Niehaus called the Mariners games from their first season there in 1977 on KVI through the just-ended season, with the baseball team back on KIRO-AM. Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire calls Niehaus “an institution” and says he’ll be “remembered for his passion for all things baseball, high professional standards and gentlemanly conduct.” The Seattle Times quotes Niehaus' partner Rick Rizzs saying “He was not only the voice of the Mariners, he was the Mariners. He was the face of the franchise.“ And this: "when you turned on the radio, everything was right with the world when you heard Dave’s voice.” He just died of a heart attack, at 75.