[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. DAVE NIEHAUS

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Seattle 
Mariners' broadcaster Dave Niehaus for his devotion to baseball and the 
Pacific Northwest region. Dave passed away on November 10, 2010 at the 
age of 75.
  Baseball fans from Washington State to Washington, DC are mourning 
the loss of the voice of the Mariners. Mr. Niehaus connected fans to 
the program from the Mariners' inaugural pitch in 1977 to the 
conclusion of the 2010 season. His voice represented the franchise, and 
kept the Pacific Northwest following the team through the good days of 
Mariners baseball as well as the less memorable.
  Arguably, the seminal moment in Dave Niehaus' announcing career came 
on the winning hit by Edgar Martinez in the decisive fifth game of 1995 
American League Division Series, also known as ``the double.'' The 
double scored both Joey Cora and Ken Griffey, Jr. to give the Mariners 
a 6-5 victory over the New York Yankees, and propelled them to the 
American League Championship Series for the first time in franchise 
history. In that moment, Mr. Niehaus announced:
  ``Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly 
ball, they would love a base hit into 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 field line for a base 
hit! Here 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!''
  Dave Niehaus' interest in broadcasting began at the University of 
Indiana, where he graduated in 1957. He then entered the military and 
started his broadcasting career with the Armed Forces Network in Los 
Angeles and New York City. After serving in the military, he settled in 
Los Angeles and became a broadcaster for the California Angels and the 
University of California, Los Angeles football and basketball teams. It 
was in 1977, when the Mariners started their first Major League 
Baseball season, that Dave Niehaus became the Mariners' play-by-play 
announcer. Mr. Niehaus called his 5,000th Mariners broadcast on May 7 
of this year.
  Of the many honors that Dave Niehaus was awarded during his career, 
three best characterize his untiring enthusiasm and genuine love for 
Mariners baseball. Mr. Niehaus received national acclaim when the 
National Baseball Hall of Fame awarded him the Ford C. Frick Award in 
2008. Mr. Niehaus believed the One World Award from the Washington 
Council of the Blind he received in 2004 was the most meaningful, as he 
was able to draw more baseball lovers into the drama of the game. He 
also was named one of the Seattle Times' Top 10 Most Influential People 
of the Century. In 1999, Mariners fans, as a testament of their 
affection, chose Mr. Niehaus to throw out the ceremonial first pitch 
for the inaugural game at Safeco Field, an honor that brought him to 
tears.
  Mr. Niehaus will be remembered by his wife Marilyn, his children 
Andy, Matt and Greta, his six grandchildren Zach, Steven, Madeline, 
Alexa, Audrey and Spencer, and the greater Mariners community.

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