[nfbwatlk] Fw: OT Dave Niehaus

[Mike Freeman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Becky Frankeberger" <b.butterfly at comcast.net>
To: <Wcb-l at wcbinfo.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 7:48 PM
Subject: [Wcb-l] OT Dave Niehaus


> Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - Page updated at 07:30 p.m.
> Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus dies
> By Larry Stone
> Seattle Times staff reporter
> Dave Niehaus, the legendary and beloved voice of the Mariners from their
> inception
> in 1977 through the final game of the 2010 season, died Wednesday at his
> home in
> Bellevue, the team confirmed.
> Niehaus suffered a heart attack, according to his family.
> Niehaus, who received the Ford Frick Award at the Hall of Fame induction
> ceremony
> in 2008, was 75. He leaves behind his wife Marilyn, children Andy, Matt 
> and
> Greta,
> and six grandchildren.
> "This is truly devastating news," Howard Lincoln, the Mariners CEO, and
> Chuck Armstrong,
> Mariners president, said in a release from the team. "Speaking for
> ourselves, our
> ownership and the entire Mariners family, our thoughts and prayers are 
> with
> (wife)
> Marilyn, their children - Andy, Matt and Greta - and the grandchildren.
> "Dave has truly been the heart and soul of this franchise since its
> inception in
> 1977. Since calling Diego Segui's first-pitch strike on Opening Night in 
> the
> Kingdome
> some 34 years ago, Dave's voice has been the constant with the franchise. 
> He
> truly
> was the fans' connection to every game; to wins and losses; to great plays
> and heartbreaking
> defeats; to Hall of Famers and journeymen. With the exception of his love
> for his
> wife, Marilyn, his children and grandchildren, there was nothing Dave 
> liked
> more
> than the game of baseball and to be at the ballpark. He was the voice of
> spring and
> summer in the Northwest."
> Rick Rizzs, Niehaus' longtime partner was shocked by the news.
> "What a loss," Rizzs said. "Holy cow. I feel numb. He meant everything to
> Mariner
> baseball. Everything. He was not only the voice of the Mariners, he WAS 
> the
> Mariners.
> He was the face of the franchise. When you turned on the radio, everything
> was right
> with the world when you heard Dave's voice."
> Kevin Cremin, executive producer/engineer for Mariners radio broadcasts,
> said, "He
> was just the best at what he did. He was like a brother, or an uncle. I 
> felt
> related
> to him. Still do. There will never be another one. He broke the mold. He
> will be
> missed, my goodness."
> Former Mariners outfielder Jay Buhner worked with Niehaus in the booth and
> called
> him one of a kind.
> "Words can't describe what I am feeling right now," Buhner said. "This is
> the saddest
> day of my life. It is like I am losing a Dad, someone that was a father
> figure to
> me. ... He described everything with an art and painted a picture you 
> could
> see in
> your mind. I've had the honor of working with him as a player and also in
> the broadcast
> booth, and there was no one better. He was a consummate pro at everything 
> he
> did.
> I am going to miss everything about the guy - going to miss his face, his
> ugly white
> shoes and his awful sport coats."
> Eric Nadel is a Texas Rangers broadcaster.
> "Dave was a sensational announcer who never lost an ounce of his passion 
> for
> the
> game," Nadel said. "I loved driving home from our games listening to him 
> do
> the Mariners
> games from the West Coast on XM. He was a wonderful friend to me as well,
> really
> funny, and always willing to share his great wisdom and experience on the
> frequent
> occasions when I asked for his opinion or his help. I feel terrible for
> Dave's family,
> which I believe includes everyone whoever considered himself a Mariners
> fan."
> Gov. Chris Gregoire lamented the passing of one of the Northwest's icons.
> "Dave Niehaus will be remembered for his passion for all things baseball,
> high professional
> standards and gentlemanly conduct," Gregoire said in a statement. "Dave 
> was
> an institution
> here starting with the team's first pitch in 1977. With all due respect to
> the great
> Alvin Davis, Dave is 'Mr. Mariner.'
> "My thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family and friends. I hope they
> take comfort
> in knowing how many happy memories he created for hundreds of thousands of
> fans."
> King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, a longtime baseball fan,
> travels to
> Arizona regularly for spring training.
> "He was as much a Mariner icon as any player we've ever had," von 
> Reichbauer
> said.
> "He was not just the voice of the Mariners, he was the embodiment of the
> spirit of
> the Mariners.
> "Whether people were from Federal Way or from Yakima, they could connect
> with 'My,
> oh my.' He wasn't just a part of the baseball family, he was a part of the
> Washington
> State family.
> "I appreciated his friendship and his stories. I love spring training and
> you would
> always see Dave in Peoria, working the outfield, working the stands, 
> making
> that
> personal connection."
> Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin is also a baseball fan.
> "He was a great guy," Conlin said. "Somebody I listened to regularly over
> the years.
> My kids grew up with his voice. It's a great loss for our community."
> Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or
> lstone at seattletimes.com
> Related:
> Share your thoughts on the passing of Dave Niehaus
> Archive | Voices of the Game: Dave Niehaus
> Gallery | Dave Niehaus, Voice of the Mariners
> Copyright C The Seattle Times Company
>
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