04/19/24
November 11, 2010
Another legend passes: While Dave Niehaus was not as well known as Scully, Buck and Gowdy, he was the voice that introduced the Pacific Northwest to Major League Baseball since the inception of the Seattle Mariners.
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posted by tommybiden at 12:58 PM on November 11, 2010
I can't let this one go with only a period. As a NW native I grew up on Dave Niehaus' eloquent and beautiful play calling. I picked up my paper today and my eyes welled with tears. I have lost a friend, one who would describe to me a scene at a ballpark so vivid I could smell the grass and feel the sun on my face. He was the only voice of the Mariners for the history of the franchise and he did indeed teach many who live here the finer points of the game. We all listened to him in the summer and were truly spoiled by the passion and uniqueness he brought to the booth. Obviously for many of us he was one of the only reasons to keep tuning in to Mariners broadcasts and was indeed the best part of the game. I am truly, truly saddened by this news.
Fly, fly away, Dave. I will miss you.
posted by THX-1138 at 01:26 PM on November 11, 2010
I had the privilege of working in Seattle on several occasions, and I truly enjoyed listening to Dave Niehaus' work. He understood the game and how it should be played. More to the point, he understood what the game meant. One thing I remember about him goes back to 1995, when Edgar and Tino Martinez were playing for the Mariners. The getaway day afternoon games started at noon, and Niehaus christened them "the 2 Martinez lunch". A clever turn of phrase, and one that has always stuck with me. I can yet hear that gravel voice in my head.
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posted by Howard_T at 03:35 PM on November 11, 2010
"Break out the rye bread and the mustard, Gramma, it's Grand Salami Time!"
One of the all time great home run catch phrases (obviously for a grand slam). I can hear him in my mind.
"That ball is BELTED...to DEEEP center field...And it will......FLY AWAY!"
Here's my period.
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posted by THX-1138 at 03:42 PM on November 11, 2010
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posted by irunfromclones at 04:20 PM on November 11, 2010
What a loss. He was great and one of the most solid connections to that strange ephemeral nebula of romance that is baseball. Hats off.
Makes me think about the time Tom Cheek died, who like Dave was not a national icon, but a local one (and also called every game from 1977 on for the sister expansion franchise that I follow). I'm always a bit astounded that his voice still narrates my daydreams. The relationship between a young baseball fan and his/her announcer is one of the best things about the game.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:07 PM on November 11, 2010
What a loss. He was great and one of the most solid connections to that strange ephemeral nebula of romance that is baseball. Hats off.
Makes me think about the time Tom Cheek died, who like Dave was not a national icon, but a local one (and also called every game from 1977 on for the sister expansion franchise that I follow). I'm always a bit astounded that his voice still narrates my daydreams. The relationship between a young baseball fan and his/her announcer is one of the best things about the game.
Perfect.
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posted by tommybiden at 06:15 PM on November 11, 2010
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