we were never able to give him that one shinning, spectacular moment. What absolute horseshit.
Ugh. I’m sorry for taking you for granted, Dave. I thought you’d always be there.
JLC - November 10, 2010
I second this a thousand times.
I really think when the M’s finally do get their championship, it’s gonna be duller because Dave won’t be there to call it. This fucking sucks.
Zwakamatsu - November 10, 2010
That, and it just feels like a dick move by the organization for putting such shitty teams on the field year after year.
qrsouther - November 10, 2010
Damn straight. Fuck you Mariners. Fuck you fuck you fuck you!
Goose - November 10, 2010
I was just talking to a friend earlier today
about how much bavasi screwed things up and that if i ever saw him in person i wouldn’t hesitate to punch him in the face. Losing Dave today just makes me even more angry with bavasi.
808duck - November 10, 2010
Bavasi is public enemy number one.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Im so depressed and at a loss for words.
Thanks for everything Dave
kentroyals5 - November 10, 2010 via mobile
Goodbye Dave.
You made baseball for me. Nothing says baseball to me like Dave narrating a game, he made you feel there and like each game was special.
ungoreatstefan - November 10, 2010
Even the crappiest games could be good, because Dave always had a story, or something interesting to say.
SeaKoala - November 10, 2010
RIP
That’s all I can muster right now.
Aaroniero Arruruerie - November 10, 2010
Fuck. No. Damnit
bamfor - November 10, 2010
Rest in Peace Dave.
Your voice will forever be the soundtrack of my childhood.
themanleyman - November 10, 2010
I'm almost crying.
Thanks for everything Dave. I wouldn’t love baseball half as much if it weren’t for you.
Robert Lintott - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave
Listening to a game on the radio will never be the same again.
Matt Gardner - November 10, 2010
The most depressing thing
is thinking of the day the M’s might finally be something exciting again and knowing he’s not gonna be there to call it.
sammy - November 10, 2010
I don't think this is gonna hit me until baseball starts in April
Its gonna suck.
Edgar for Pres - November 10, 2010
I don't think I'm going to feel like I'm watching the Mariners without him
He has been the one constant the entire time I was a mariners fan.
Edgar for Pres - November 10, 2010
Goodbye Dave
It will never be the same without you.
easymmmkay - November 10, 2010
I think I might have a salami sandwich tonight
with rye bread and mustard.
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
Fly, fly away...
FaceRuiner - November 10, 2010
This is the most perfect comment in this thread
Matt Erickson - November 10, 2010
I'm so sad
RIP, thanks for everything Dave
Griffin Cooper - November 10, 2010
Thank you so much Dave.
It’ll never be the same. Or anywhere as good.
fiftyone - November 10, 2010 via mobile
This hit me hard.
I feel like I just lost a relative. I don’t know what to do… RIP Dave. Thank you so much for all the memories.
Brett the 49er - November 10, 2010
We are all better for having listened to him, and the world is worse off without him
Godspeed Dave. You made my childhood summers great.
JAH - November 10, 2010
Ugh... I convinced myself he'd be around to watch them win it all
I just… don’t know what to say right now :(
BaronVonBullshit - November 10, 2010
Fuck you sports world.
Leave us alone. We didn’t need this now. We’ve been through enough. Now you take away our biggest icon and the face of our franchise?
This is like a punch to the gut. You will be missed, Dave. I think this is the first time I’ve cried about someone who wasn’t a family member dying.
Mariner John - November 10, 2010
What the shit
I was just checking Facebook on my iPhone and had to do a double take when I saw this on Chinn’s status.
I can not believe this is real. This has to be a sick joke.
bluemax - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave Niehaus
Thank you for caring about a crappy team that we gave up on. Thank you for everything and for keeping me with this team when I’m in the car or when I didn’t have cable or when I’m just tired of the M’s. You deserved to announce a World Series. Out, out brief candle indeed… It seems like forever yet no time at all that you’ve been covering the M’s.
Adieu, bonne nuit, cảm ơn, godspeed.
Slurvey - November 10, 2010
As an east coast Mariners fan, he's the only voice I ever associated with the Mariners.
May you rest in piece.
ThomasG - November 10, 2010
On the one hand few people get to have a life that is so meaningful to so many people
On the other hand this still feels terrible.
OlSalty - November 10, 2010
I lost my mom earlier this year and now it feels like I lost a grandfather.
This is just unbelievably tragic. The Mariners will never be the same.
ScottBrowne - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave
It feels like a family member just died.
Sad… really, really sad.
krb - November 10, 2010
We're going to miss you Dave. We already do.
Baseball in Seattle cannot ever be the same without you. I’m not sure I’ve seen worse anymore. RIP.
I'mSureI'veSeenWorse - November 10, 2010
Totally heartbroken. Totally devastated. Can't' stop crying.
Oh Dave.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
I enjoyed that friendly voice for 34 years
Wow…I’m stunned. Icons aren’t supposed to die.
After all these years, I still remember my favorite story of his: Way back in the first couple of years of the M’s existence, he and his broadcast partner Ken Wilson stopped by someone’s office for some reason or another. The receptionist called her boss and announced “Dave Newsome and Ken Williams are here to see you.”
They both just kept cracking up again and again for the rest of the game.
AltCtrlDelete - November 10, 2010
Wow....just wow. R.I.P.
That voice over the radio, to me, is baseball.
“My oh my!”
thebyron - November 10, 2010
Flashback
The direct link won’t work, but this page has a link to Niehaus calling the first pitch in Mariners history.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
Was it Dave that sang earlier last season? If so, could we hear the audio of it?
qrsouther - November 10, 2010
I can't fucking believe this.
Though, I’m hoping that Dave is a phoenix and will rise from the ashes and be sparkly new Dave.
And then my brain remembers that we don’t live in a fantasy world. :( :( :( :(
Phil Hatzenbuehler - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave.
This season has been terribly memorable.
perfectstrat - November 10, 2010
Wow. Seems unreal. I can't even imagine what listening to the Mariners will sound like now.
Mothy - November 10, 2010
This is going to be a double whammy
First, going through the next 10 days or so, then again in March.
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
Even not hearing him in the commercials is going to impact me.
JLC - November 10, 2010
I was looking forward to seeing him welcome us to spring training on FSN.
The end of winter.
bagsflyfree - November 10, 2010
Mariners baseball will never be the same.
I always dreamed this fucking team would give him a world series. Not for me for the man who has sat through all their crap over the years. I always had hoped i’d get to meet him and tell him how he has instilled a love of baseball in me and how when i watch baseball i try to observe it how he would tell it. I’m crushed, crying and don’t care who knows it.
bagsflyfree - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave.
I have no words right now. I’m in shock.
TrustBaseball - November 10, 2010
I grew up going to games. We had 20 game season ticket plans all throughout my childhood at the Kingdome
when we’d lose 100 games a year. We’d get up and change seats whenever we wanted, kept score, caught home runs, foul balls, talked to players, etc. Throughout all the shitty seasons, my dad and I would always sit in our seats while listening to his headphones and listening to Niehaus doing play by play. A huge part of my childhood is gone today. For an old man that I’ve never met before, I’m going to miss the hell out of him. RIP Dave
Rich Amaral - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave :(
The 2011 season should be dedicated to him.
huskies2010 - November 10, 2010
I'd rather they not
because they will just shit the bed.
HitKing69 - November 10, 2010
Thanks for everything, Dave.
BigWillyStyle - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave
This just doesn’t seem possible.
Zack - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave
You were the greatest. Maybe next year we can go get that ring for you
EthanN - November 10, 2010
Condolences from an A's fan
Bill King died unexpectedly a few years ago. Like Dave, he probably wasn’t quite on top of his game in the last few years of his career, and it was a bit hard to explain to the younger fans who hadn’t heard him at his best what the loss meant to us, but it was tough for those of us who had listened to Bill over his 25 years with the A’s.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Dave’s storytelling when I’ve caught an M’s game on MLB.com or on XM, and I’ll miss the voice of Seattle baseball in 2011.
Soaker - November 10, 2010
Thank you.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
Thanks.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
I remember when Jeff posted that clip of Dave Niehaus cursing when JJ entered the game.
He cared for the M’s and he cared a lot once again thank you Dave.
Slurvey - November 10, 2010
Now watch this big fucker come in and walk the world.
qrsouther - November 10, 2010
Not to sound dramatric, but this is the first time I've cried in years......
redwolf75 - November 10, 2010
RIP DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!
redwolf75 - November 10, 2010
Oh god.
I missed his glory years but I loved the guy. At least he got to the HOF.
Eyeball Kid - November 10, 2010
I'm just sitting here, watching this over and over
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzMgO-mrarU
I don’t know what else to do.
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
Just about to post that.
huskies2010 - November 10, 2010
That fills me with sadness right now.
He deserved to see a World Series with the Mariners. Damn it… I don’t care as much that the M’s have never been, but I wanted him to see it as much as I want myself to see it.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
Yesterday, that would have given me chills...
Today, it leaves me feeling sad and empty. Dave deserved better than the occasional decent season the M’s were able to deliver, but he was here with us the whole time. He was ours and I’m quite certain he’ll leave a void that will never fully be filled.
Sullitron - November 10, 2010
Audio
Some notable calls.
I’ve never got emotional over a celeb dying, but Dave is different. Listening to over 1000+ of his games over the last 19 years will do that.
batura - November 10, 2010
Dave gave me so much and I never was able to give him a single thing back other than a few quick thank yous while at work.
Let me use this as a chance to say thank you for changing my life for the better forever. You are the grandfather that I have been missing since moving out to Seattle. There is no way that I am as big of a sports fan right now if it wasn’t for you. You created who I am today. Thank you Dave. Thank you a million times over and over. Thank you. You the best that has ever lived.
Robert - November 10, 2010
This hurts.
So many times I would listen to the radio because his discription of the action was better than that of my own eyes. My God will he be missed.
thewyrm - November 10, 2010 via mobile
THIS SUCKS.
He was pretty damn timeless.
dba - November 10, 2010
Wow...
Reading this on the front page hit me like a kick to the stomach.
This is devastating.
I only hope that he realized how much he meant to all of us.
Thanks Dave, God speed.
BigR - November 10, 2010
Wow.
This gives whole new meaning to the term, “There is no floor”. R.I.P Dave. The man deserved to see a title.
BurlesonBlue - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave,
When we bring that championship home to Seattle, I hope they make one extra ring with your name on it.
d0nkey - November 10, 2010
Rest in peace Dave...
Summer days in Seattle will never be the same.
apsve - November 10, 2010
End of an era
It’s a flat out crime that he never got to announce a Mariners world series game. RIP Dave.
chaney - November 10, 2010
Oh my god
RIP, Dave
Corco - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave.
Thank you for not only being the voice of the Mariners, but also the voice of my childhood. Thanks.
bomdal - November 10, 2010
Rest in Peace, Dave
Thanks for making baseball so fun.
tait644 - November 10, 2010
Oh my fucking god no. Please no. This is so fucking wrong.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
This...this just wasn't how it was supposed to end
Corco - November 10, 2010
RIP
I was lucky to hear him over the years. Mariner baseball was all the better for his presence.
dfa - November 10, 2010
There better be a patch on Mariners' jerseys in the 2011 season.
dba - November 10, 2010
Oh, for sure
I’d like them to make a “bobblehead” or something that’s just a mike. I’d totally buy that.
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
This is awful.
I’ve been thinking a lot (A LOT) this year about Dave Niehaus and when his retirement would come. And how that retirement speech would turn me into a big, blubbery baby. Now, I’m just stunned and here we sit without the man that made Mariner baseball enjoyable on any level night after night. His voice wasn’t a voice I equate to baseball announcing, like Joe Buck or Tim McCarver, it was a voice I equated to a father or grandfather. And now we won’t have that retirement speech, he’s just… gone. Sigh.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
Niehaus is the #4 trending worldwide topic on Twitter
Go Dave!
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
Crapcrapcrap.
I just turned on the radio to hear Calabro talking about it— I assume it was heart, as he had problems for a few years. Apparently Shannon and Matt are going to try to do something for him on 710 at 6. They are playing highlights as I type
msb - November 10, 2010
Heart attack
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
I am so glad he finally got the Frick award and had a few years to enjoy being "Hall of Famer Dave Niehaus"
and walk every day into the Dave Niehaus Broadcast Center.
msb - November 10, 2010
Holy Shit. This is the final kick in the groin to what has been the most depressing year of my life as a Mariner fan.
RIP Dave, you call for “The Double” will always be etched in my head.
KC Mariner - November 10, 2010
This is one of the saddest things I have experienced.
It hasn’t hit me yet. All I can think about is me as a little kid, curled up in my dad’s lap and listening to this man explain what was going on at the Kingdome.
I’ve been in LA now for 6 years and haven’t been able to hear him. I was planning on moving back and couldn’t wait to listen to the M’s on th radio.
God Bless him.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
I don't know what to do here.
Maybe I’ll put some effort into getting all elegiac over it in the coming week or so, though I’m sure Attractive Nuiscance will beat me to the punch. It’s one of those things where what he did was miraculous, but not on a grand scale, but on a local level. And is that necessarily worse? I don’t know. I don’t know how to explain to the man now that even though he never reached that dreamt-of goal, his efforts were not in vain for it.
JY - November 10, 2010
I should have listened and watched more games this season.
God damn it all I’m an idiot.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
That's a great point
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
Hopefully FSN will show some repeats over the winter
msb - November 10, 2010
You always assume you have more time. This was too soon.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
This was one of my first thoughts
Robert Lintott - November 10, 2010
Me too.
Goose - November 10, 2010
Same here.
JAH - November 10, 2010
Samsies
I’m really going to miss having the tv on mute, and the radio going with Dave.
d0nkey - November 11, 2010
:(
A hundred thousand times :(
section331 - November 10, 2010
RIP, Dave.
This is shocking, unexpected, and thoroughly shitty. He was a class act that completely transcended the quality of the teams that he covered, that made even awful baseball fun to watch – or, at least, to listen to.
Best wishes to his friends and family. We will miss you, Dave – Mariners baseball will feel somehow hollow without you.
Chris Hafner - November 10, 2010 via mobile
@JPosnanski RIP Dave Niehaus (1935-2010), the most famous Mariner of them all. It will fly away.
msb - November 10, 2010
I never thought about how much I associate the Mariners with Dave Niehaus
He truly meant more to me than Griffey, or Ichiro or Edgar did.
JLC - November 10, 2010
There was discussion about this when Griffey left.
I think everyone agreed it was a drop in the pond in comparison to when Niehaus would leave. He was bigger than the name on the front of the jersey.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
He has been here through it all
Through all the mountains of shit and the rare gleaming awesome that was 1995-2003, he was there to delight us with his voice and stories and make us all feel like kids. Only death took him away from that.
Mariner John - November 10, 2010
Players come and go, but Niehaus was the common thread from when the franchise was born until now.
And unlike a player, he was on our side of the experience – talking to us, explaining the game to us. I have no difficulty saying that Niehaus was my favorite Mariner ever.
Chris Hafner - November 10, 2010
Watching highlights just makes me cry more right now.
I will miss the voice of summer greeting us. The first three innings on TV won’t be as enjoyable anymore.
Mariner John - November 10, 2010
Jesus christ I can't even process this right now.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
Fuck you 2010. Fuck. You.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
Goodbye Dave
I’ll miss your voice
jb3 - November 10, 2010
From Baker's story:
Joe Metro - November 10, 2010
God damn it Jay. Don't you make me cry.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
Ugh reading this is making me tear up :(
JLC - November 10, 2010
Damn you Jay...
Thingray - November 10, 2010
I always loved his rockin sport blazers.
Big Jared - November 10, 2010
Gotta love how Jay can always joke around.
huskies2010 - November 10, 2010
Tears forming.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Thank you.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Favorite memory of many
The inaugural game at Safeco. The M’s made a nice charade of keeping who would throw the first pitch a “secret” but it could not have been anyone else. When Dave’s name was announced and he walked out to the mound, the first true roar of the new park rose up and must have hit him right in the face. He stood there as the sound rose and looked down, overcome for a moment and genuinely moved as the whole place hooted with joy for the man. Then he threw the pitch over Tom Foley’s head, but no matter. The team had been saved and the beautiful outdoor stadium was reality. It was his victory that he shared with all of us.
And I’ll always have the voice that made summer chores and long drives tolerable. Dave Niehaus made the really bad baseball we had in Seattle mean something. He made people care when there was no rational reason to. He painted a picture that was so much bigger than the game that was actually happening on that fake grass under a grey ceiling.
RIP good sir, and thanks so much.
lemonverbena - November 10, 2010
If you're feeling down...
…there’s nothing better to pick ya up than a great plate of pasta.
csiems - November 10, 2010
RIP to the greatest Mariner of all time.
MFAN - November 10, 2010
Everyone who can should tune into 710 right now, it's pretty awesome.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
I'm so pissed I'm not in the Seattle-area.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
here
http://www.950kjr.com/mediaplayer/?station=KJR-AM&action=listenlive&channel_title=
Corco - November 10, 2010
oops
http://www.mynorthwest.com/streams/streampop_espn.php
Corco - November 10, 2010
Link to 710
http://www.mynorthwest.com/streams/streampop_espn.php
mgldan - November 10, 2010
Thanks to you and Corco for the link.
Joe Metro - November 10, 2010
If I'm supposed to say goodbye to Dave Niehaus today, I refuse. I'm not ready to do that.
I feel like the team died today. Because what are the Mariners without Dave Niehaus?
Fuck Safeco Insurance… Niehaus Field.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
We'll miss you Dave. RIP
quacker27 - November 10, 2010
:'(
:’(
appleshampoo - November 10, 2010
Fly, fly away Dave.
I can’t imagine Mariners baseball without you. RIP
SethGrandpa - November 10, 2010
They are telling stories on 710
Calabro with a gravel-voice imitation of Dave explaining what he did on those All Star break 3-day holidays he took every year; “what do you do Dave, do you go back to Hawaii?” “Nah, I sit on the porch, maybe grill a steak and listen to the ballgame”
which reminded Pitman that Felix had a no-no going during one of Dave’s off-days and about the fifth, Kevin Cremin’s blackberry went off, and it was Dave … “If it gets to the 7th, I’m coming in”
msb - November 10, 2010
Shannon just said they had to force him to take those breaks
sometimes it came down to a presidential edict from Chuck, and at least once they roped Griffey in— apparently he’d listen to Junior :)
msb - November 10, 2010
I loved that story about the no no.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
Matt and Shannon giggling at the image of Dave, one hand on the radio, one hand on the car keys
msb - November 10, 2010
The best.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
RIP Mr. Niehaus
One of the best play-by-play men in the business. Watching Mariners games was pretty awful sometimes, but Dave’s call always made it better.
Murray, Present - November 10, 2010
Listening to the first game of the season is going to be an empty, empty feeling.
BigR - November 10, 2010
RIP
Lyn Cassady - November 10, 2010
KJR broadcasting final 2010 at bat RIGHT NOW
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
Every year I listen to the radio call of the final out of the WS
And I think to myself “I can’t even imagine what it will be like to hear Dave make that call, after all the years of waiting, after all the close calls, lost seasons, and unrealized potential.”
The Mariners may well win a World Series one day. I certainly hope they do. It won’t be the same without Dave to make that final call.
Sportszilla - November 10, 2010
Incredibly sad.
There are so many memories where he is the soundtrack — not just baseball-related memories, either. If it was spring or summer, his voice was in the background, if not front and center.
It won’t be the same.
ryanhealy - November 10, 2010
More links
this one from someone over at USSM
Conversations at KCTS 9: Dave Niehaus
msb - November 10, 2010
You've taught me a lot, Dave.
You were the first person to bring baseball into my life. You showed me what a beautiful game this is. You taught me the importance if keeping the ball down in the zone and that it’s okay to get on base with a walk.
You taught me that sometimes it’s okay to stay up late for the chance to hear and see something amazing on the field.
You taught me that there is an inherent beauty in words and that a well crafted phrase or thought can evoke the purest of emotions.
You taught me that, even when things have gone south, there’s still joy to be found in just about anything in life.
I’ve never lost anyone I can describe as close, but Dave, you were like family to me and countless other fans of baseball all across this wonderful region. Perhaps your final lesson to me will help me deal with loss. I’ve never felt this broken up, hurt, and utterly confounded by death before.
I don’t quite know what to do right now beyond crying at my desk. I hope beyond all hope that I can move past that. Truthfully, Dave, I’m not sure if I will be able to move on. I don’t know if I’ll ever hear your name or recordings of your voice again and feel anything other than the sadness I’m feeling now. I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to watch another game of baseball again, but I’m going to try. More than anything, you taught me how wonderful this game of baseball is. You gave me a lot of wonderful memories and lessons to remember you by.
Thank you, Dave. May you rest in peace.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
I love synchronicity
turned on mlb tv, and they are showing a countdown special about great catches— and there is Dave calling several of Jr’s great catchs
msb - November 10, 2010
Terrible, terrible news
He made the years and years of awful baseball bearable and he made the few good seasons sublime.
Grendel Gongan - November 10, 2010
WHAT THE FUCK NOOOOOOOOOO
Double06 - November 10, 2010
God, listening to these grown men on the radio is heartbreaking.
Joe Metro - November 10, 2010
It really is.
Torrid - November 10, 2010
All I can intimate is that sometimes things just aren't fair.
qrsouther - November 10, 2010
I met Dave outside the Kingdome after an extra inning win in 1993.
He was clearly drunk and ready to go home but he stopped and chatted about how exciting the game was with three complete strangers for t least five minutes. I have always cherished that memory because listening to him on the radio as a teenager was my solace.
FUCK!
I am so glad you went into the Hall of Fame while alive Dave.
Sec 108 - November 10, 2010
Jeff
Go here… http://johnbai3030.blogspot.com/2010/11/rip-dave.html
Click the link.
johnbai - November 10, 2010
Thanks John
Sec 108 - November 10, 2010
Glad you got this
I listened to it a few times over and over again. At some point I stopped listening to the words and just let the quality of Dave’s voice exist in the background of my apartment…. just like I did every summer evening for most of my life. It was his rambling storytelling that I enjoyed more than his celebrated big calls.
johnbai - November 10, 2010
That's a gorgeous clip
Thanks
Robert Lintott - November 10, 2010
Glad you got to listen to it tonight
johnbai - November 10, 2010
Thank you for posting this. I love that story.
TrustBaseball - November 10, 2010
Does anyone know where I can find a clip of his "big fucker" comment?
Matt Erickson - November 10, 2010
.
http://images.lookoutlanding.com/images/admin/niehaus_at_his_best.wav
Eyeball Kid - November 10, 2010
"Walk the world?"
Is that what he’s saying?
THolt - November 10, 2010
Watch this big fucker come in and walk the world.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
Derisive?
He obviously was a fan at heart, like all of us.
THolt - November 10, 2010
I have seen the images
But now I know where it came from.
Big fucker walking the world indeed.
ZeusGalore - November 11, 2010
One of my favorite soundbites.
Reminds me of “The Shadow Knows” from Mad Magazine as a kid…Here is what I’m really thinking.
wazzu93 - November 11, 2010
I'm incredibly sad
So many memories from my youth are tied to his voice.
marinerschas2 - November 10, 2010
It will be so fucking bittersweet now if Felix wins the Cy Young
And Dave never got to see it.
Matt Erickson - November 10, 2010
Absolutely heartbreaking.
He deserved to be rewarded for his loyalty so much. He seemed so happy when he finally got put into the Hall Of Fame. Yet I still cant help but feel he deserved better.
Growing up in Maryland, I didnt get to grow up with him, but I certainly knew of him…especially in 1995. In the age of the internet I have gotten attached to him. If he means so much to me the last few years, I cant imagine how much he means to those in Seattle growing up with him.
1995 changed me completely. It turned me into an athlete, it created a career, it shaped my friends and family, it made me fall in love with Seattle. Dave was a part of that, and thus a part of me.
Thanks Dave, for everything. You will never know me, nor will you ever know how important you were to a 10 year old kid once upon a time. RIP.
Slica - November 10, 2010
Dave on Almost Live’s Sports Talk (along with Rizzs)
appleshampoo - November 10, 2010
h/t @carstensm from twitter
(Sorry I forgot the subject line)
appleshampoo - November 10, 2010
I just watched that. It's wonderful to see him re-dub his call of The Double.
yuniform - November 10, 2010
Griffey on 710 right now.
msb - November 10, 2010
HOLY SHIT, griffey's on 719
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
*710
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
Shock and dismay, no word during the season, but this is an appropriate time to hear from Griffey...
What a terrible blow. the 2010 season is just getting kicked in the nuts over and over again.
ambrosia2112 - November 10, 2010
The timing of Griffey's return just reminds us how much we lost this year
mgldan - November 10, 2010
Dave Niehaus WILL be there when the M's win the world series. It's just a shame that we won't be able to hear him cheering.
MFAN - November 10, 2010
I'm so grateful right now to have LL to turn to, as I'm guessing many other out-of-staters also are.
Sitting here in my apartment in Milwaukee, no one around me gives a shit. And I realize they have no reason to, but all I want right now is to commiserate.
Torrid - November 10, 2010
I'm about to drop off some flowers at Safeco. The card will say Lookout Landing.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
Amen, brother.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
Sister.
JY - November 10, 2010
My apologies.
You rule.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
Thank you honey.
msb - November 10, 2010
I think this is a wonderful idea.
Thank you, RC.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
If it's not too much to ask, do you think you can take a picture to share with us?
BrianL - November 10, 2010
Will do.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
Very grateful.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
Thank you.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
Thanks RC.
thewyrm - November 10, 2010 via mobile
Thanks
JAH - November 10, 2010
That is an absolutely beautiful thing to do.
Thank yo.
Torrid - November 10, 2010
Thank you
Corco - November 10, 2010
Thank you,
Sincerely
BigR - November 10, 2010
What a wonderful thing to do.
Thank you.
SeaKoala - November 10, 2010
Amazing idea.
Goose - November 10, 2010
Thank you so much
Robert Lintott - November 10, 2010
Speaking as an exile, thank you
JY - November 10, 2010
Thank you.
katal - November 10, 2010
Thank you.
TWownsU - November 10, 2010
Thanks, man.
Sign for our whole community. And convey how devastated we all are, and how much a part of our lives he was.
THolt - November 10, 2010
You are a treasure.
Mariner John - November 10, 2010
Bless you rc
Eyeball Kid - November 10, 2010
Thabk you so much
Ence - November 10, 2010
Thank you for doing this, RC.
Chris Hafner - November 11, 2010
Thank you.
Robert - November 11, 2010
thanks
im stuck in DC. I’ve got a few M’s fans around here (theres like 5 of us), but it sucks not to be in Seattle right now. thanks a lot.
Jerikantilles - November 11, 2010
The first time I got to meet him in person was about a month ago...
I had been listening for years, and can barely believe it.
RIP Mr Niehaus, you are truly missed!
ambrosia2112 - November 10, 2010
Me too-- I got to watch him briefly up in the booth, working a game
msb - November 10, 2010
Oh man. Damn.
We’ll miss you, Dave.
John Morgan - November 10, 2010
Awful, awful news.
RIP Dave.
Nate Dogg - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave
I’m really too shell-shocked to add to that.
Shrug - November 10, 2010
I had to listen to the '95 playoff game against the Angels on my walkman
The game started while I was at school, and had to take the Metro home; I still remember going insane during Dave’s call of Sojo’s big hit.
Griffey is right about Dave being the Mariners.
J.L. White - November 10, 2010
I've never even really listened to Dave broadcast a game but I still got sad and watery-eyed.
russak - November 10, 2010
Back in the 90s home games were NEVER on tv.
All we did was listen to him on the radio.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
My mother just called
It’s finally starting to sink in.
This sucks.
Corco - November 10, 2010
Junior: "One of the greatest men I've ever met and had the privilege of knowing. He is Mariner baseball. The players...can't hold a candle to that man."
lemonverbena - November 10, 2010
Shannon has put up a link
to Griffey’s comments
msb - November 10, 2010
I've never been so upset by the loss of someone I never met.
It’s such a miserable shame he never got to call a World Series game. God I’m gonna miss him.
Big Jared - November 10, 2010
Same feeling man...
I feel like I lost a family member.
PLU Tim - November 10, 2010
I moved away from Seattle halfway through 2001.
That was the year MLB released gameday audio, and we bought the package as soon as we arrived in Wisconsin. Each year for the last 9 years, I have listened to 162 games while doing homework, applying for college, studying for finals, getting ready for bed, and looking for jobs. In 2008, I spent 2 weeks in China, and I listened to games in the morning at the internet cafe while checking my email. When I missed a game because I absolutely had to, I made it up the next day. I was 13 when we left; I’m 22 now, and I have spent more hours listening to Dave’s voice than anyone else’s. He absolutely was home to me, and still is.
Sorry for the LLLJ, but maybe today is an exception.
themoose - November 10, 2010
This is very similar to me.
It’s very reasonable to assume that I’ve listened to Dave speak than any other human in my life.
BigR - November 10, 2010
Can we change our outfield banner to say "In Dave we trust" for opening day?
msb - November 10, 2010
I wholeheartedly endorse this idea.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
We can do better than that.
We will discuss it later.
Sec 108 - November 10, 2010
Okeydoke.
msb - November 10, 2010
KJR has the Hall of Fame Speech
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
playing right now.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
Fucking amazing.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
Lookout Landing - Dave was ours, but everyone can keep him in their hearts.
J.L. White - November 10, 2010
Mr. Neihaus,
I’m 18 years old, and I’ve only been graced by your brilliant broadcasting for 5 years.
I feel like you were my grandpa. I feel like you were everyone’s grandpa. I liked when you told me to drink milk during radio commercial breaks. My favorite time of day was when you called the ninth inning and JJ was pitching. I never met you, but you visited me and my dad nightly. I remember when you sometimes would screw up the call, but I didn’t care because you were awesome.
All things have to go. I’ll miss your gravely voice and your kindness and how you loved your job even when we were down 10-0 to the Angels. I’ll miss how you
I hope there’s baseball to broadcast wherever you are now.
.Taylor - November 10, 2010
Goddammit, my tears are obstructing the keyboard and made me forget to finish a sentence.
Sorry, Dave.
.Taylor - November 10, 2010
I'm 23, but moved here in '97.
I missed some of his famous calls, but just the sound of his voice… the “Mawiners baseball!” quirk—someone else has to have noticed that—all of it. So sad. I’m so heartbroken right now.
THolt - November 10, 2010
What was the Old Time Religion call that Mike Salk was talking about?
Decatur - November 10, 2010
.
"The fans are hoping to catch a little bit of old-time religion right here, baby, with Junior stepping up to the plate. Here comes the stretch and the pitch to Junior is on the way. Swing and a fly ball hit to deep right-center field! That baby is going to beeeeeeeee — FLY AWAY! THE OLD TIME RELIGION LIVES! JUNIOR DOES IT! A two-run home run and we are tied at 3-3. My oh my! Magic is back at least for a night."
msb - November 10, 2010
That was the Diamondbacks game where Endy got hurt, right?
Graham MacAree - November 10, 2010
That's the one.
I left early, upset about Chavez. =(
katal - November 10, 2010
God damn you, Yuni.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
Everybody talks about The Double call and the 1995 AL West title call and the RJ no no call, but when I think of
Dave Neihaus, the first thing that comes to mind was the game in 1997 when Junior hit his 54th and 55th home runs. Specifcally the 55th. I remember the game being on tv in the living room and I remember laying on the couch with my grandpa watching the game. Griffey had already homered once that day and that later this happen(Paraphrasing)
“Here comes Ludwick’s pitch to the plate and SWUNG ON AND BELTED DEEP TO RIGHT FIELD AND IT WILL FLY FLY AWAY! KEN GRIFFEY JUNIOR HAS HIT DOUBLE NICKLE! FIFTY FIVE HOME RUNS FOR KEN GRIFFEY JUNIOR! MY OH MY!”
We love you Dave and we will never forget you. I hope one day, when we finally do win a Championship, that it brings a smile to your heart, whereever you are.
Rest in Peace.
Goose - November 10, 2010
One of my favorite Niehaus moments was his call of Edgar's homer the day after he announced he'd retire.
“Will you reconsider Edgar!” It was just so pure and genuine and I don’t think there was a single Mariner fan that wasn’t thinking the same thing as Edgar hit that homer.
MFAN - November 10, 2010
That's the one for me too
chaney - November 10, 2010
My favorite memory
Listening to his call for this game during the 1995 season, when the Mariners came back to beat the A’s on a grand slam by Alex Diaz. I was jumping up and down.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh. This is the floor.
yuniform - November 10, 2010
My favorite memory of Dave Niehaus
was everything that was said between plays. He sure knew how to fill the gap in the action.
d0nkey - November 10, 2010
I loved how he handled requests from people that he didn't say the score enough.
He was able to accept, deflect, and joke about those comments with such class.
yuniform - November 10, 2010
RIP Dave
Never knew an announcer put more into the call. Just felt connected to that whiskey/cigarette tuned baritone blast: BELTED .!!!!! . . . . . . .
Paytheline - November 10, 2010
Dave was my link home.
Living away from Seattle for the last few years I rarely got a chance to listen or watch Mariner games. When I did get a chance unless Dave was calling it, the game just didn’t feel right and I cold lose interest pretty quick (especially this season). However, when Dave was calling it, nothing could tear me away.
He was an instant security blanket. Listening to Dave brought back memories not just of better days with the Mariners, but of my childhood, growing up, skipping class to watch the one game playoff in the basement of my residence hall and of course the 95 ALDS. His voice took me back to playing catch in the backyard and going games in the Kingdome with my Dad or collecting all the Alvin Davis cards I could get my hands on.
I can’t quit the Mariners, no matter how many times I say I will. Even though I can’t quit them, I’m not sure when I’ll be willing to tune into a Mariner game again knowing I won’t be able to listen to his voice while letting memories wash over me. That link is gone and it’s not coming back.
KC Mariner - November 10, 2010
True fandom is like true love.
And this is like losing that rare father-in-law that you admired and absolutely adored. Why am I so close to tears right now? Everyone who’s drinking tonight, toast the man, then pour one for him.
THolt - November 10, 2010
I had no plans to drink tonight, but I popped a beer in my hotel room and gave him a toast.
If I had some ryr bread, mustard and salami I’d be making myself a sandwich right now to go with the beer.
KC Mariner - November 10, 2010
Dammit...."rye" bread.
KC Mariner - November 10, 2010
I'm going out to get those exact things.
Why am I tearing up? This isn’t supposed to be like this. We couldn’t even win a ring for him.
THolt - November 10, 2010
If you figure out why you're tearing up, let me know.. I am right alongside ya.
seattlesundevil - November 10, 2010
I'm seriously having trouble holding it together right now.
It’s Dave FUCKING Niehaus. Jesus.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Long-distance toast!
Whoever’s got one, raise it….
and here’s a clink from the east coast. To The Voice of the Mariners!
thebyron - November 10, 2010
Clink
THolt - November 10, 2010
I just went and got a 6er of Pyramid Hefeweizen and have opened a beer in honor of Niehaus
Corco - November 10, 2010
I just finished the one beer I planned on having.
Fuck my run tomorrow, I’m opening another. I have KIRO streaming on the laptop and memories hitting me from all angles….sleep isn’t happening right now.
KC Mariner - November 10, 2010
I'm tempted to buy a bomber now.
I know I shouldn’t. Maybe I’ll go to the store and look.
JY - November 10, 2010
I am now drinking a Fin du Monde.
The sentiment feels right.
JY - November 10, 2010 via mobile
I'm jealous.
And yeah, yeah it does.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
I just heard the story that Kim, a caller, told on 710.
I’ll paraphrase for people who didn’t hear it.
Decatur - November 10, 2010
Beautiful story.
One befitting a man of Dave’s stature. You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Apparently a spontaneous candlelight vigil has broken out in front of Safeco.
Wow.
Joe Metro - November 10, 2010
Shannon's reaction:
“Unbelievable. Well, actually, no, very believable.”
thebyron - November 10, 2010
Absolutely perfect reaction, I thought so too.
seattlesundevil - November 10, 2010
GOD DAMMIT
I wish I still lived in the U-District. I’d be down there on the first bus.
THolt - November 10, 2010
I wish I could be there
Corco - November 10, 2010
Awesome
Goose - November 10, 2010
I fucking hate Los Angeles
I always thought that when this awful day finally came I would be back in Seattle and would be able to partake in all of this. This is way to soon.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
Are there any pictures of this?
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
It sort of has. I'm sure it will get bigger. When I left there were four sad people and 20 news media.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
Yeah, I went down there and there were far more TV cameras than fans. It felt weird.
Glad I could pay my respects. though. RIP.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
More links
Kirby Arnold with more quotes
Two reprints from his Hall of fame induction day from the TNT
Larue and McGrath
msb - November 10, 2010
A wonderful bunch of links
from the PI including their article on his hiring back in ’76
msb - November 10, 2010
This is half-remembering, half-self-imposed-gut-punching-torture.
Joe Metro - November 10, 2010
Good god
I miss you, Dave, you amazing special man.
Matt Erickson - November 10, 2010
Larue's anecdote on a drunk Angels owner Gene Autry is marvelous.
" ‘He said, ‘David, I should never have let your ass go.’ "
yuniform - November 10, 2010
Dave Niehaus gave me a reason to pay attention to the Mariners these last few years.
Thanks for that, Dave. You’ll never be replaced.
misterjonez - November 10, 2010
Who wants to organize a rally at the Safe this week?
The more senior of us could make some remarks. We could swap stories.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Who played 3B and SS in 2001?
Reminiscing with a buddy on the phone.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Bell/Guillen
Corco - November 10, 2010
We were talking about Ichiro's strike to Bell.
Did Niehaus call that?
THolt - November 10, 2010
LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF STAR WARS!
Yep
Goose - November 10, 2010
Terrance Long was the runner, right?
KC Mariner - November 10, 2010
Rizzs actually made the "laser beam" call.
yuniform - November 10, 2010
Damn.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Yeah.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Man.
So amazing… so sad.
THolt - November 10, 2010
I named the rest of the lineup by heart.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Me too. I had the privilege of working at the stadium during that season. Honestly, one of the highlights of my life.
HititHere - November 11, 2010
Is anybody else going to drink themselves into oblivion,
Cry like a baby, and listen to 710 all night?
BigR - November 10, 2010
Yep.
I’m in Illinois. Thank god for the internet.
themoose - November 10, 2010
Yes.
I’m popping a serious amount of Xanax, too, I think
THolt - November 10, 2010
Second is down; working on the first and third.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
Yep
Corco - November 10, 2010
That and call my Dad.
If I’m this worked up about Dave, I’ll be damned if I put off calling my Dad one more day.
KC Mariner - November 10, 2010
To Dave!
Big Jared - November 10, 2010
Condolences from a Giants fan living in Seattle
Had the pleasure of listening to him call a few games while I’ve been here. I can’t imagine what it’d be like to have the voice of the franchise taken so suddenly. Here’s hoping that you guys have more great memories to look forward to from whoever takes his chair.
Lies and Perfidy - November 10, 2010
I'm speechless.
Dave’s voice taught me baseball. Thank you so much. Rest in peace.
EequalsMc2 - November 10, 2010
Goodbye, Mr. Niehaus.
Jeff Nye - November 10, 2010
Does anyone have the audio of him calling a game? Or an inning?
No specific one… I just want to listen to him on a normal game again.
Robert Lintott - November 10, 2010
Here:
Calling Matt’s prediction home run.
EequalsMc2 - November 10, 2010
Goddamn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz6cXETvOdI
EequalsMc2 - November 10, 2010
id forgotten how amazing that was
and how excited he was. thanks.
Jerikantilles - November 11, 2010
I'm the same way...
I just want to hear the guy talk. I just want one more “Loooooooooooooooow and outside.” There are “My Oh My”s all over youtube, but the normal stuff isn’t around.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
MLB.com's audio archives are still online.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/
yuniform - November 10, 2010
I may break down and pay the $25 for the offseason pack
And just listen to the M’s wins this year, just so I can hear Dave happy.
Robert Lintott - November 10, 2010
I'm so upset that I'm on the other side of the world right now.
I’m incredibly glad for 710 streaming, but finding out about this when I have 2 weeks left abroad is just a sucker punch. Just takes the wind out of my sails. I was hoping to finally go to spring training next year with my dad…just won’t be the same now. Seattle and Mariners fans everywhere will miss you, Dave. Thank you for filling 20 years of my life with excitement.
Mikky - November 10, 2010
The flowers have been left at Home Plate entrance.
Unfortunately there were swarms of news media there, pouncing on everyone leaving flowers or candles (our bouquet was the third laid down). That sucked. But as soon as I can find my camera > computer cord, I will post the photo. The card simply said “Thank you, Dave. You were the best. Lookout Landing.”
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
Thank you so much.
EequalsMc2 - November 10, 2010
Thank you.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
As I am not able to do so myself...
this means a lot. Thanks.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
Thank you
Thank you so much
Corco - November 10, 2010
Thank you, RC.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
Thanks, man.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Woman.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
My mistake.
THolt - November 10, 2010
I've been here for two seasons, pretty regular poster.
How did I not know that…?
THolt - November 10, 2010
Especially with RC :)
msb - November 10, 2010
I'm tempted to give her my number, now...
JOKE
THolt - November 10, 2010
Eh, I'm monstrous.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
Respectfully disagree.
Back on topic, fuck this year with a baseball bat.
James F'n X - November 10, 2010
Yet quite eloquent.
And obviously compassionate. Thanks for taking the card down.
THolt - November 10, 2010
You are the best.
JAH - November 10, 2010
Thanks you are a godsend
Slurvey - November 10, 2010
Robert Lintott helpfully took a photo of them for us.
royalcurve - November 11, 2010
I wish I had taken it, but I believe it was Josh Trujillo of the Seattle PI
I found it in a PI photo slideshow here.
Robert Lintott - November 11, 2010
Ohhhh. In any event, thanks for sending it to me! Mine turned out janky.
royalcurve - November 11, 2010
Worst day ever.
Just found out. So unexpected. Thanks for a lifetime of great memories, Dave. Now to drink beers, watch my Edgar DVD and bawl.
wazzu93 - November 10, 2010
Man, this fucking sucks.
CapSea - November 10, 2010
I don't know about anyone else
but I think I’m going to call my grandpa tonight just to talk.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
Too late for me, but I plan to tomorrow.
I have many fond memories of staying at my grandparents’ house during the summer. My grandfather is a huge Mariners fan; he’s a close second after my father for the primary influence on my baseball fanhood. He’d turn on the TV and we would watch the game on mute while listening to Niehaus announce it over the radio.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
This is going to be a Thanksgiving unlike any other.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
I think I'm going to be showing up early and staying late this year.
BrianL - November 10, 2010
I wish I could.
Sec 108 - November 10, 2010
This finally did it for me, I'm in tears
(here)
But you know the other half? I can’t stop smiling either.
Robert Lintott - November 10, 2010
Same here. I've been listening to that, crying and smiling.
Goose - November 10, 2010
Oh you bastard.
And thank you.
thebyron - November 10, 2010
We're all grown men.
This should be testament enough to how much this old man with a voice meant to us.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Its because of how much he makes us feel like kids again that make us love him so much.
Kenneth Arthur - November 10, 2010
Well put.
THolt - November 10, 2010
It's amazing to remember how young he used to sound...
Soundtrack of my youth…
ambrosia2112 - November 10, 2010
This is wonderful.
Joe Metro - November 10, 2010
Goodbye Dave.
waldo rojas - November 10, 2010
Sad day, RIP Dave.
Thanks for all your hard work, we will miss you :(
Heydude - November 10, 2010
Mlb Network's Update is being announced by Harold Reynolds.
And he looks visibly shaken, wow, just wow…
ambrosia2112 - November 10, 2010
I am so crushed...
I didn’t even know this man….but I did. Next to my own father, no other male has given me so much joy in my life.
PLU Tim - November 10, 2010
Damn it!
Who’s cutting onions in here?
Seriously though, my brain is having trouble rapping its head around this one for some reason. Niehaus is always there, every year since I became a baseball fan so many years ago. Damn you Mariners for never putting out a World Series team during Niehaus’ life. Niehaus announcing the world series would have been unbelievable.
Goodbye Dave. Thanks for being all of our constant baseball companion day in and day out for all these years.
TIFO - November 10, 2010
Having a bourbon for you Dave.
No Winstons, sorry.
waldo rojas - November 10, 2010
His voice was the equivalent of a pipe and slippers
Grab your pipe, put on your slippers and settle in for the evening. I’m not currently able to wrap my head around the fact that I’ll never get to do that again.
groovewrangler - November 10, 2010
W.H. Auden - Funeral Blues
Funeral Blues
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West.
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
EequalsMc2 - November 10, 2010
Auden auto-rec.
JY - November 10, 2010
Start carving the statue now
R.I.P.
Aly Edge - November 10, 2010
If Edgar got a street, Dave deserves a Highway...
C-Nage - November 10, 2010
A holiday, perhaps. Maybe even the whole stadium.
His impact on Washington state is more than politics, economics or science alone. He Made the Seattle Mariners. His voice turned many of us into fans.
EequalsMc2 - November 10, 2010
I-90 officially begins at the ramp just east of Edgar Martinez Dr
Call I-90 between Seattle and SR 18 the Dave Niehaus Freeway
Corco - November 10, 2010
Think bigger. How about a mountain you can see from Safeco. Mt. Niehaus?
TrustBaseball - November 10, 2010
I think Broussard pointed to one in 2007 that would work.
joof - November 10, 2010
I used to think Edgar would probably get the first statue outside Safeco.
Now I hope it’s Dave.
KC Mariner - November 10, 2010
R.I.P. Dave
This is a day I knew would come, but never wanted it to. Summers and Mariners baseball will never be the same. I never thought I would be this upset about someone’s death who I didn’t know personally, but in a way I felt like I did. Hearing Dave’s familiar voice on the radio every night when I was a kid was like a grandfather telling me a story to fall asleep to. As I grew older, I was able to stay up and hear the stories which had a way of making bad baseball enjoyable. He is a legend and will truly be missed. Thanks for making my childhood, adulthood, summers, and Mariners baseball something that could always bring a smile to my face no matter the day. R.I.P.
jeterc9 - November 10, 2010
I see Jeff put up a post on the front page.
I’m having a hard time letting myself read it yet. Not until a trip to the gas station for another six pack.
BigR - November 10, 2010
I just opened my first.
I had to take a few Xanax. This is so depressing.
THolt - November 10, 2010
This is devastating.
I found out from a friend at 6:30. I turned on the radio just as Dave’s Game 5 call was being played and sobbed as I drove home.
If any one man should be associated with the Seattle Mariners, it is Dave Niehaus. He was, is, and always will be the face of this franchise to me. Thank you for many wonderful years, Dave. May you rest in peace.
schismatix - November 10, 2010
I think "There is no floor" should be retired now.
We’ve found the floor. Sad day.
Terminator X - November 10, 2010
Yep.
sanford_and_son - November 10, 2010
Worst Mariner's Year Ever
I can’t imagine any would ever top this, unless the team plane someday goes down in flames killing all aboard or something. Even then, as callous as it might sound, players can be replaced. Dave Niehaus is ireplacable.
TIFO - November 10, 2010
I'm not familiar...
What’s that quote?
THolt - November 10, 2010
It's a meme here.
To the effect of things are bad, but they are too often capable of being worse.
JY - November 10, 2010
Thanks.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Odd that I'd never seen it.
I’m here everyday and almost every post.
THolt - November 10, 2010
It's already been posted in this thread twice.
yuniform - November 10, 2010
I'm actually illiterate.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Perhaps it's also time to retire the Sexson photo
I know it’s even more fitting now, but perhaps it should be replaced with a smiling Niehaus. Or better yet, Niehaus in one of his hilariously bad spring training outfits. At least for the offseason, it seems fitting. :-)
TIFO - November 10, 2010
I think that would be a great idea
An everlasting tribute to Dave.
On the other hand, the Sexson photo really does capture the attitude of the site :)
surfmonkey89 - November 10, 2010
It probably won't be replaced permanently
But a temporary tribute to Niehaus would probably be appropriate.
Fin - November 10, 2010
I don't want the Sexson photo replaced.
Decatur - November 11, 2010
Mariner baseball. Will never be the same again.
RIP DAVE NIEHAUS. I will miss him.
M'sFanatic - November 10, 2010
Tip of the hat to Divish for this.
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/files/2010/11/Niehaus-first-pitch-77.mp3
MFAN - November 10, 2010
The TNT also has a number of quotes
gathered together
msb - November 10, 2010
I don't mean to steal RC's thunder, but
Because tomorrow’s a day off, I’m now thinking of visiting Salumi for lunch, then stopping by Uwajimaya for flowers and carrying them down to Safeco to pay my respects. If anyone else would like to join me around 11ish, it would be nice to do this with a couple LLers.
katal - November 10, 2010
I'd love to do something with you guys late afternoon.
Put faces to the people I’ve shared so many ups and downs with. I’m not necessarily well known around here, but I post pretty often. I wish I could be there that early.
THolt - November 10, 2010
That's lovely! I wish I could join you.
And I certainly wish for no thunder.
royalcurve - November 10, 2010
Field Gulls put up an OT thread for us.
Seattle fans stick together. All 26 of us.
THolt - November 10, 2010
Hmmmm...
Guy on KJR just proposed that we retire a jersey, number 95 with Dave Niehaus’ name on the back. I love it. I’m gonna buy a jersey with it.
zeeehjee - November 10, 2010
Couldn't bring myself to do that, not with the shape the M's are in.
As an institution, sure. But uniforms represent the field, and man, Niehaus deserved better. I wonder how Bavasi feels right now. With what he inherited, and the money at his disposal, could we have won a championship? I mean that rhetorically, but, damn.
THolt - November 10, 2010
I would much rather sit in the Dave Niehaus press box
pdb - November 10, 2010
I took him for granted.
I never realized how big a part of my baseball life he was. I’ll miss him greatly.
two_hands - November 10, 2010
I feel as though Dave's passing has rendered me incapable of speech.
Kirsten Schlewitz - November 10, 2010
and the Wabash Cannonball is being sung ...
msb - November 10, 2010
Jim Caple
weighs in
msb - November 10, 2010
Beautiful piece.
Though he fucks up the Grand Salami call. He omitted “mustard.”
THolt - November 10, 2010
And video up at mlb.com
including Jr presenting Dave with the short shorts picture
msb - November 10, 2010
I remember the first time I ever herd Dave.
It was also my very first game ever. 1994, I believe. My dad took me and we sat way up in the seats in the Kingdome right field side. The field was quite small to me and my dad handed me a pair of binoculars. And headphones attached to a radio. He handed it to me and Dave’s voice filled my ears. We were playing the Twins. That was the moment when Dave entered my life. We eventually won the game 2-1 when someone (forgot who) pinch-ran for… Joey Cora maybe and ended up stealing home in the bottom of the ninth. I remember Dave going nuts. Ever since then I was a fan. I tuned in to every game I could. All through highschool, college. We didn’t have a tv in our house so it was all Dave.
Again, thank you, especially for those summers when I could just sit back and listen.
And referring to Jeff’s post up on home page, I also can recall exactly how he sounded. Interestingly the first sound bites in my mind eeren’t iconic like ‘95 or RJ’s no-no. The first phrase that popped into my head was “The pitch. Loww and outside.” And also “Swung on and that ball is deep. Fill in name to the wall, looking up, goodbye baseball!”
Won’t ever forget.
Ence - November 10, 2010
June 18, 1995.
Rich Amaral stole third in the bottom of the ninth before the team won the game on a suicide squeeze.
katal - November 11, 2010
Oh my. That would be it.
I blame my age for the bad memories and lapse of time :o It was Rich. Busting down that line, a suicide squeeze huh? I just remember him sliding home (must have thought he was stealing, I didn’t know anything about baseball then) and fireworks going off.
Thanks for that
Ence - November 11, 2010
It's funny... the really iconic moments aren't the ones I think of either. It's the mundane, August evening, mediocre baseball calls that I remember most.
Maybe it’s because Dave filled those evenings with contentment and entertainment, whereas the exciting moments were already…well… exciting and memorable.
HititHere - November 11, 2010
I just realized you can read Kirby Arnold's chapter on Dave
from Tales from the Seattle Mariners online via Google books
msb - November 10, 2010
I'm drinking by myself.
Anyone to clink beers with?
THolt - November 10, 2010
I am at work, but I'm clinking my coffee cup with your beer.
HititHere - November 11, 2010
My only regret as a part of generation Z was first hearing Dave in 2004
C-Nage - November 11, 2010
But at least we got to hear him. I just hate to see the thought of new Mariners fans coming in and not knowing who he is
EequalsMc2 - November 11, 2010
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