The voice of the Seattle Mariners for over four decades

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From inventing sound effects in a remote studio to becoming a baseball legend, Rick Rizzs has defined the sound of Seattle baseball. Spanning 41 seasons with the Mariners, his career is a masterclass in longevity, marked by iconic catchphrases and a deep connection to the game.

Born in 1953, Richard Alfred Rizzs began his professional journey in the minor leagues. While broadcasting for teams like the Amarillo Gold Sox, he faced the challenge of remote broadcasts, where he had to manually recreate the sounds of crowd noise and batted balls while inventing strike and ball counts. During his early years, he worked for the Memphis Chicks and the Alexandria Aces. He also served as the sports director for WBNS-AM in Ohio.

Rizzs joined the Seattle Mariners in 1983, beginning a tenure that would last until his retirement after the 2026 season. He became the franchise's longest-tenured broadcaster, serving as the lead radio voice for his final 16 seasons. His career has been defined by his partnership with Dave Niehaus, whose signature calls Rizzs eventually adopted following Niehaus's death in November 2010. Before his return to Seattle, he spent time in Detroit as the voice of the Tigers. He was also the sports director at WJR.

His broadcasting style is punctuated by famous catchphrases, such as "Holy smokes!" for exciting plays and "Goodbye baseball!" for home runs. He has also been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the Washington Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and a planned induction into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2027. In 2024, he established Rick's Locker to provide sports gear to youngsters. He also co-founded a charity in 1995 to give Christmas presents to children.

Beyond the booth, Rizzs has demonstrated resilience through personal and physical challenges, including a 2023 ATV accident and a 2025 incident where he returned to the broadcast just one inning after being struck in the head by a foul ball. His legacy in Issaquah, Washington, includes a planned street named "Rick Rizzs Road." He once competed in a Girl Scout cookie eating contest in a shopping mall. Additionally, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2022.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The voice of the Dodgers: How Vin Scully defined baseball broadcasting for 67 years
• The man who called the most historic home runs in baseball history
• The voice of history: how one announcer captured baseball's most iconic moments
• The iconic voice behind six decades of sports history and the legendary Oh My
• The voice that defined the Yankees dynasty for over three decades
• Rodanthe is a tiny Outer Banks community that celebrates Christmas on January 6th
• The Riau Archipelago: A Strategic Crossroads Between Ancient Empires and Modern Maritime Lawlessness
• This tiny volcanic island in the Indian Ocean once heard the loudest sound ever
• The Republic of Hawaii was a four-year state led by a single president.
• Rotuma is a Polynesian island enclave that famously rejected the lure of mass tourism.
• Rarotonga is a volcanic summit rising five thousand metres from the deep ocean floor.
• From colonial training ship to independent force: the evolution of New Zealand's maritime power

More in Islands · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics