Dave Niehaus's Greatest Calls in 1995

For me, when I think about Seattle Mariner's baseball, I think of Dave Niehaus. For my money, the greatest sports broadcaster of all time. Nearly every single fond memory I have of the Seattle Mariners is accompained by a Dave Niehause call.

And obviously, 1995 was the greatest season for the Seattle Mariners, and the greatest season for Dave as well. Therefore, I have complied my favorite Dave Niehause calls that took place when the Mariners started their run, and when they finished their run.

Ken Griffey JR wins it against the Yankees

On August 21st, the Mariners were 11 and a half games back of first place. The score was tied 7-7, Joey Cora was on first base, and Ken Griffey stepped up to the plate.

"There goes Joey, the pitch, swung on and belted, deep to right field, the Mariner have done it, fly away! Junior with a two run homerun, the Mariners win it 9 to 7! My oh my!"

Doug Strange forces extra innings

On September 19, the Mariners were one game back of the AL West leading Angels. But in the bottom of the ninth, the Mariners were down 2-4 to the Texas Rangers, when Doug Strange stepped up to the plate.

"Here comes the delivery on the way to Doug and it’s swung on and belted, deep to right field, and it will fly away, and we are tied at 4-4! I don’t believe it! My oh my! First pitch to Doug Strange, a bullet that just screamed over the national league sign of the scoreboard, and they are going absolutely crazy in Seattle!"

Tino Martinez wins it against the Athletics

Bottom of the ninth, down 7-8.

"Here’s the pitch to Tino, swung on and belted, deep to right field and that will be flying away!!! And the Mariners win it 9-8, in perhaps the most incredible game in their history!!! Back and forth, back and forth and Tino Martinez his second home run of the game! Unbelievable! Off Dennis Eckersley!!! And forty six thousand fans are losing their minds here in Seattle! Tonight I’ll guarantee you it will be sleepless in Seattle for everybody who was here today, including me!!!"

Grand Salami time for Junior

If it wasn't for this shot, the Mariners might not have had the postseason.

"The pitch on the way to Ken Griffey Jr. and it’s swung on and belted, deep to right field . Get out the rye bread and mustard grandma, it is grand salami time! I don’t believe it! One swing of the bat, the first pitch and Ken Griffey Jr. has given the Mariners a 6-2 lead over the Texas Rangers. My oh my! What a shot by Junior, and he has never hit a bigger one."

Randy puts the Mariners into the postseason

Ah. The playoffs.

"Now the left hander ready, branding iron hot, the 1-2 pitch...K! It’s started! It’s over!!! Right over the heart of the plate! Randy looks to the sky, that is covered by the dome, and bedlam! As the Mariners now erupt! Nineteen longs years of frustration, is over!!!"

Edgar finishes the Yankess off in game 4

In the third inning of game 4, the Mariners were down 5-0. After this blast from Edgar, not so much.

"But with two strikes you’ve gotta protect the plate. 2-2 on Edgar. And John Wettleland one more time set, and here comes the 2-2 pitch to Edgar Martinez now and the fastball swung on and hit to deep center field, Bernie Williams goes back and it is….Get out of the rye bread and the mustard this time Grandma, it is a Grand Salami! And the Mariners lead it 10-6! I don’t believe it! MY OH MY!"

Doug Strange ties it up in Game 5

This call probably isn't remembered all that much, but without it, the Mariners would have surely lost game 5 of the ALDS. The Mariners loaded the bases in the eight, down a run, and sent up pitch hitter Doug Strange.

"This is the action pitch, it all happens here. The stretch, the Mariners runners go, the 3-2 pitch to Strange, in the dirt, and we are tied! He walks Doug Strange, MY OH MY!"

Joey proving that it doesn't matter how you get on base

On October 8, 1995, the Seattle Mariners were down 3-4 to the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the ALDS, in the eleven inning. Joey Cora batted first.

"And the wind and the 2-1 pitch to Joey Cora now, he bunts the ball up the first base line, it’s a dandy, and he’s going to be safe again!"

Junior moves Joey Cora over and becomes the potential game winning run

It was close. Very close. If the second basemen for the Yankees had just a little more range, it might have been a double play. Thankfully, for Junior and Mariner fans, it wasn't.

"The 1-0 pitch on the way to Junior now and it’s swung on and a ground ball basehit into right center field Cora’s going end up at third and the Mariners have runners at first and third and nobody out! Here in the bottom half of the 11th. My oh my! "

Edgar Wins It

Do I really need to say anything? Didn't think so.

"Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball, they would love a basehit in the gap and they could win it with Junior’s speed. The stretch and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martinez, swung on and lined down the left line for a basehit, here’s comes Joey, here is Junior to third base, they’re going to wave him in, the throw to the plate will be late the Mariners are going to play for the American League Championship! I don’t believe it! It just continues! My oh my!!!"