In an emotional press conference, Seattle Mariners icon Rick Rizzs announced his retirement after the 2026 season, concluding a legendary 41-year career behind the microphone that defined the team for generations.
SEATTLE — The voice of the Seattle Mariners for over four decades is set to go silent. In a poignant and emotional press conference on Wednesday, Rick Rizzs officially announced that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season, marking the conclusion of his 41st year with the team. The news, which was met with tears and applause from teammates, coaches, and front-office staff, signals the end of an era for the franchise.
The 72-year-old broadcaster, who grew up idolizing legendary Chicago Cubs announcer Jack Brickhouse, initially set a modest goal for himself when he joined the Mariners in 1983. His ambition was simply to call major league games for one year. Instead, Rizzs became a household name in the Pacific Northwest, a fixture in the broadcast booth whose voice is synonymous with Mariners baseball for generations of fans.
“You get to a certain point where you’re not that little kid watching the games on TV,” Rizzs said, his voice cracking with emotion, “wishing you were Jack Brickhouse at 12 years old.” After pausing to compose himself, he added, “This has been truly a joy. Lou Gehrig said it best: I’m the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.”
Rizzs’ journey to Seattle was a winding one, with stops broadcasting minor league games in Virginia, Texas, Ohio, and Tennessee. His arrival paired him with the legendary Dave Niehaus, and together they formed a broadcasting duo that laid the foundation for Rizzs’ own iconic status. While he also spent time with the Detroit Tigers from 1992 to 1994, it was in Seattle that he truly found his home.
“I made Seattle my home,” Rizzs stated simply. “I grew up in Chicago, but Seattle’s my home.” This sentiment was echoed by Mariners chairman John Stanton, who spoke fondly of Rizzs during the press conference, highlighting his immense contribution to the team and the community.
The decision to make the 2026 season his final one was not made lightly. Rizzs had contemplated retirement after the 2025 season, which saw the Mariners achieve one of the most successful campaigns in franchise history before a heartbreaking loss in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. After consulting with the team, he decided to embrace the spotlight and enter his final season with the public’s full awareness and appreciation.
While the focus is on his farewell tour, Rizzs is not done yet. He has already set his sights on a new goal for the team. “We’re going to get to the World Series this year, and we’re going to win it this year,” he declared with unwavering confidence.
As he transitions into retirement, Rizzs has a clear vision for his life beyond the ballpark. He plans to spend more time with his family, particularly his grandkids, play more golf, and travel—on his own terms. “I want to get on a plane that I want to get on,” he joked to the room full of laughter. “I want to go to a place that I want to go. I want to go to Italy and eat my brains out.”
Even after his final call, Rizzs intends to remain connected to the organization he loves. He plans to attend spring training annually in Peoria, Arizona, and will continue to be a presence around the team, cherishing the relationships he has built over 41 years.
From the magical 1995 “Refuse to Lose” run that saved baseball in Seattle to the 116-win season in 2001, and from the historic call of Cal Raleigh’s game-tying homer in the 2025 ALCS to countless other unforgettable moments, Rick Rizzs has been the constant, comforting voice through it all. His career is a testament to passion, longevity, and an unwavering love for the game and the city he called home.
For Mariners fans, the 2026 season will be a celebration of a life’s work, a final chance to listen to the voice that defined their team. As Rizzs himself said, it has all been gravy since that first season. For the rest of us, it’s the end of a truly great ride.
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