# Iconic Mariners broadcaster opens up before calling it a career

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-25 19:00 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Iconic voice of the Seattle Mariners Rick Rizzs is signing off after a legendary broadcasting career.

## Intelligence Brief
According to coverage from outlets including The Seattle Times, MyNorthwest, MLB.com, Field Level Media, and the Spokesman-Review, iconic Seattle Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs is concluding his career during a final series against the Angels. Coverage highlights a series of tributes for his retirement weekend, including a surprise presentation by player Cal Raleigh, who revealed a special chest protector he will wear to honor the announcer. Fans and media platforms alike are reflecting on his tenure, featuring farewell messages and retrospectives on his most memorable calls associated with the phrase 'Holy Smokes'. The coverage heavily emphasizes the emotional weight of the departure, with reports from MyNorthwest and Seattle Sports noting that Rizzs is stepping away after forty-one seasons with the Mariners and a total career spanning fifty-two years.


Outlets such as the Yakima Herald-Republic, the Union-Bulletin, and the Lufkin Daily News documented the pre-series events, detailing how Rizzs opened up about his retirement and expressed that he is ready to step away, though acknowledging there will be tears. MLB.com even reported that the clubhouse dog participated in the monumental weekend's farewell sentiments. Background provided across the articles contextualizes Rizzs as a defining audio fixture for Seattle baseball fans, characterized by MyNorthwest as the team's kindest voice. Articles compiling his greatest moments invite audiences to relive decades of baseball history through his commentary.


The coverage does not yet specify exact post-retirement plans beyond the current final series celebrations, but it firmly establishes the depth of community gratitude, with fans quoted in The Seattle Times thanking him for making them love baseball. Looking ahead, coverage tracks the unfolding events of the retirement weekend against the Angels series, detailing the various ways fans can celebrate the broadcaster's legacy. Specific tributes documented by reporters include the special gear worn by Cal Raleigh and coordinated fan appreciation moments across multiple regional news sources. The ongoing broadcasts capture the final sign-offs of a career that spanned more than half a century, marking a significant transition for the Seattle franchise and its radio audience.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| sports.mynorthwest.com | All the ways to celebrate Rick Rizzs in his final series as voice of the Mariners | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxQc3BCa0lfb00tdzZrRExDSjFIV1pueEc2c1RMdDFzSnB1aXVuSVFCWlRJVnQ3Tk5faDdYbUR2dWxQT1FHcGV0RFBqd1RmT1RVSktZeVpfaVNmelhCUUZxSlZaalVadV9wRmtHMFgyVzd3SDZxSW9qSnVCQjA4dnhEWXlUVllybm0yRmVOR3IxT1pSYU43ZXFRZXdSY2xFRk54WHB3?oc=5) |
| spokesman.com | Cal Raleigh surprises broadcaster Rick Rizzs ahead of Mariners retirement weekend | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxQYjdWeDhMeGRjcjNEYzEtOElwYzk4Z2JoeHBVRGJfY0REVXdXQkRJUkpTZmZ2QkpxQWhaTUxLWFRfOWVzQnBtWlN6UFFoTHNkcG9KaG02emdSaERad0V1NGpDWS0teHVvMmI4Vk5FV3hScHh5aUN2NHpaMWE2Z0lmVldzU08zMURVeURfcVRwUjE0OXRsX3EzbHZzOG12UQ?oc=5) |
| Union-Bulletin | ‘Holy Smokes’: Relive Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs’ most memorable calls | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwJBVV95cUxNaldUeEtYN0xrajRuLTU4UTZLSkVfV05yTDJCLTRhTkoxcmhyTGNac1VoTi1vdVlfaXplTTJFUTN2ZER4U0ZrTG5obVRlYkZyZi1fX1dCY0l2akp4OGNoV0xWd3Q5SFJ5QnNVT09pQTl3Q2gyM3FTOEtVTWFDN0NDNVlQcF9DakJldDJ4ZU5uWXdhcHhjLWtFQzVaVkM2WVRFOEc4aFY0elRFbnA3OWd4clFIOThaR2tCSmZMTGIzRk5mV09RSElDZmdPdlg4MUFpS3V2VjVjSUV4NHJmbkV4UFo1cE9VQzFtUXQxZks5eWVfeWZHUm4weEFsMVVZeVpXMWdwRWNLWDh2aU0?oc=5) |
| MyNorthwest.com | Harger: Goodbye, baseball. Rick Rizzs signs off after 41 seasons with the Mariners, and Seattle loses its kindest voice | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiekFVX3lxTE94Y0FXemNldkpsZkRkX01zdGpMT1d1YWE2MXp3VlpidFZFbGt2VzZHQk5EQS0xVElMbi1HTS03SjhpTThjYUZ6NGpEdnpsc3V5RlB5U1hmalprclYwSVF0VEhibWFFMnJvRU9FaEZhcDRFZ0xjdDdEMmln?oc=5) |
| seattletimes.com | Iconic Mariners broadcaster opens up before calling it a career | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiyAFBVV95cUxPVnBGT1BmazNCa0ZKQ0l3MFFvMElNcDF4aDJIMGhrMXg5Zm40OFAzaFZtQUZsQUpTUG5CNjVkUlRGenFBQjdCdkhnQ0ZleGhoUTFBOGdKWjZxdVMxUlpZOTU3U09IaldaZ2dkOFU1QzIxVks3R3VVU1ZhdGlfaEhzYlROc3RzWC1kZ09lc21tNVBGUjNpZFdDV1J4RWdFV0Y1c0t6dE1WN3pUOWV0YVlvOXB3ajFGRWxRRWl6bHRfaVFNYmltTUg0Wg?oc=5) |
| idahopress.com | Angels Mariners Baseball | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxPSWh4ajhtSW9jeXJndzJVdTVJNEVOd2Q2S2pIVHhFd0ppYWpNdGc2VWZlbFMtM2FHQ3VXOVBGMzlFYTJrVjNUUldGMWtkT1pWd0pVeDFBcUo2LU9xaVJGcVl5Ukl5WTJWZnFHUnVmSnJYUDFJWllaSUMySHFYY25iNkZES0lmUWwweGRHQUxnRXRUTFlFYVR1OU5YakdMbXRSdU5SeGh6Z1JJOUFyenY3TkctTTM?oc=5) |
| Seattle Sports | Drayer: How sweet it was – 41 years of Rick Rizzs as Mariners’ voice of summer and hope | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxPeGtIZ3VMU1N6NUdPWGQwQlJNeENhOW14MVZxWTlGS1Z0QldKdjBFQmdWbThjXzlETGNPMVBsVGVKcjhfRVdGT2VRczlFU3hHbUNWY0dSVWFZWmpMZmc0bExGQkVTVzZTN2NlUlNpSFhmYnZEYjFuVXBER2tWUUNuSzQ5WEpCTVQ4VE5qZEZhQmExQmV6TE5TRGp0TXZrVXUtRVE?oc=5) |
| Field Level Media | Cal Raleigh honors Mariners announcer in final series vs. Angels | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxPVmlTZ3pvNGowTHZ0YzY2UXpTQjV2eEhJWlJlNGFRSU9rVnpjaWtuUjh4Vmdod3pPQUlOVXZmT0dVVXdsWVRrTC1RU0xJSV9La1VVWFdSYUF3Ynp1VXpCVlZoNnp3SjNjZVhTMWpyRTNGb0xnY2dYcUZmbGlVckt0enlBSUdDT3FubzluRnhpb0Znbm9BNzBDTkVmamU?oc=5) |
| The Lufkin Daily News | Cal Raleigh honors Mariners announcer in final series vs. Angels | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi8wFBVV95cUxPa3RmMUU5R2FpZ1h4dThJVmlEakJlclRqbFNyS1dtV29UcVI5ektxaURocnlEWFVfbHkzelE5YmJlaEFKcXBEM0lxTlBZOHE1TUhPVjRGUzYyaEhSeWUxWG1zRzBVekQxX09YREZyTmZQQVEtS3RUMTg2N25PR05KTTRQc2t5Q1lsZkszMTg2ZGE4VFhTUUxKWDNYX0VTZjhwbWZXNHVTWEMwVmVkVFM0WVBHZ2c2cm4tU3Q2ZVRrdFd1c09lME1vLV9Dd0lidXhLbW5lb1B0NUs3WmF6U21YX3hQajV2WUFJZ09yNHJjaWxwems?oc=5) |
| MyNorthwest.com | Rick Rizzs says goodbye to Mariners booth after 52-year career: ‘I’ve lived my dream’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxQOUdZXzByVGlPMndiUGNTa3RURlF4d3o5YVJEdkcwSm9yZ3kxbkRXeWhGbldRY3VXaU83YVhQb0J4OGJqNzB6Vnk3VDZDSjVlLXpmWmxxeGhJaVFHVmxZRkxZVnZ5V3VaZ3Z1V1JseWtmMGNtOFZBcFVvRndybDlvSWpjV2o0SHJR?oc=5) |
| The Seattle Times | Mariners fans send heartfelt thanks to Rick Rizzs: ‘You’re the reason I love baseball’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwFBVV95cUxNQS1DNk5OZDVIRnNVNWJ6dWg2SE10QTBXcTh3ejV0bUhIV1dhazg3bm5DYXliS2IxQ19CcWFxMnRQRTFyTDhHZGpKMnR4UnU3aFAtU3dhTDZqT2V1cFRBVmRPbWNsWjBEcHM2aExkYWRqbGNhSEItZVNTdDBfdXJxV1V1ZDVpQ1NzTTVoTkFEQWU1WXM5eDdJS2NMQ3phVV9GdExQc0N3S1o4OXJTU1NXdXBKZDVEZGZOTG1Gb1ZEaGRJR0xzYV9V?oc=5) |
| MLB.com | Even the clubhouse dog knows: Rizzs' farewell a monumental weekend for Mariners | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxObWx1aTgycEphZEJuSTRQVE82d0lmbnkzRWZmcHZSRFNtUE5vVU9rRnNYSW5mRzRrYVpVcFEwaFJfd1RUdFhLc1RZN29PQXZIclVvUk85Y3dXczJVOTNKNVgtSnJMbVdxU0lkTzNGaU42VHdOZjhmOGNXYjJ1OC1wTHdnenFadVhKNEJPR2hneVp1TXh4QWhENw?oc=5) |
| Yakima Herald-Republic | Cal Raleigh surprises broadcaster Rick Rizzs ahead of Mariners retirement weekend | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogJBVV95cUxOWElVRHhjM3AxVDNQRjZ5Yk9lek9waE1XQTV2NVhKR1hkcjZWb3M5MTBXaERCN3piTXEzeno5bGp2emtHMlZfMmctX0N2SFE2czcyS2RmdTI4TkhQSU80X000THJCOUl6cmVhN2pEQ3h0RktiWVVtVFJWcU5FRGdiS1JSdGN0bm9xc1NWaGVJS0lTMC1sZW5HLWlMWjNFWUJtVjVsLWU5OERnZFNSZDNqREdEUzYyN0pKMkQ2UmI3YnZhZUF4MkI0dEcwZ2x2NG51QkxJYTBpTXRRdjR0Rk1OSWhJckk5cnROb2hwZ2N6M1IxSDJjc3RHV0JUSnB2a0pPVTl0aVRxZ0NzUEZCdTVlS2VySExPMTU4eUQ0dERUQW13QdIBpwJBVV95cUxOYm1KbUo2aDNuQkpyZVhVSEhFRDlrS1VYSXhPWWRSQUFVbGFrN3M3YU1) |
| The Seattle Times | Cal Raleigh gives Rick Rizzs special retirement gift | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixgFBVV95cUxNQk1qUmhzRTBwS2NCN0wyMTNOSm9Qdkg3VWZVV1pFdFktdlo2bFJhMGhWVE80VFhkVjRCQklFbDlZaTlZb3Bybk9OZFNuNEwzWDh1MjJqcFZtNk5rVW1aZm54djBtQ1Z1YUF1OE85b2V2ZHprLW5ET1p5RGJPYkh5RVJCNmpENlJKajhrQjl2UzViWEpIQkxTc2RCNGJDSE5rdTlaVWotYndKYS1WeDFqZk1hLUE1NThJT3BBeDFqY000WDBOUkE?oc=5) |
| roundtable.io | Longtime Seattle Mariners Broadcaster Discusses Retirement | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxQWHJySUxWZUp4UGpIbFRRMWU4Y3ZUelRNbGZqSUg3VFRzSmZESHBuRHVvV3hzSW4tazdpRm1rWWd6ak40QWJOcjdLLXY3bXZPV3FqR0lQRlExQjV6N0p1V1gyMkliZXlqdGVxOVBLZEtNZDByOG5ySWVBQjc3Qmh2OG9PRkZHRTk0dnR4VVo1Y0FadjdJOHFJS29UNnNLMWxMS0FzcVpmbjY?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-09-25/iconic-mariners-broadcaster-opens-up-before-calling-it-a-career*