Longtime Mariners Announcer Rizzs to Retire after 2026 Season

Rick Rizzs, the voice of the Mariners for 40 years, will call it a career after the 2026 season.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:15pm

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Rick Rizzs, who has spent 40 years as the radio voice of the Seattle Mariners, announced that the 2026 season will be his final year as the team's primary broadcaster. Rizzs, who is 72 years old, plans to broadcast home games every day and a reduced schedule of road games during his final season before retiring.

Why it matters

Rizzs has become an iconic figure in the Pacific Northwest, connecting with Mariners fans for over four decades. His retirement will mark the end of an era for the franchise, as he and the late Dave Niehaus have been the two primary radio voices since the team's inception in 1977.

The details

Rizzs was originally hired by the Mariners in 1983 to pair with Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus. He spent nine years in Seattle before a brief three-year stint with the Detroit Tigers. Rizzs returned to Seattle for the magical 1995 season and has remained the voice of the Mariners ever since, becoming the longest-tenured broadcaster in club history with 40 seasons, surpassing Niehaus' 34-year career.

  • Rizzs was originally hired by the Mariners in 1983.
  • Rizzs spent nine years in Seattle from 1983 to 1991.
  • Rizzs had a three-year stint as the lead voice of the Detroit Tigers.
  • Rizzs returned to Seattle for the 1995 season and has remained the voice of the Mariners ever since.
  • Rizzs will retire after the 2026 season, his 40th with the Mariners.

The players

Rick Rizzs

A 72-year-old radio broadcaster who has spent 40 years as the voice of the Seattle Mariners, becoming an iconic figure in the Pacific Northwest.

Dave Niehaus

A Hall of Fame broadcaster who was the other primary radio voice of the Mariners since the team's inception in 1977, working alongside Rizzs for many years.

John Stanton

The Mariners' Chairman and Managing Partner, who praised Rizzs' contributions to the team and the community.

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What they’re saying

“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. 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.”

— Rick Rizzs (koze.com)

“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.”

— Rick Rizzs (koze.com)

“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. 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.”

— John Stanton, Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner (koze.com)

What’s next

The Mariners organization plans to celebrate Rizzs throughout the 2026 season as he concludes his Hall of Fame caliber career.

The takeaway

Rick Rizzs' retirement after the 2026 season will mark the end of an era for the Seattle Mariners, as he and the late Dave Niehaus have been the two primary radio voices of the franchise since its inception in 1977. Rizzs' iconic calls, energy, and connection with the community have made him an integral part of Mariners baseball for four decades.