Beloved radio announcer Rick Rizzs will be the 12th person inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame.
Rizzs, 72, has served as a Mariners broadcaster for 41 of the team’s 50 seasons. He joined the franchise prior to the 1983 season and, except for a three-year stint when he succeeded Baseball Hall of Fame member Ernie Harwell with the Detroit Tigers, he has been the soundtrack of Mariners baseball ever since then.
The team made the announcement about Rizzs on Saturday night as part of the celebration of the franchise’s 50th anniversary.
“For most of the past two decades, Rick has been the Voice of the Mariners, with his energy, iconic calls, and love for our team and this community shining through every call he makes, and every interaction he has with a player, fan, or listener,” Mariners chairman John Stanton.
Rizzs will join Dave Niehaus, his former broadcast partner, in the Mariners Hall of Fame, making them the only two non-uniformed members. Niehaus was the lead broadcaster for Seattle for 34 seasons, from the club’s first game until his death before tbe 2011 season.
The other 10 members are outfielders Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki and Jay Buhner, pitchers Randy Johnson, Felix Hernandez and Jamie Moyer, designated hitter Edgar Martinez, first baseman Alvin Davis, catcher Dan Wilson and manager Lou Piniella.
–Field Level Media
