Dave Niehaus, the longtime Seattle Mariners play-by-play announcer, has died at the age of 75, the team announced last week on Wednesday.
Niehaus, known for his trademark home run call of fly, fly away, called the very first Mariners game in 1977. He has been the voice of the team ever since, Seattle PI reported.
The announcer was also inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008 as the Ford C. Frick Award winner. Among his best-known phrases were my, oh my, and swung on and belted! said in his unique, gravelly voice that quavered with emotion.
The Web site said the most famous Niehaus call came during the 1995 American League Division Series in the Mariners' series-clinching Game 5 win against the New York Yankees.
Edgar Martinez doubled in Joey Cora and Ken Griffey Jr. with the game-winning runs in the 11th inning, prompting Niehaus to exclaim, "The Mariners are going to play for the American League Championship! I don't believe it! It just continues! My, oh my!"
After doing play-by-play for the California Angels from 1969-76, Niehaus was hired by then-Mariners owner Danny Kaye in 1977.
Niehaus is survived by his wife Marilyn, three children and six grandchildren, the team said. He is said to have suffered from a heart attack at his home, and had a history of heart problems.
