Wills served because the voice of the Main League baseball group for the final 18 years
Tampa Bay Rays radio announcer, Dave Wills. (YouTube
Dave Wills, who served because the Tampa Bay Rays radio announcer over the previous 18 years, died Sunday, March 5, the Rays and Main League Baseball introduced. No reason behind demise was revealed. He was 58.
Throughout his time with the Rays, Wills referred to as pivotal moments within the franchise’s historical past, together with the group’s journey to the 2008 and 2020 World Sequence.
In a Twitter post, the Rays referred to as Wills “a beloved determine all through the Tampa Bay group and Main League Baseball.” The MLB commemorated Wills’ “impeccable play-by-play calling, his insightful evaluation and his infectious character.”
“Dave was an excellent broadcaster, an important buddy and an excellent higher individual,” mentioned the Rays’ principal proprietor Stuart Sternberg within the MLB announcement. “He had a exceptional expertise for bringing the sport to life for our followers and was a significant a part of the Rays household. We are going to miss him dearly and our ideas and prayers are along with his household and family members throughout this troublesome time.”
“Baseball misplaced one in all its most informative and entertaining storytellers, and I really feel like I misplaced a brother,” former Rays communicatons chief Rick Vaughn mentioned. “He was so joyful right here in Tampa Bay and so desperate to signify the Rays wherever he went.”
Alongside his associate Andy Freed, Wills joined the Rays in 2005, shortly changing into a fan-favorite duo. Earlier than that, the Chicago native spent 11 years with the White Sox radio group. He bought his begin doing play-by-play for the minor league group Kane County Cougars from 1991 to 1995, following his time with the College of Illinois-Chicago males’s basketball group and different broadcast work.
Although an official reason behind demise has not been revealed, the Tampa Bay Times reported that he was recognized with a coronary heart situation referred to as supraventricular tachycardia (speedy coronary heart beat) on the finish of 2022. After being hospitalized in Toronto, he missed the ultimate two weeks of the 2022 common season, however was again to work in time for the playoff sequence in Cleveland.
The Rays are changing Sunday’s broadcast with a second of silence in Wills’ honor. They plan to rejoice his life with a particular pregame tribute later within the season, with particulars to be introduced at a later date.
Wills is survived by his spouse, Liz; son, Alex; and daughter, Michelle.
