Rick Rizzs was more than just a broadcaster. For Seattle, he was the familiar heartbeat of summer, the man who transformed ordinary evenings into memorable stories, the bridge between the basketball court and millions of listeners across the Pacific Northwest. Through wins and losses, through rebuilding and hope, that voice was always there, steadfast and reliable.

Therefore, when news of his departure spread, the initial reaction wasn’t shock—but emptiness. The Mariners could change rosters. The courts could be upgraded. But a voice that had been with them for a lifetime is not easily replaced.

Angie Mentink didn’t read from a script. She spoke as if she were speaking to a mentor, a colleague, and above all, an icon. In every word, one could hear the respect, gratitude, and the very real pressure of someone left behind.

Mentink acknowledged that following in Rick Rizzs’ footsteps wasn’t about “replacing,” but about continuing. Continuing the standards, dedication, and storytelling that defined Mariners on the airwaves. “What he left behind wasn’t an empty chair, but a legacy,” she shared, moving many listeners to tears.

What was special about Rick Rizzs was that he didn’t need to appear to be remembered. Just a well-timed pause, a perfectly descriptive sentence, or a deliberate moment of silence—he taught an entire generation that broadcasting isn’t about talking a lot, but about talking right.

For Angie Mentink, that legacy is her guiding principle. She doesn’t promise to be like Rick Rizzs. She promised to uphold the spirit he had instilled: respect for the audience, respect for the game, and putting genuine emotion above all effects.

The Mariners community quickly spread Mentink’s message. On radio, social media, and even in the bars around T-Mobile Park, people spoke of Rick Rizzs in a more subdued tone than usual. But they also spoke of Angie Mentink with cautious confidence.

No one expected her to fill a void. Fans only hoped she would keep the flame alive. And today’s message shows Mentink understands that responsibility very well.

In sports, player transfers are common. But transferring memories is rare. The moment Angie Mentink made that promise wasn’t a personnel announcement. It was a torch-passing ceremony, not on the court, but in the hearts of those who love Mariners.

Rick Rizzs left not because he ran out of energy, but because he had completed a full journey. And Mentink stepped forward not to start from scratch, but to continue on a path already laid out with kindness and passion.

Seattle will miss Rick Rizzs every time they turn on the radio on a summer evening. But Seattle will also listen to Angie Mentink—not to compare, but to walk alongside. Because ultimately, what Rick Rizzs left behind was not just his voice, but the belief that Mariners always have someone to tell their story with all their heart.

And today, when Angie Mentink said, “I will try my best to complete the mission he left behind,” Seattle understood that this was not an easy promise. But also understood that it was spoken with all sincerity.

There are legends who leave the stage to applause.

Rick Rizzs left in respectful silence.

And in that silence, a new voice was ready to move forward.