Seattle – In an announcement that shocked and moved the entire city of Seattle, legendary Seattle Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs publicly spoke about his battle with cancer. With his voice still warm but full of emotion, Rizzs sent a message to his fans that brought many to tears: “I hope you won’t forget my voice even though I’m no longer in this city…”
After more than 40 years as the “voice” associated with every historical moment of the Mariners, Rizzs is taking a break from work to focus on his cancer treatment.
In a special interview broadcast on Mariners Radio, Rizzs couldn’t hide his emotions as he shared his health status. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing intensive treatment. Despite this, the spirit of the “golden voice” remains strong and optimistic.
“Hopefully, people won’t forget my voice even though I’m no longer in this city… I’ve been here for so long, and the Mariners are a part of my very being,” Rizzs said, his voice trembling.
He also expressed his deep gratitude to the Mariners fans – those who have been with him through thousands of games, from the Kingdome era to T-Mobile Park today.
Rick Rizzs joined the Mariners in 1983 and quickly became an icon of the team. With his deep, professional, and passionate voice, he has called upon a host of historical moments: from Edgar Martinez’s hit in 1995, the team’s first playoff game in 1997, to recent emotional seasons.
He is the one who brought millions of Mariners fans closer to the team through radio waves, especially in remote areas without access to television. Many who grew up in the Pacific Northwest consider Rizzs a friend, a familiar storyteller every summer. 2026 was originally set to be Rizzs’ final season before retirement. However, his cancer diagnosis forced him to adjust his plans and prioritize his health.
News of Rizzs’ health quickly spread and garnered significant attention from the community. Mariners President John Stanton stated:
“Rick is an integral part of our organization. He’s not just a broadcaster, he’s the soul of the Mariners. The whole team will be with him in this fight.”
Many former and current players, such as Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Julio Rodríguez, and Cal Raleigh, also sent well wishes to Rizzs. Mariners fans flocked to social media with the hashtags #ThankYouRizzs and #RizzsStrong, sharing fond memories of the voice that had accompanied them for so many years.
Despite his ongoing treatment, Rizzs remains positive and hopes to inspire others. He urged everyone, especially men, to get regular health checkups to detect cancer early.
“Life can change in an instant. Cherish your health and the people around you,” Rizzs advised.
Despite having to temporarily step away from the microphone, Rizzs affirmed that he will still follow every Mariners game and hopes to return soon to complete his final season in its entirety.
Rick Rizzs is more than just a broadcaster. He is an icon of dedication, professionalism, and genuine love for baseball. For over 40 years, his voice has become a familiar symphony whenever the Mariners take to the field.
Whatever the future holds, Seattle fans will surely never forget the “golden voice” that has been with the team through so many ups and downs. And perhaps, this touching message today will help Rizzs live on in the hearts of fans – not just as a broadcaster, but as a part of Seattle Mariners history.
