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After Niehaus: How do you replace a legend?

Dave Niehaus was the legendary voice of the Seattle Mariner broadcasts for more than 30 years. His death last fall has left a void. How will the M's fill it?
AP
Dave Niehaus was the legendary voice of the Seattle Mariner broadcasts for more than 30 years. His death last fall has left a void. How will the M's fill it?

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-948576.mp3

The sudden death of Mariners' Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus last November left a huge void in the team's radio booth. It's a void that will be evident this weekend as fans flock to Safeco Field for Mariners FanFest- the annual meet-and-greet with players and team personnel.

Since there is no one voice that can replace Niehaus, the Mariners have decided to use five this season. 

It was recently announced that veteran Mariners announcers Ron Fairly, Ken Wilson, Ken Levine, Dave Valle and Dan Wilson would rotate color commentary duties this season, with longtime Niehaus partner Rick Rizzs moving into the radio play-by-play chair. Greg Johns reported on the announcement  at MLB.com.

KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says this was really the only option for the Mariners, with emotions still raw over Niehaus' death from a heart attack. Art says it's a "bridge year" until the M's can find a suitable broadcaster to try to fill Dave's shoes (although we all know he can never really be replaced). All of the other veteran radio broadcasters are under contract with other teams right now.

Art has some advice for the Mariners as they search for a permanent replacement: find someone like Dave who can tell it like it is. If the Mariners are playing poorly, talk about it and don't gloss over it. Art says it would be a mistake to hire someone who's just a mouthpiece or cheerleader for the team.

"The discerning fan appreciates honesty. The discerning fan doesn't care about 'rah-rah' and 'gee whiz.' I think the Mariner brass thinks 'gee whiz' is better. No. I think if they can find a voice who isn't afraid to tell the listener what's going on, that would be wonderful."

You can find Art Thiel's work at his new website Sportspress Northwest.

Kirsten Kendrick hosts Morning Edition on KNKX and the sports interview series "Going Deep," talking with folks tied to sports in our region about what drives them — as professionals and people.
Art Thiel is a co-founder and writer for the rising sports website Sportspress Northwest. In 2003 Thiel wrote the definitive book about the Seattle Mariners, “Out of Left Field,” which became a regional bestseller. In 2009, along with Steve Rudman and KJR 950 afternoon host Mike Gastineau, Thiel authored “The Great Book of Seattle Sports Lists,” a cross between historylink.org and Mad Magazine that has become mandatory reading for any sports fan who has an indoor bathroom.