Rick Rizzs, the longtime radio voice of the Seattle Mariners and one of the most recognizable figures in Pacific Northwest sports media, announced that the 2026 season will be his final year as the club’s primary radio play-by-play broadcaster, closing a career that has spanned more than five decades behind the microphone.
Rizzs, who joined the Mariners in 1983, said the decision reflects a desire to spend more time with family after 40 seasons calling games in Seattle and 43 years broadcasting Major League Baseball overall. While he plans to remain active throughout the 2026 season, his schedule will be adjusted, with a full slate of home games and a reduced number of road broadcasts.
“I’ve been blessed to live my dream as a baseball play-by-play announcer for the past 51 seasons,” Rizzs said. “Calling Mariners games has been the highlight of my life, and the connection with fans across the Northwest has made it unbelievably special.”
The announcement comes as the Mariners prepare to celebrate their 50th season in 2026, a milestone that will now double as a yearlong farewell tour for a broadcaster widely viewed as the franchise’s signature voice. Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner John Stanton described Rizzs as an essential part of the organization’s identity, noting the consistency and passion he has brought to the booth across four decades.
“Rick has become the Voice of the Mariners,” Stanton said. “His energy, iconic calls and genuine love for this community shine through every broadcast. We look forward to celebrating him throughout the 2026 season as he concludes a Hall of Fame-caliber career.”
Rizzs’ tenure in Seattle includes two distinct chapters. After nine seasons with the club from 1983 to 1991, he spent three years as the lead radio voice of the Detroit Tigers before returning to Seattle for the memorable 1995 season. Since then, he has remained a constant presence through multiple eras of Mariners baseball, ultimately becoming the longest-tenured broadcaster in franchise history.
Beyond the booth, Rizzs has built an extensive legacy through community service. In 1995, he co-founded the Toys for Kids nonprofit, which has provided new toys to more than 360,000 children in the Pacific Northwest during the holiday season. The organization has also awarded college scholarships and expanded programming to support families facing housing insecurity, food scarcity and limited access to basic school supplies.
A native of Chicago’s South Side, Rizzs is a 1975 graduate of Southern Illinois University. He began his broadcasting career in minor league baseball before serving as sports director at WBNS Radio in Columbus, Ohio, where he called Ohio State football and Triple-A baseball. That path ultimately led him to Seattle, where his voice became synonymous with summer nights and Mariners baseball.
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