Rick Rizzs (born November 17, 1953) is an American sportscaster and is the lead radio voice for Major League Baseball's Seattle Mariners. He is the longest-tenured broadcaster in franchise history.

Early life and career

Rizzs attended Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Illinois. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1975.

From 1975 to 1980, he handled play-by-play duties for several minor league baseball teams, including the Alexandria Aces, Amarillo Gold Sox, and Memphis Chicks. He became the sports director at WBNS in Columbus, Ohio in 1981, where he called Ohio State football and Columbus Clippers baseball games for two seasons. He was named the Ohio Sportscaster of the Year in 1981 by the Ohio Sportscasters Association. Harwell's dismissal was not at all popular with fans. Rizzs teaming with Bob Rathbun, who replaced the retiring Paul Carey, proved difficult. Both were let go after the 1994 season.

Rizzs returned to Seattle. In 2000, Rizzs was named the Chicago-area sportscaster of the year by the Chicago Pitch and Hit Club.

In January 2013, it was announced Rizzs' new radio partner would be Aaron Goldsmith, formerly of the Pawsox Radio Network. Goldsmith does the play-by-play for the 3rd, 6th, and 7th inning, as well as even innings when the game goes into extra innings.

Before the 2025 season, the Mariners announced that Rizzs would be the team's lead radio announcer, with Goldsmith serving as the television play-by-play. On March 10, while calling a spring training game between the Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers, a foul ball batted by Rhys Hoskins struck Rizzs in the head. However, medical staff cleared Rizzs, and he returned to the broadcast one inning later.

On January 27, 2026, Rizzs announced that he would retire from broadcasting after the 2026 season.

Catchphrases

Rizzs is noted for using the following catchphrases on Mariner broadcasts:

"Goodbye baseball!"- used on home run calls.

"Holy smoke(s)!"/"How about that?"- used for exciting plays.

"Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it is grand salami time! Holy smokes!"- used when the Mariners get a grand slam. Formerly used (except for Holy smokes!) by his longtime radio partner Dave Niehaus.

"Grandma, get out the rye bread and mustard, it is grand salami time!"- alternative grand slam call made by Rizzs.

"How about that, buddy?"- also used after a Mariners player hit a grand slam, in honor of his longtime broadcaster partner/friend Dave Niehaus.

"Happy totals"- used during the postgame when the Mariners win the ballgame, now taken over by Aaron Goldsmith. It was originally used by Chicago Cubs broadcasters in the 1970s.

Personal life

Rizzs resides in Issaquah, Washington. He has a son, Nick, and three grandchildren.

Rizzs provided the commentary for the 2005 GameCube game Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball, but the game was canceled.

In 1995, Rizzs and former Mariner Dave Henderson founded a charity that provided Christmas gifts to children. In November 2024, Rizzs launched Rick's Locker, which provides sporting equipment and gear to children.

In December 2022, Rizzs was diagnosed with grade 1 prostate cancer.

In July 2023, Rizzs was involved in an all-terrain vehicle accident in which he suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck, two fractured vertebrae in his back, a fractured rib, and cuts on his head and ear.

References

  • Interview with Rizzs about the 1995 Mariners