Frick Award Next for Legacy of Late Rays

Baseball took a punch to the gut this past week, with the passing of longtime Tampa Bay Rays’ radio voice Dave Wills.

In most instances, when life events transpire unexpectedly, they seem to have an even greater impact on those closest to those affected. In the passing of Wills, 58, last Sunday in his sleep, his family as well as the Rays community were devastated.

Many of the tens of thousands of Rays fans who religiously tuned into radio casts hosted by Wills for the past 18 seasons, along with his partner Andy Freed, had never met him. Those same baseball fans would swear they knew Wills as a favorite uncle.

Wills was their connection to what transpired during a Rays game. Listeners trusted Wills. He became their extended family. That is why, one week ago, baseball fans, particularly in the Tampa-St. Pete area, were shocked when learning of Wills’ passing.

Just hours earlier, Wills and Freed were calling the Rays-Yankees game. I know this because I was one of so many with ears glued to my radio while battling traffic on I-75. Wills informed us that he would have the following day off, and it would be Freed calling the action during the Rays’ road exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota.

Sadly, there would be no next game with Wills at the microphone.

Too bad for any baseball fan who never had the privilege of listening to Wills work his word magic. 18 years with the Rays, and prior to those 11 seasons being part of the Chicago White Sox radio broadcasts, Wills lived a life he loved, and most could only imagine.

A pregame tribute is planned at Tropicana Field on April 22, prior to the Rays-White Sox game. After that, a full-fledged campaign should be discussed for yet another well-deserved honor for the contributions Wills made to his craft.

Annually, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum presents the Ford C. Frick Award to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball.“ Hall of Famer Frick, who was an MLB commissioner, broadcaster, and sportswriter, played a major role in the establishment of the game’s shrine in Cooperstown, New York.

The Frick Award is a major honor. Wills will forever be remembered as a major success to an organization and its public. Baseball is better for Wills’ contributions. Back in 1978, when the first Frick selections (Mel Allen and Red Barber) accepted their honors at Cooper Park, a precedent of broadcast excellence was established.

The lives and work touched by Wills’ work make him undeniably worthy of consideration for the Ford C. Frick Award. Take a poll in the "Sunshine State“, and pull up a chair, baseball fans can entertain you for hours with stories of where they were when specific happenings in Rays history took place, all the while having Wills describe the action.

As much as his visual expertise was to tell stories from a press box about happenings on a ball field, Wills was universally loved by those in uniform, the same as those who purchased tickets to see Rays live action.

Former Rays’ baseman Evan Longoria Tweeted his respect for Wills: "Always a kind, caring, and generous man. I loved listening to his calls...you could always hear the passion for Rays baseball in his voice.“

Another longtime Rays outfielder now with the Toronto Blue Jays, Kevin Kiermaier, also expressed his appreciation for Wills’ giving to baseball with a Tweet: "(Wills) treated everyone great and always brought the energy every single day. Will be missed tremendously.“

Wills’ broadcast partner Freed posted the following heartfelt Tweet last Sunday: "Sadness beyond words today. It always felt like we were actual brothers. Will miss him forever.“

Every MLB market has its identifiable voice on the radio waves. The Dodgers had Scully. The New York Yankees have their Sterling. Milwaukee cherishes Uecker. Well, Wills earned a place in this iconic radio lineup, too.

A couple of seasons back, and new to the area, I called Wills requesting thoughts on his career. He had no reason to follow through with our conversation, but he did. What a treat. Instantly, I was comfortable speaking to this legend. Wills was everything I had thought – a decent human being that happened to be at the top of his field in describing baseball games for an audience that hung on his every word.

One day, I like so many Rays fans hope, Wills’ picture and bio will appear in the Hall’s "Scribes and Mikemen“ exhibit in the National Baseball Library.

Let the campaign begin.