Voice of the Rays Provides "Good Company" for Fans

Dave Wills tries to be "good company" to listeners along the Tampa Bay Rays' radio network. Baseball fans want spring training to begin on time. Two months into MLB's lockout and issues continue to loom between club owners and the players. Inevitably, agreements will be made between both parties, and "Play Ball" will be hollered by umpires.

It's the waiting that has the game's fans anxious for some sense of normalcy. For Rays' fans along Florida's Gulf Coast, and beyond the southeast, listening to Wills, along with his partner Andy Freed is baseball normalcy. When the 2022 season does finally celebrate opening day (Rays' 25th year anniversary), for the 18th season, Wills and Freed will be the eyes and ears for fans listening along the club's 17-station network.

The trust Rays' fans have bestowed upon Wills, beginning back in the 2005, is for many like listening to a best friend or favorite uncle telling them a baseball story that lasts nine innings, and beyond. Telling stories to Tampa baseball fans isn't taken lightly by Wills. And during a recent telephone conversation with Wills, his passion and commitment to the region and Rays' fans are obvious. Landing a job at Tropicana Field wasn't always on Wills' radar, but he's glad that it did.

"Back in 1990, I was coaching baseball in Chicago (University of Illinois Chicago). I'm 25 or 26 years old, having fun, and I thought that I would be doing that for the rest of my life."

"Then, I called my old pitching coach Mike Young, who was managing the Wausau Timber Rattlers (Class A Midwest League). He recommended that I get out of coaching, and into broadcasting."

Wills needed a demo tape to pass along to Young, who was dedicated to helping out his friend. So, Wills ventured to the perfect stage in Chicago to create an audio resume - Wrigley Field.

"I set up a table, plugged in a mixer, and I'm calling an afternoon Cardinals-Cubs game. The tape gets sent in," recalls Wills.

Through Young's persistency, and Wills' demo, an interview was secured with ownership of the Kane County Cougars. As a Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles at the time, Wills was years away from the comfy confines of the Trop's broadcast booth.

With the Cougars' new home opening for the 1991 season in Geneva (IL), Wills was hired to, among other duties, be the radio voice at Elfstrom Stadium - located just 36 miles from downtown Chicago.

" Originally, when I met the general manager, I was told the position required selling, some public relations, and maybe a handful of games on the radio would be mixed in. After several interviews, and then being hired, at the beginning of the season the GM told me that I would be doing all the games on radio," Wills said.

Wills easily shares detailed memories of his time with the Cougars. He reminisces about manager Carlos Tosca, who would go on to become an MLB manager, the 140-game schedule, cold-weather games, and in all just having a blast.

Life in the low minors has multiple memories for Wills, including becoming familiar with the term "all hands on deck."

" I remember driving home from a game in South Bend (IN), and getting back to the ballpark around 2:30 AM. I'm dropping off the equipment in the broadcast booth, and the lights were on," says Wills, who can be heard in the Tampa area on the Rays' flagship station WDAE 95.3 FM and 620 AM.

" (management) were still getting the field ready for the home opener scheduled for the next day. They had me helping put up signs in the outfield. I stayed until 4:00 or 5:00 AM, and was ready for the game's 3:00 PM start."

It was prior to the Cougars' season getting underway that Wills began to dream of a future in baseball's big-time broadcasting world. His new employer flew him down to Sarasota (FL), for spring training. Wills tells of benefiting from spending time with Orioles staff and players, for his preparation for Cougars baseball.

"I did my homework and read the media guides. I was confident that I could do this," explains Wills of his breaking into broadcasting.

Thoughts of how much fun could calling games on the radio from big-league parks be, if Wills was learning his craft in the minors just a Dave Kingman home run from the big time in Chicago?

Fast forward to 2005.

Wills was keeping busy with his broadcasting schedule. He's handling Chicago White Sox pre and post-game radio shows, and UIC men's basketball, among other assignments.

Fate intercedes.

" I'm walking the streets of Wilmington (NC), and I get a call from an old program director. He tells me that Tampa is looking for someone for their radio team and that my name has come up," reveals Wills.

At the time of this unsuspected call, Wills was in a good spot professionally. He tells of at the time, having four or five things going. Moving wasn't even a thought, much less an option. After just purchasing a new home, Wills gambled against time, and hesitated on making a move, either way, on following up on a possible interview with the Rays.

"I sat on it for one week, then sent a resume, and CD. On December 23, I made the first cut. I was then asked to provide a letter of reference and salary expectations. I never consulted anyone about this," remembers Wills.

Come February 1 (2005), Wills received the call from the Rays wanting to add him to their radio broadcast team.

"On March 1, we (with Freed) did a mock broadcast, to appease ownership. We're in Sarasota, and there was a comfort factor in our broadcast with the White Sox game," Wills tells.

Wills looks back to the unofficial "tryout" broadcast of a half-inning working with Freed as - wow! He says that it felt like the two had been working together for 10 years.

Welcome to the Rays.

That first broadcast of the 2005 Rays schedule remains clear as a whistle for Wills.

"We were pumped up. We shook hands, and said let's go to work."

Right from the onset of his relationship with Rays' listeners, Wills has displayed the courage and confidence to give them the most honest and accurate painting of what he sees on the field. Both Wills and Freed try to be "good company" to their audiences.

That first season ('05), offered adjustments for Wills, personally and professionally. There was a hint of homesickness. Wills was becoming acquainted with his new surroundings in Central Florida, while his wife and daughter were still back in Illinois. They later joined him in June.

With the many seasons of transition, good times including the pennant-winning season of 2020, and turbulent seasons, Wills' calming voice for Rays' fans remains a constant winner. While home attendance is near baseball's bottom, according to Wills, Rays' radio numbers are really, really good.

Once baseball's legal business is straightened out, and you hear Wills' voice in your car, at the pool, or in your man cave, then you know all is well. Life at the Trop and beyond is back to baseball normalcy.