The Seattle Mariners’ fan base surely remembers the iconic voices from the broadcasting booth during the team’s first-ever AL West division title in 1995. Dave Niehaus, one of the two voices from that booth, passed away in 2010. The other half, Rick Rizzs, is currently in his 41st and final season as the Mariners’ radio voice. This historic final run culminated in a highly emotional weekend for the beloved broadcaster.

Just as Rizzs will bid adieu to his Mariners booth after this season, the team inducted him into the Hall of Fame, leaving the legendary voice in tears in front of a packed house at T-Mobile Park on Saturday.

“This is the most incredible night of my life,” Rizzs said as he announced his retirement. “I appreciate you so much. What a great privilege this has been for 41 years, especially to go in with my partner. Dave Niehaus, who taught me many lessons from the day I showed up in 1983. I just want to say thank you to the fans. You guys took me in 1983, and because of you, I tried my best to prepare for every game.”

Rizzs noted that Niehaus taught him invaluable lessons from the day he first arrived in 1983.

It was in January this season that Rizzs announced that 2026 will be his last as the M’s broadcaster, ending his 52nd season in pro baseball. Being the longest-tenured broadcaster for the team, the day was remarkable for another reason, too.

It was the Seattle Mariners’ 50th season celebration. Rizzs joined Niehaus in the Mariners Hall of Fame as the second non-uniformed member. This induction will take place on another special occasion.

There will be a special pregame ceremony next season at T-Mobile Park, of course, provided the season doesn’t end up in a lockout.

Rizzs originally covered Ohio State football before Seattle hired him, and he stayed for nine seasons before moving to Detroit to become the Tigers’ leading voice in 1992.

He returned to Seattle for the 1995 season, locking in his status as the definitive voice of the franchise. And now, fans will also have the opportunity to honor the legend.

On Tuesday, the team announced that they would hold a Rick Rizzs Farewell Weekend during their final series of the 2026 regular season. During the 4-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, the final 3 games will be dedicated to honoring Rizzs’ tenure in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s how the schedule would look during the weekend:

• September 25: Fans can stay back after the game for postgame fireworks to honor Rick Rizzs. Framers Insurance will do a show where fans can participate with their cell phone light show.
• September 26: The broadcaster will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the game.
• September 27: This will be marked as Rick Rizzs Celebration Day. Fans will be given special Rick Rizzs placards to honor him. If you buy the tickets through the online ticket special, there will be a special Mariners x Rick Rizzs T-Shirt designed with his catchphrase “Holy Smokes” on the front. Throughout that final game on Sunday, Rizzs will be celebrated with special salutes.

Fans can also leave messages for the broadcaster through the M’s “Holy Smokes Hotline.” The number to call is: 206-346-4299. Share your memory of Rick Rizzs’ career with the franchise.

Thinking of those stories, his legendary return season produced the most iconic radio call of his entire broadcasting career.

That one call that cemented Rizzs’ name in Mariners’ history

During the 1995 AL West tiebreaker game against the California Angels, Seattle led 1-0 in the seventh inning with the bases loaded. Luis Sojo hit a ground ball past first baseman J.T. Snow down the right-field line.

As runners scrambled around the bases and fielding miscues compounded the panic, Rizzs yelled out the most memorable phrase of his career.

“Here comes Blowers! Here comes Tino! Here comes Joey! The throw to the plate cut off, the relay… gets on by! Cora scores! Here comes Sojo, he scores! EVERYBODY SCORES!”

That historic energy earned him the loudest ovation during a recent franchise celebration. The Mariners formally honored Rizzs during their Alumni Home Run Derby event, which celebrated the 50 greatest figures in franchise history.

Mariners chairman John Stanton noted that Rizzs’s energy, iconic calls, and love for the community made him the true Voice of the Mariners for decades.

“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,” Stanton said, leaving Rizzs teary-eyed. “On behalf of our family, I can’t thank you enough for becoming the shortest member of the Mariners Hall of Fame.”

Holy Smokes!

That started 50 years ago when Rizzs was calling minor league games in Louisiana and Texas.

“Harry Caray always did ‘holy cow’ and Milo Hamilton ‘holy toledo.’ And so just ‘holy smokes’ came up!” said Rizzs back in 2017. “You don’t want to be like anybody else. You wanna have your own calls, especially your home run call. That one just felt good. Just puts the exclamation point on something important in the ballgame.”

He also noted that the call came naturally to him, out of the excitement of a game.

Now, the Seattle Mariners’ current roster is trying to deliver a fitting send-off for the broadcaster’s final year. The Mariners are currently 59-66 in the AL West, sitting four games behind the division-leading Houston Astros.

Rizzs previously stated in July that he desperately wants to see this team get healthy, reach the playoffs, and make it to the World Series. The franchise will attempt to make up ground in the standings and keep that postseason dream alive when they open a road series against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 18, 2026.