Iconic broadcaster Rick Rizzs to join Mariners Hall of Fame

SEATTLE – Seattle Mariners fans have been listening to the soothing tones of Rick Rizzs’s voice for decades.

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The longtime team play-by-play voice has become just as recognizable as many of the franchise’s on-the-field icons in his team-record 41 years calling games.

Now, Rizzs is set to be immortalized by the organization he’s poured so much into.

Mariners chairman John Stanton announced Saturday during the team’s 50 Seasons Celebration Night that Rizzs will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2027.

“For most of the past two decades, Rick has been the voice of the Mariners, with his energy, iconic calls, and love for our team and this community shining through every call he makes, and every interaction he has with a player, fan, or listener,” Stanton said. “We are celebrating our 50th season today, and the amazing Rick Rizzs has been behind the mic calling our games for 41 of those seasons. He’s always been a Hall of Fame broadcaster, and we look forward to making it official next season as he joins his longtime partner and friend Dave Niehaus as the only two non-uniformed members of the Mariners Hall of Fame.”

“This is the most incredible night of my life. I appreciate it so much,” Rizzs said following the announcement.

Holy smokes 🎙️

Next season, legendary broadcaster Rick Rizzs will become the 12th member of the Mariners Hall of Fame. #Mariners50 pic.twitter.com/dKN12ApPKA

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 9, 2026

The 72-year-old Rizzs, who earlier this year announced he will retire after this season, will join Niehaus as the only broadcasters in the Mariners Hall of Fame. He will be the first new member since former ace Félix Hernández was inducted in 2023.

Rizzs first joined the Mariners’ broadcast team in 1983 and has spent just about all of his career in the Pacific Northwest since. He left for a brief stint with Detroit Tigers in 1992 but returned to Seattle in 1995 just in time for the season that’s credited for saving baseball in the region.

Rizzs has been known for his many trademark calls during his time calling Mariners games from “Holy smokes!” to “Goodbye, baseball!” and many more.

In 2017, Rizzs received the Keith Jackson Award from the Seattle Sports Commission for excellence in communicating the sports stories of Washington state.

A Chicago native, Rizzs graduated from Southern Illinois University. He began his broadcasting career calling Double-A games 1975. In 1981, he was hired as sports director for WBNS in Columbus, Ohio, where he called Ohio State football games.

Rizzs has spent time on both the television and radio calls during his many years with the Mariners. He has been the lead radio play-by-play voice since 2007.

In addition to being the voice of the Mariners, Rizzs has given back to the community through his Toys For Kids foundation, a non-profit organization that provides Christmas presents for area children in need.

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