The baseball world lost another great ambassador today, with the passing of legendary announcer Dave Niehaus, at age 75. Niehaus called Seattle Mariners games from their first game in 1977 until his death. However, Niehaus also had local ties as well.
↵Niehaus called California Angels games from 1969 to 1976, along with Dick Enberg and Don Drysdale. He also broadcast UCLA football and basketball from 1973 to 1976, also teaming with Enberg. In addition, Niehaus called Dodgers games for Armed Forces Radio in the 1960s. He received the Ford C. Frick Award in 2008, placing him in the broadcasters wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
↵Thanks to MLB Extra Innings, I had the pleasure of hearing Niehaus call several games over the last decade or so. He had a very distinctive style, and I can hear his voice in my head as he said, "Swung on and belted" after a home run. Or perhaps, if I was lucky enough to hear a grand slam hit by the Mariners, Niehaus would say his signature, "get out the rye bread and the mustard grandma, it's grand salami time."
↵Farewell, Mr. Niehaus. The world lost a great broadcaster today.
↵For more news on the passing of Niehaus, be sure to keep tabs on the SB Nation Mariners blog Lookout Landing.