Baseball Bourbon & Cigars Event at the Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House with The Florida Sports Hall of Fame, began with a touching tribute to Celebrate the Life of Tampa Bay Rays Longtime Broadcaster Dave Wills.
One year ago, Dave was the Emcee at this same event. I posted a photo, of myself and Dave on 3/5/23. May Dave Wills R.I.P. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
the only appropriate given tonight
they're doing a celebration of life for
him at Tropicana Field uh very
unexpected passing but uh we love Dave
last year at this time my mother-in-law
was bedridden weeks away from passing
in their love and passion for the Tampa
Bay Rays and upcoming season was
unaffected
she couldn't wait for the start of
season
knowing she would never visit Tropicana
Field again in her life
I contacted my friend and radio race
broadcaster Dave Wills without
hesitation Dave made a get well Memaw
video with other Rays broadcasters that
included insights on the 2022 team this
act of human kindness is one of
countless examples
of Dave Wills
Dave was widely respected and recognized
as an elite major league baseball
broadcaster
starting his professional career in 1997
with the Chicago White Sox radio network
eight years later he would migrate south
to become the voice of the Tampa Bay
Rays
for 18 years Dave shared his beautiful
gift of Storytelling
and Sage baseball insights in real time
with that rich baritone voice of his
a voice that resonated up and down the
Gulf Coast of Florida
[Applause]
for Baseball fans Dave provided the
ultimate soundtrack of Summer
On a related note he loved Casey Kasem's
top 40 countdown replays on satellite
ready radio 70s on 7. little did he know
that many of his calls were as memorable
as many of those songs
from Pena conquerors a green monster and
a strikeout and stare down
two arrows to a rosarina going yard in
game four of the World Series recently
Dave's calls were as rememberable as a
plays himself himself
baseball is a sport that truly Embraces
[Applause]
baseball is a sport that truly Embraces
statistics also known as cybermetrics
saber metrics excuse me in this case
it's only appropriate we review a few of
Dave's as a Tampa Bay Rays broadcaster
he called over 26 000 innings
eight postseason clinches
62 postseason games
two perfect games
five no-hitters and a treasure Trove of
memorable calls
and 18 years with the same organization
is extraordinary
there's only one guy I know with more
tenure at the raise and that's my man
behind me DJ Fresh
[Applause]
and he adored Liz Michelle Alex and his
German Shepherd Bella
my heart aches for them tonight
Dave had such a warm and engaging
personality
a kindness it was a reflection of a
Chicago roots and
he would always remind you that he's
from the south side of Chicago
he was always welcoming when I when I
did his office the broadcast Booth
during a game or at home in this man
cave called Dave's dugout
Dave was a pillar in the community his
charity work and commitment to community
was endless
for Buddy baseball to the raised
foundation events he was always there
volunteering his Time treasure and
talent
they felt blessed in his position and
recognized a sense of responsibility to
the fans and to the community
personally he never once told me that he
could not help a Cause
in fact he was scheduled to emcee this
Florida Sports Hall of Fame event
tonight
that my friends was Dave Wills
I encourage each of you to go home
tonight and hug your family and tell
them how much you love them
because life is truly precious
rip Dave you'll be forever missed
Steve thank you very well
