The Tampa Bay Rays announced Sunday that Dave Wills, who had been one of the team’s radio broadcasters since 2005, has died at the age of 58.
The Tampa Bay Rays are deeply saddened to announce the passing of longtime radio announcer Dave Wills.
A beloved figure throughout the Tampa Bay community and Major League Baseball, he will be missed dearly. pic.twitter.com/k9iiQOsL4u
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 5, 2023
Wills, along with partner Andy Freed, was beloved among Rays fans for his passion and insight, along with his booming calls behind the mic. He was on the call when the team clinched its first playoff berth in 2008 and when they won the pennant later that postseason. The duo were the longest tenured broadcasting team in the American League, entering their 19th season together.
“Dave was an outstanding broadcaster, a great friend and an even better person,” said Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg. “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.”
Prior to his time with the Rays, Wills was pre-game and post-game host for his hometown Chicago White Sox, and started his broadcasting career as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Kane County Cougars of the Midwest League. He pitched collegiately at Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University), and coached at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He is survived by his wife Liz, son Alex, and daughter Michelle.
The team’s scheduled Grapefruit League radio broadcast today on 95.3 WDAE has been cancelled, and the Rays have announced they will hold a special pregame tribute for Wills this season, with details to be announced at a later date.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
