Dave Wills, Rays Radio Announcer, Dead at 58

Dave Wills, Rays Radio Announcer, Dead at 58

The Tampa Bay Rays were saddened to learn about the death of 58-year-old radio broadcaster Dave Wills on Sunday. He was the team’s radio broadcaster for the past 18 years.

The team did not broadcast a radio version of their Spring Training game against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

“Dave was an outstanding broadcaster, a great friend, and an even better person,” Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said.

“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.”

The team observed a moment of silence on Sunday during the same game against the Orioles at Tropicana Field.

“It was confusing because we just saw the guy and it’s just crazy how fast things can happen,” star pitcher Shane McClanahan said to the Tampa Bay Times.

“We’re thinking about him and his family. We’re gonna miss him.”

Wills was well respected throughout Tampa Bay sports. Before he was in Tampa, he was a Chicago native and worked for the White Sox for 11 seasons on the White Sox Radio Network.

“The White Sox organization extends condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of radio broadcaster Dave Wills, who passed away at age 58,” The White Sox said in a statement via Twitter.

Wills missed the final two weeks of the 2022 season with a heart condition. He was, however, able to return to the air for the Rays’ final two games of the season in the playoffs in Cleveland.

The news of Wills’ passing is especially upsetting due to the fact that Wills had broadcasted a game for the Rays just a day before. Here is his final call, a Rays win:

Dave Wills’s final call as a radio voice of the Rays. I am absolutely in shock and stunned by his passing. Just listened to him call the Yankees spring training game yesterday. #RIPDaveWills pic.twitter.com/77VML6ZAtn

— Gershon Rabinowitz (@GershOnline) March 5, 2023

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