SEATTLE -- The waterworks were flowing at T-Mobile Park on Sunday afternoon, in an emotional farewell for the longest-tenured broadcaster in franchise history, and, quite possibly, for one of their cornerstone players of this era.
Moments before first pitch, the Mariners took the field earlier than typical -- and in surprise fashion -- as a video tribute finished for Rick Rizzs on the videoboard.
As he shifted his glance from the neighboring TV booth to his right and back to the playing surface, Rizzs was taken aback. What had unfolded in front of him was the entirety of the home dugout emerging behind home plate to collectively tip their caps to the radio broadcast booth high behind home plate.
Included among that group were franchise legends Ken Griffey Jr. and Jay Buhner, who explicitly made the trip to Seattle this weekend to be here for Rizzs’ recognition. Also in town were Ichiro Suzuki, Alvin Davis and Jamie Moyer, as well as manager Dan Wilson and director of hitting strategy Edgar Martinez.
Each among that cohort are in the franchise’s Hall of Fame. Rizzs will become the 12th member of that prestigious pack next season.
He’s been full of emotion all weekend, but the pregam...