Dave Niehaus: Voice of the Seattle Mariners

That photo is Dave Niehaus getting elected into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.  How did he get there? 

Because he's probably one of the best broadcasters ever.

Dave Niehaus' journey started in April, 1977, when he called the Mariner's historic first pitch...

He had just been introduced as a "fine young gentleman."  He introduced himself as the "initial voice of the Mariners."  I don't think he knew he'd be the voice of the Mariners at that point.

The first pitch was a strike.

Well, it's been 31 years and one month since that call, and since that time, Niehaus has missed all of 90 Mariner's games, including 21 in 1996 (17 due to medical reasons).

He has made every decisive Mariner's call, and ever indecisive one, too.

He has stayed though the highs of 2001 (116 wins) to the lows of 2008 (101 losses).

While never calling a World Series game, he has made many other important calls...

Ichiro's 257th hit, Griffey's home runs, the 1995 walk-off, beautiful Ichiro plays, a Rauuuuul Ibanez wall climb, and a ball hit off Rafael Soriano's head.

Every event, he's been there for the Mariners.

Finally, in 2008, Niehaus received the Ford C. Frick Award and was included into the broadcasters wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dave Niehaus is the Mariners.