Thrive
Rays, community mourn longtime announcer Dave Wills
For 18 years, Dave Wills enthralled Tampa Bay Rays fans as the team’s passionate radio announcer with his distinct, booming voice.
Wills, 58, died at his home in Lutz early Sunday morning.
The official announcement noted that Wills became a “beloved figure” to fans due to his passion, enthusiasm, expertise and insight. Many listened to him announce the Rays’ most memorable moments as the team transitioned from perennial cellar-dweller to contender during his time in the booth.
“Pretty devastating day for our Rays family,” said manager Kevin Cash after Sunday’s game, a 5-2 loss. “Dave meant so much to so many people.”
Team officials held 10 seconds of silence inside Tropicana Field before Sunday afternoon’s Grapefruit League matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. They also canceled the game’s radio broadcast and will honor Wills’ memory with a special pregame tribute.
Wills joined the Devil Rays in 2005, three years before Stuart Sternberg bought the team. His most recognizable catchphrases include the boisterous refrain of “Rays win!” after every victory and the way he exaggerated the “he” in “He struck him out!” after a strikeout.
“Dave was an outstanding broadcaster, a great friend and an even better person,” said Sternberg in a prepared statement. “He had a remarkable talent for bringing the game to life for our fans and was a vital part of the Rays Family. We will miss him dearly, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Perhaps his most famous call came in Game 7 of the 2008 American League Championship Series. The once-lowly Rays dropped the “Devil” from their name before the season and held a 3-1 lead over the rival Boston Red Sox – with a trip to the World Series on the line.
With a runner on first in the 9th, Boston’s Jed Lowrie hit a ground ball directly to Tampa Bay’s Akinori Iwamura.
“This should do it,” Wills said, his voice rising exponentially. “Aki has it, takes it to second himself. This improbable season has another chapter to it! The Rays are going to the World Series!”
Wills then delivered his signature “Rays win! Rays win! Rays win!” at full throat.
Dave Wills was on the call for the best moment in Rays history.
“This improbable season has another chapter to it. The Rays are going to the World Series.”pic.twitter.com/C8Yc6zKtD7
— Nick Geddes (@NickGeddesNews) March 5, 2023
He sat next to Andy Freed in the team’s radio booth, and the two formed a popular team amongst fans. Freed noted Saturday, March 4, was like any other gameday for the duo, “Sharing. Laughs. Baseball. Fun.,” he wrote Sunday in a Twitter post.
“No way to know it was the last time,” Freed continued. “Sadness beyond words today. It always felt like we were actual brothers.”
Dave Wills (left) and Andrew Freed formed a popular broadcasting team. Photo: Will Vragovic, Tampa Bay Rays.
In addition to the team and its fans, and like Cash said after Sunday’s game, Wills also meant a lot to the surrounding community. Representatives from several local organizations attested to that critical aspect of Wills’ life on social media, including one from Buddy Baseball.
The organization operates a non-competitive recreational league that serves Tampa Bay children and young adults with special needs. The nonprofit’s Facebook account relayed that Wills announced its games for the past eight years.
“Dave was just the best guy and so generous with his time to Buddy Baseball,” read the post. “Liz (his wife) told me how special buddy baseball was to him and wanted me to know that.”
Wills was born in Chicago and grew up a White Sox fan. His broadcasting career began in 1991 as a former Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles affiliate’s play-by-play announcer. He then spent 11 years with the White Sox radio broadcast team before joining the Rays ahead of the 2005 season.
A heart issue led to Wills’ hospitalization in September 2022. While he missed the last few weeks of the regular season, Wills was back doing what he loved for the Rays’ Wild Card Series versus the Cleveland Indians that October.
“We do our interview, and it is literally seven minutes of interview and probably 15, 20 minutes of cutting up, laughing or sharing frustrations together,” Cash said after Sunday’s spring game.
“We ride the ups and downs of the season together.”
Wills is survived by his wife Liz, son Alex, and daughter Michelle.
Andy, I will never forget how the two of you talked me down from an out-of-body experience before my 1st radio game. It was generous and supportive – a description of Dave, as you know. It was always a pleasure to visit with you. Please accept my most sincere condolences.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) March 5, 2023
