RIP, Seattle Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus – 1935-2010

niehausandcompany.jpg

In August 2008, the King County Council paid tribute to Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus, and we published this photo with a short item, even noting the only West Seattle link was the fact that then-County Councilmember Dow Constantine is a WS resident. Glad to have the photo so that we too can offer our tribute to the longtime Seattle Mariners announcer, who died today at age 75; here’s a report from our partners at the Seattle Times. On the day the above photo was taken, Mr. Niehaus was quoted as saying, “”Those magic moments of 1995 will return to Safeco Field. I promise you, they will return.” Maybe they will – sadly he won’t be here to see it.

ADDED 7:35 PM: A statement from Mayor McGinn:

‘My oh My’ – Seattle Lost a Friend Today: Seattle has lost a friend. We invited him into our homes and he was with us when we were joyful about the Mariners and when we were sad. Dave Niehaus will be sorely missed. From now on, there will be just two eras of Mariner baseball: the Dave Niehaus era and everything else. We send our condolences to his family and hope they are comforted by the happiness he brought to our lives.

Governor Gregoire also has issued a statement; we’re told 34th District Democrats chair Tim Nuse shared one of his memories at the start of his group’s meeting tonight in Fauntleroy; and there’s word that people are gathering for an informal vigil outside Safeco Field tonight.

ADDED 9:55 PM: From County Executive Constantine:

King County Executive Dow Constantine tonight joins Mariners nation in mourning the loss of Hall of Fame broadcaster and Mariners icon Dave Niehaus:

“I loved listening to Dave Niehaus from the Mariners’ very first season. His evocative descriptions and obvious love of the game will forever be intertwined with my experience of baseball.

“The timbre and cadence of his calls had a musical quality that will echo in our collective memory for many seasons to come.

“I join all fans in mourning his loss and extending our sympathies to his family.”

9 Replies to "RIP, Seattle Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus - 1935-2010"

  • pam November 10, 2010 (7:30 pm)

    So sad….. he will be missed.

  • pigeon hill jim November 10, 2010 (8:07 pm)

    I feel like a lost a favorite uncle. The soundtrack to my kids lives, every baseball season has been play by play from a disembodied voice coming from the kitchen radio and that voice was Dave Niehaus. That will be a big microphone to fill. Thanks Uncle Dave.

  • Anonymous November 10, 2010 (8:35 pm)

    Dave, You will be missed…You were a great man with baseball in your heart…Love you

  • OP November 10, 2010 (9:00 pm)

    An even sadder end to a sad season. My, oh my, you will be missed, Mr. Niehaus.

  • Pete November 10, 2010 (9:31 pm)

    My Oh MY…..RIP Dave Niehaus you will be missed by baseball fans across Major League Baseball for years to come.

  • onceachef November 10, 2010 (9:41 pm)

    Yes, Dave, “Fly Away” to a grand baseball field beyond…you are one of the greats and one of the best reasons to be a Mariner’s fan!

  • viclee November 10, 2010 (11:07 pm)

    54646464

  • T-Rex November 11, 2010 (8:13 am)

    I saw a sign at Safeco this morning and it said “The Field of Dreams has a New Voice.”

    Can’t say it any better than that.

  • PeterT November 11, 2010 (2:56 pm)

    I grew up listening to Mel Allen and Red Barber. Dave was right there with them with that voice, and that way of drawing you into the game. All you needed was a radio.

    So sad that he never got the chance to broadcast the Ms in the World Series.

    Here’s hoping maybe he can put in a few words with the Man upstairs about that post-season drought….

Sorry, comment time is over.