Cal Raleigh made his way up to the press box before a recent game at T-Mobile Park, lugging a large box with him.
The Seattle Mariners catcher poked his head into the home radio booth, where announcer Rick Rizzs was preparing for one of the final games of his 41-year career with the franchise.
Raleigh opened the box to unveil a custom chest protector with a collage of photos of Rizzs, one with Ken Griffey Jr. and another with late broadcast partner Dave Niehaus, with the words “Holy Smokes,” Rizzs’ catchphrase.
Raleigh told Rizzs he plans to wear the equipment this weekend against the Los Angeles Angels in the final games of the season.
“Oh, my gosh,” Rizzs said, covering his mouth.
It was one of few times Rizzs has been at a loss for words.
“After I’m done wearing it you get to keep it,” Raleigh told Rizzs in a video the Mariners shared on social media.
The clip ended with Rizzs hugging Raleigh and telling him, “You’re the best.”
After falling one game short of their first World Series appearance last season, the Mariners had high hopes in their 50th anniversary season to send Rizzs out with a bang.
It won’t happen, as the Mariners (74-86) were eliminated from playoff contention in the American League West on Thursday.
So Rizzs, 72, will call his final game Sunday afternoon. Just the thought of it makes him tear up.
“I’m a crybaby,” he admitted. “I cry at Hallmark commercials.”
The Angels (62-98) have won the first two games of the series and need one more victory this weekend to avoid the first 100-loss season in franchise history, which dates to 1961.
Reid Detmers pitched six scoreless innings and Christian Moore and Zach Neto homered in Friday’s 7-5 victory.
“That was a good way to end it,” said Detmers, who returned to the rotation this season. “There’s a lot of good to look back on. And to do it against a pretty good team in their home ballpark. It’s a good feeling.”
Detmers finished 7-8 with a 3.36 ERA and 211 strikeouts, the first Angels left-hander to fan more than 200 since Chuck Finley in 1999.
“We talked about his journey,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “Being such a good starter early in his career, having struggles and then moving to the bullpen last year. And now, becoming one of the best starters in the game. It’s a credit to him and his work ethic.”
Saturday’s pitching matchup will feature Angels right-hander Ryan Johnson (5-9, 4.93 ERA) against Mariners rookie lefty Kade Anderson (2-2, 4.18).
Johnson is coming off an 8-0 loss to visiting Minnesota on Sunday, when he allowed three runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. In his start before that, he beat the visiting Mariners 2-1 by giving up one run in six innings. Johnson is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three career appearances against Seattle, with two starts.
Anderson pitched seven scoreless innings Sunday in a 2-1 victory at Colorado, when he gave up three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. He lost 6-4 at Anaheim on Sept. 14 when he was battered for five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
