Rick Rizzs, who has spent 40 years regaling fans in the Northwest and across the country as the radio voice of the Mariners, announced Tuesday his plans to have the 2026 season be his final as the primary radio broadcaster for the club.
“I’ve been blessed to live my dream as a baseball play-by-play announcer for the past 51-seasons, including 43 amazing seasons calling Major League baseball, 40 with the Seattle Mariners, three with the Detroit Tigers and eight in the minor leagues,” Rizzs said. “I can honestly say I’ve loved every minute, from my 25 years with the great Dave Niehaus and my friend, producer-engineer Kevin Cremin to my current partners, Gary Hill and Aaron Goldsmith.”
“Calling Mariners games has been the highlight of my life and having the chance to connect with managers, coaches, players, clubhouse personnel, my colleagues in the booth, those in the front office, but especially the great fans here in the Pacific Northwest has made it unbelievably special.”
“I can’t thank them enough for the love and support they’ve given me all these years, but the reality is that the time has come for me to step back and spend more time at home with my grandkids.”
“So, with the support of those who have given me the opportunity to broadcast Mariners baseball all these years, I’m ready to let everyone know that the 2026 season will be my final year in the Mariners broadcast booth. I plan to broadcast the home games every day paired with a reduced schedule of road games. But, believe me, I’ll be on hand to be at every Postseason game all the way to the World Series!”
Rizzs, who celebrated his 72nd birthday on Nov. 17, was originally hired by the Mariners to pair with Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus in 1983. Rick spent nine years in Seattle (1983-91) prior to a brief three-year stint as the lead voice of the Detroit Tigers, where he replaced Hall of Fame award winner Ernie Harwell. Rick returned to Seattle for the magical 1995 season and has remained the voice of Seattle’s summer over the 30 years since. He is the longest-tenured broadcaster in club history, with his 40 seasons surpassing Niehaus’ 34-year career in Seattle.
“As we embark on our 50th season in 2026, the amazing Rick Rizzs will begin his 41st behind the mic calling our games. Truly some Happy Totals,” Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner John Stanton said. “Rick has become the Voice of the Mariners, and his iconic calls, energy and love for our team and this community shine through every call he makes, and every interaction he has with a player, fan, or listener. Fans in the Northwest, and all of us at the Mariners, have been blessed to have two of the great hometown radio broadcasters in baseball history call our games since the start of the franchise in 1977. We look forward to celebrating Rick throughout the 2026 season as he concludes an amazing, Hall of Fame caliber career.”
In addition to his broadcast work, Rick is also co-founder in 1995 of the non-profit Toys for Kids charity. Over the last 30 years, Toys for Kids has purchased brand new toys for over 360,000 kids in the Pacific Northwest during the Holiday season. In the past 10 years, Toys for Kids has awarded 80 $5,000 college scholarships in honor of co-founder Dave Henderson. And over the last few years TFK’s Rick’s Locker program makes sure that kids in need have a chance to receive a brand-new baseball glove and bat.
Toys for Kids is a year-round initiative that collaborates on other programs, including to provide support to unhoused mothers as they care for their children while working to find employment and housing, as well as assisting school children experiencing challenges with food scarcity and/or acquiring back-to-school basics.
Rick, who grew up on the South Side of Chicago, is a 1975 graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He began his broadcasting career with six seasons (1975-80) calling Double-A games for Alexandria, Amarillo, and Memphis. He became the sports director of WBNS radio in Columbus, Ohio in 1981 where he called Ohio State Football and Triple-A baseball for two seasons prior to being hired by Seattle.