Win it for Rizzs: Seattle legend reflects on career, title hopes before swan song

SEATTLE -- Rick Rizzs knew the waterworks would come eventually on Wednesday morning. He just hoped he could’ve held out a little longer.

Such were the stakes for the longtime voice of the Mariners, who one day earlier formally announced that the 2026 season would be his last in the broadcast booth and who was the center of a press conference at T-Mobile Park to share his favorite stories through 40 seasons in Seattle.

“I've had the greatest life in the world,” Rizzs told the assembled group. “This has been truly a joy. Lou Gehrig said it best, ‘I'm the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.’ Well, you're looking at a guy who's now 72 years old that has been fortunate enough to live his dream. I hope everybody in this room is living their dream.”

Rizzs spent much of the morning echoing the gratitude that is rooted in the very fabric of his character, made up of traits that are unapologetically positive and wholeheartedly organic. That upbeat personality, buoyed by the belief that good things will always come -- on and off the baseball field -- is largely why he’s remained a loyal member to the organization and a favorite among his listeners.

“His legacy is much more than being the voice of the team,” Mariners chairman and managing partner John Stanton said. “His legacy is the relationships he's formed with the fans, with the players. ... We deeply, deeply appreciated everything he's done, and we'll be celebrating him [throughout] the year.”

Rizzs hinted on Wednesday that he’d considered walking away after last season but ultimately opted to come back given how close the Mariners came to reaching their first World Series -- and with the chance to share his final hurrah with the public. He’s expected to call all 81 home games but will have an abbreviated road schedule. And he will be at Spring Training in just two weeks in Arizona.

“We’re going to get to the World Series this year,” Rizzs said, “and we’re going to win it this year.”

In front of the many prominent organizational figures -- including Stanton, catcher Cal Raleigh and manager Dan Wilson -- Rizzs doubled down on his determined optimism.

“I'm not putting any pressure on you, Dan, because everybody in that clubhouse believes it,” Rizzs said. “Because we were so close last year, we're going to get there and we're going to win the World Series.”

Also in attendance was Marilyn Niehaus, widow of Mariners Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus, who was Rizzs’ partner in the broadcast booth for 25 years -- and more so, his best friend and mentor.

“He taught me so much about broadcasting,” Rizzs said of Niehaus, who passed away in 2010. “And we had some lean years here, as you know, until the boys in 1995 got together and saved baseball here.”

Those close to Rizzs know his story, yet all these years later, it’s a remarkable tale of opportunity and loyalty.

Rizzs first joined the Mariners in 1983 via Niehaus’ backing to then-owner George Argyros, then spent eight seasons here before taking the lead play-by-play job with the Tigers. But in Detroit, Rizzs was replacing Hall of Famer Ernie Harwell, which didn’t lead to a soft landing and he struggled to find his footing. That re-opened the door with the Mariners in 1995, and he’s been here ever since.

“At 72 you start to think, ‘OK, what do I want to do with the rest of my life? What is the next chapter going to look like?’” Rizzs said. “I love coming to the ballpark every day. ... I still want to be associated with the ballclub in some way.

“I want to promote this ballclub, because it's the best team in baseball. It's the best organization in the Major Leagues, best ballpark, best fans in baseball.”