Dave Niehaus
Encyclopedia
David Arnold Niehaus was an American
sportscaster
. He was the lead play-by-play announcer for the American League
's Seattle Mariners
from their inaugural season in until his death after the 2010 season. In 2008, the National Baseball Hall of Fame
awarded Niehaus with the Ford C. Frick Award
, the highest honor for American baseball broadcasters. Among fans nationwide and his peers, Niehaus was considered to be one of the finest sportscasters in history.
in 1957, entered the military, and began his broadcasting career with Armed Forces Radio. He became a partner of Dick Enberg
on the broadcast team of the California Angels
in 1969
. Niehaus also broadcast the Los Angeles Rams
of the NFL
and UCLA Bruins
football
and basketball
during this period.
, Danny Kaye
, part-owner of the expansion Seattle Mariners, recruited Niehaus to become the franchise's radio
voice. Despite working for a franchise who from its first year in 1977 until 1991
was without a winning season, his talent was recognizable, and Niehaus was considered one of the few attractions for Mariner fans. Even in the period before the team's memorable 1995
season, the Mariners were regularly one of the leading major-league teams in terms of the percentage of radios in use.
Niehaus became immensely popular in Seattle, twice being named Washington Sportscaster of the Year. The team chose him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the opening of its new ballpark, Safeco Field
, on July 15, 1999
. In 1999
, for Nintendo 64
, Niehaus was added to Ken Griffey, Jr.'s Slugfest as an announcer during gameplay.
In 2000
, he was the second figure to be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame. In , Niehaus was named the winner of the Ford C. Frick Award
, which recognizes career excellence in baseball broadcasting and is considered the highest baseball broadcasting honor.
As of the end of the 2007 season
, Niehaus had called 4,817 of the 4,899 games the Mariners had played since their inception.
May 7, 2009
, was Niehaus' 5,000th game as a Mariner broadcaster. Niehaus broadcast 5,284 of the 5,385 Mariners games, and intended to broadcast the complete 2011 season
.
(heart attack) at his Bellevue, Washington
, home on November 10, 2010, and died at age 75 while preparing to barbecue some ribs on his deck. Heart problems had forced Niehaus to undergo two angioplasties
in 1996
, causing him to give up smoking
and change his diet. He is survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. In a formal statement, Mariners Chairman Howard Lincoln and President Chuck Armstrong said "Dave has truly been the heart and soul of this franchise since its inception in 1977... He truly was the fans connection to every game."
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire
said "Today the Pacific Northwest lost one of its sports icons...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.'" At news of Niehaus's death, tributes came from Jay Buhner
, Ken Griffey, Jr.
, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn
, other Mariners broadcasters, and fans.
Prior to the Mariners' home opener in 2011 against the Cleveland Indians
the city of Seattle and King County declared that April 8 be “My oh My! Dave Niehaus day”. A successful petition drive by Mariners fans Glen Garnett and Mark Caylor got the city of Seattle to give the block of First Avenue S. between Edgar Martinez Dr. S. and S. Royal Brougham Way the honorary designation of Dave Niehaus Way S. Up in the press area at Safeco Field a sign was unveiled giving tribute to Niehaus as well.
As a tribute to the voice of the Seattle Mariners, Seattle MC, Macklemore
, released a song called "My Oh My" on December 22, 2010. It describes Niehaus's influence on not only Macklemore's childhood, but also on any and all from Seattle. It also features an audio clip from the winning call of the 1995 American League Division Series.
Macklemore performed the song for Opening Day 2011 at Safeco Field during the teams Tribute to the late broadcaster
was unveiled on Friday September 16th, 2011 at Safeco Field. Niehaus 's longtime broadcast partner Rick Rizzs
presided over a private ceremony to unveil the statue.
The statue depicts Niehaus at a desk, behind a microphone, wearing headphones with his Mariners scorebook in front of him. Niehaus is wearing a favorite necktie with tiny baseballs on it and a sport coat. He's holding a pencil in his right hand and wearing the 2001 All-Star Game ring on his left. The scorebook in front of him is open to the 1995 American League Division Series
game against the New York Yankees
. The pages are engraved with Niehaus’s actual notes and scoring of the game. The scorebook is so detailed, you even see the word "Unbelievable" scribbled -- and misspelled -- at the top in Niehaus's handwriting. One person in attendance said Niehaus often misspelled the word because he was writing so fast. "That's unreal," said former Mariner Jay Buhner
as he looked at the artistry. That game was won when Edgar Martinez
hit a double down the left field line and Ken Griffey Jr. slid into home.
Artist Lou Cella looked at dozens of photos before creating the piece, which was first sculpted in clay, then cast in bronze. There is an empty seat next to the statue, so fans can sit next to Niehaus and pose for photos.
The statue is located on the Main Concourse near Section 105 in right centerfield.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
. He was the lead play-by-play announcer for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
's Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
from their inaugural season in until his death after the 2010 season. In 2008, the National Baseball Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
awarded Niehaus with the Ford C. Frick Award
Ford C. Frick Award
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." It is named for Ford Christopher Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball...
, the highest honor for American baseball broadcasters. Among fans nationwide and his peers, Niehaus was considered to be one of the finest sportscasters in history.
Early life and career
Niehaus graduated from Indiana UniversityIndiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
in 1957, entered the military, and began his broadcasting career with Armed Forces Radio. He became a partner of Dick Enberg
Dick Enberg
Richard Alan "Dick" Enberg is an American sportscaster. He currently provides play-by-play for telecasts of San Diego Padres baseball on 4SD, following a long career calling various sports for such networks as NBC, CBS, and ESPN...
on the broadcast team of the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in 1969
1969 California Angels season
The California Angels season was a season in American baseball. In the first season following the split of the American League into two divisions, the Angels finished third in the newly-established American League West with a record of 71 wins and 91 losses....
. Niehaus also broadcast the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
of the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins are the sports teams for University of California, Los Angeles . The Bruin men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Pacific-12 Conference and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation . For football, they are in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I...
football
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
and basketball
UCLA Bruins men's basketball
The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program, established in 1920, owns a record 11 Division I NCAA championships. UCLA teams coached by John Wooden won 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975, including 7 straight from 1967 to 1973. UCLA went undefeated a record 4 times, in 1964, 1967,...
during this period.
Seattle Mariners
In 19771977 Seattle Mariners season
The 1977 Seattle Mariners season was the first season in franchise history. The creation of the Mariners brought baseball back to Seattle, which had been devoid of baseball since the Seattle Pilots left for Milwaukee to become the Brewers following the 1969 season...
, Danny Kaye
Danny Kaye
Danny Kaye was a celebrated American actor, singer, dancer, and comedian...
, part-owner of the expansion Seattle Mariners, recruited Niehaus to become the franchise's radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
voice. Despite working for a franchise who from its first year in 1977 until 1991
1991 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 1991 season was their 15th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 5th in the American League West, finishing with a record of 83-79. It was the first above-.500 season in franchise history.-Regular season:...
was without a winning season, his talent was recognizable, and Niehaus was considered one of the few attractions for Mariner fans. Even in the period before the team's memorable 1995
1995 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners' 1995 season was the 19th in the history of the franchise. The team finished with a regular season record of 79–66, tying the California Angels for first in the American League West...
season, the Mariners were regularly one of the leading major-league teams in terms of the percentage of radios in use.
Niehaus became immensely popular in Seattle, twice being named Washington Sportscaster of the Year. The team chose him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the opening of its new ballpark, Safeco Field
Safeco Field
Safeco Field is a retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle, Washington. The stadium, owned and operated by the Washington-King County Stadium Authority, is the home stadium of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball and has a seating capacity of 47,878 for baseball...
, on July 15, 1999
1999 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 1999 season was their 23rd since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 3rd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 79-83. In July, they moved into Safeco Field, replacing the Kingdome as their home...
. In 1999
1999 in video gaming
-Events:*British Academy of Film and Television Arts hosts the 2nd annual BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards*March – Game Over republished as “Game Over: Press Start to Continue”...
, for Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
, Niehaus was added to Ken Griffey, Jr.'s Slugfest as an announcer during gameplay.
In 2000
2000 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners' 2000 season was the franchise's 24th, and ended with the Mariners losing the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees in 6 games....
, he was the second figure to be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame. In , Niehaus was named the winner of the Ford C. Frick Award
Ford C. Frick Award
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." It is named for Ford Christopher Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball...
, which recognizes career excellence in baseball broadcasting and is considered the highest baseball broadcasting honor.
As of the end of the 2007 season
2007 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners' 2007 season was their 31st in franchise history, and has started with the Mariners trying to win their first AL West title since they tied the MLB record for wins in a season in the 2001...
, Niehaus had called 4,817 of the 4,899 games the Mariners had played since their inception.
May 7, 2009
2009 Seattle Mariners season
The 2009 Seattle Mariners season was the 33rd season in franchise history. They improved upon a disappointing 2008 season, where they finished last in the American League West with a 61-101 record. They finished 3rd in the AL West with an 85-77 record, a 24 win improvement. The 2009 Mariners...
, was Niehaus' 5,000th game as a Mariner broadcaster. Niehaus broadcast 5,284 of the 5,385 Mariners games, and intended to broadcast the complete 2011 season
2011 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners season was the 35th season in franchise history. Their last playoff appearance was Ten Years ago.-Coaching changes:Daren Brown, the Seattle Mariners interim manager during the 2010 season, stated that he had interest in returning as the full-time manager in 2011...
.
Notable catchphrases
Niehaus is noted for using the following catchphrases on Mariner broadcasts:- "My, oh my!" - a variant of former Angels partner Enberg's "Oh, my!", used for big, exciting plays.
- "Swung on and belted!" - used on long fly balls that may go over the wall for a home run.
- "It will fly away!" (sometimes "Fly, fly away!") - used for home runs.
- "Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it is grand salami time!" - used for a grand slam home run by a Mariners player.
- "The Mariners have erupted!" - used during scoring outbursts
Notable nicknames
- "A-Rod" - first to call Alex RodriguezAlex RodriguezAlexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
"A-Rod" - "Death to Flying Things" - first to call Franklin GutiérrezFranklin GutiérrezFranklin Rafael Gutiérrez , nicknamed "Guti" & "Death To Flying Things", is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Seattle Mariners...
by his current nickname - "The Kid" - Niehaus's name for Ken Griffey, Jr.Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
Notable calls
Death
Niehaus suffered a myocardial infarctionMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
(heart attack) at his Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue is a city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States, across Lake Washington from Seattle. Long known as a suburb or satellite city of Seattle, it is now categorized as an edge city or a boomburb. The population was 122,363 at the 2010 census.Downtown Bellevue is...
, home on November 10, 2010, and died at age 75 while preparing to barbecue some ribs on his deck. Heart problems had forced Niehaus to undergo two angioplasties
Angioplasty
Angioplasty is the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel, the latter typically being a result of atherosclerosis. An empty and collapsed balloon on a guide wire, known as a balloon catheter, is passed into the narrowed locations and then inflated to a fixed size...
in 1996
1996 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 1996 season was their 20th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing second in the American League West,with a record of 85-76, five games behind the first place Texas Rangers. The Mariners scored more runs during the 1996 regular season than any other MLB...
, causing him to give up smoking
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
and change his diet. He is survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. In a formal statement, Mariners Chairman Howard Lincoln and President Chuck Armstrong said "Dave has truly been the heart and soul of this franchise since its inception in 1977... He truly was the fans connection to every game."
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire
Christine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
said "Today the Pacific Northwest lost one of its sports icons...Dave was an institution here starting with the team's first pitch in 1977. With all due respect to the great Alvin Davis
Alvin Davis
Alvin Glenn Davis , nicknamed "Mr. Mariner", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. Davis played his career primarily for the Seattle Mariners...
, Dave is 'Mr. Mariner.'" At news of Niehaus's death, tributes came from Jay Buhner
Jay Buhner
Jay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He was among the most recognizable players of his day, noted for his shaved head, thick goatee, and patch of pine tar on the right hip of his uniform...
, Ken Griffey, Jr.
Ken Griffey, Jr.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn
Michael McGinn
Michael "Mike" Patrick McGinn is the mayor of Seattle, a lawyer, Greenwood neighborhood activist and a former Sierra Club state chair...
, other Mariners broadcasters, and fans.
Prior to the Mariners' home opener in 2011 against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
the city of Seattle and King County declared that April 8 be “My oh My! Dave Niehaus day”. A successful petition drive by Mariners fans Glen Garnett and Mark Caylor got the city of Seattle to give the block of First Avenue S. between Edgar Martinez Dr. S. and S. Royal Brougham Way the honorary designation of Dave Niehaus Way S. Up in the press area at Safeco Field a sign was unveiled giving tribute to Niehaus as well.
As a tribute to the voice of the Seattle Mariners, Seattle MC, Macklemore
Macklemore
Ben Haggerty, known by his stage name Macklemore, is a hip hop artist based in Seattle, Washington. Macklemore works with Ryan Lewis Andrew Joslyn , Owour Arunga , Zach Fleury , and Noah Goldberg...
, released a song called "My Oh My" on December 22, 2010. It describes Niehaus's influence on not only Macklemore's childhood, but also on any and all from Seattle. It also features an audio clip from the winning call of the 1995 American League Division Series.
Macklemore performed the song for Opening Day 2011 at Safeco Field during the teams Tribute to the late broadcaster
Enshrined in Bronze at Safeco Field
A bronze statue of Niehauswas unveiled on Friday September 16th, 2011 at Safeco Field. Niehaus 's longtime broadcast partner Rick Rizzs
Rick Rizzs
Rick Rizzs is an American sportscaster and is the lead radio voice for Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners.-Early life and career:Rizzs is a 1975 graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. From 1975 to 1980, he handled baseball play-by-play duties at the double-A level for...
presided over a private ceremony to unveil the statue.
The statue depicts Niehaus at a desk, behind a microphone, wearing headphones with his Mariners scorebook in front of him. Niehaus is wearing a favorite necktie with tiny baseballs on it and a sport coat. He's holding a pencil in his right hand and wearing the 2001 All-Star Game ring on his left. The scorebook in front of him is open to the 1995 American League Division Series
1995 American League Division Series
-Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, Tuesday, October 3:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OhioAfter a 39-minute rain delay, Game 1 got underway with two veterans, Roger Clemens and Dennis Martínez, starting the opener. The Red Sox jumped in front first in the third on John Valentin's two run...
game against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. The pages are engraved with Niehaus’s actual notes and scoring of the game. The scorebook is so detailed, you even see the word "Unbelievable" scribbled -- and misspelled -- at the top in Niehaus's handwriting. One person in attendance said Niehaus often misspelled the word because he was writing so fast. "That's unreal," said former Mariner Jay Buhner
Jay Buhner
Jay Campbell Buhner , nicknamed "Bone", is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He was among the most recognizable players of his day, noted for his shaved head, thick goatee, and patch of pine tar on the right hip of his uniform...
as he looked at the artistry. That game was won when Edgar Martinez
Edgar Martinez
Edgar Martínez , nicknamed "Gar" and "Papi", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and designated hitter. He spent his entire 18-year Major League career with the Seattle Mariners. He is the cousin of Carmelo Martínez.-Seattle Mariners:On December 19, 1982, the Seattle Mariners signed...
hit a double down the left field line and Ken Griffey Jr. slid into home.
Artist Lou Cella looked at dozens of photos before creating the piece, which was first sculpted in clay, then cast in bronze. There is an empty seat next to the statue, so fans can sit next to Niehaus and pose for photos.
The statue is located on the Main Concourse near Section 105 in right centerfield.