:format(webP)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/N2RRAGN3DJBMHNE5BYGFH7WAUI.JPG "The Rays pause for a moment of silence for longtime radio announcer Dave Wills before an exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles Sunday at Tropicana Field.")
The Rays’ extended family, Tampa Bay area and Major League Baseball, as well as his hometown of Chicago, were shocked to wake up to the news Sunday morning of the death of Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills.
The Rays canceled a planned radio broadcast of Sunday’s exhibition against the Orioles and observed a moment of silence before the game. The team will honor Wills with a special pregame tribute during the season, with details to be announced at a later date.
In the meantime, teams, colleagues, and radio listeners took to social media to express condolences, post tributes and share stories of their interactions with the convivial Wills, 58, who called Rays games for the past 18 seasons after 11 with the White Sox.
Here is a sampling of what they had to say:
The Tampa Bay Rays are deeply saddened to announce the passing of longtime radio announcer Dave Wills.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 5, 2023
A beloved figure throughout the Tampa Bay community and Major League Baseball, he will be missed dearly. pic.twitter.com/k9iiQOsL4u
Yesterday was like every other day for the last 18 years. Sharing. Laughs. Baseball. Fun. No way to know it was the last time. Sadness beyond words today. It always felt like we were actual brothers. Will miss him forever. Love to him and his family. pic.twitter.com/pHnHAbwL2J
— Andrew Freed (@AndrewFreed33) March 5, 2023
RIP Dave Wills What a guy. Treated everyone great and always brought the energy every single day. Will be missed tremendously. Much love Dave
— Kevin Kiermaier (@KKiermaier39) March 5, 2023
Dave was the big brother I didn't have growing up.
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) March 5, 2023
Larger than life and a great friend. It's hard to believe yesterday we were all together in the booth. It doesn't seem real.
We are stunned and heartbroken. All of our thoughts are with Liz, Michelle and Alex. https://t.co/semHEGgzf6
Heartbreaking news: #Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills died early this morning. He was 58, had been with team since 2005, and immensely popular and well-liked. Team canceled today’s schedule broadcast, will have a moment of silence before game.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 5, 2023
Absolutely devastated does not come close. I don’t have the words.
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) March 5, 2023
Heartbroken for his family. Heartbroken for Rays fans.
I can’t imagine going to the ballpark everyday and not seeing him. We love you Dave. https://t.co/23qdXc7BbQ
This was the last text I have from @davewills34.
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) March 5, 2023
He was encouraging me after someone did something not so kind, as tends to happen in the business sometimes!
He went out of his way to encourage me & I’ll never forget his words.
“Don’t let them take that away from you.”
He… https://t.co/GdSbU49urt pic.twitter.com/35KRNtDB3t
Gone too soon. Dave Wills commanded attention with his powerful voice and generated incredible energy for @RaysBaseball. His uplifting spirit was a blessing to our @StPeteFL community.
— Ken Welch (@MayorKenWelch) March 6, 2023
it is with a very heavy heart we report that @davewills34 of @RaysRadio has passed away at the age of 58.
— 95.3 WDAE & AM 620 (@953WDAE) March 5, 2023
Thank you Dave! #RaysUp @RaysBaseball @RaysRadio pic.twitter.com/T5Fuo1cOKY
Keeping you and Dave’s loved ones in our thoughts 💙
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 5, 2023
Andy, I will never forget how the two of you talked me down from an out-of-body experience before my 1st radio game. It was generous and supportive - a description of Dave, as you know. It was always a pleasure to visit with you. Please accept my most sincere condolences.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) March 5, 2023
I've been trying to piece my thought together about the passing of Dave Wills, but it's tough to think of him in the past tense. I produced #Rays Radio broadcasts his first five years with the team, and the joy I got working with him and Andy every day is something I cherish.
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) March 5, 2023
Devastated https://t.co/kvg83AM1F3
— Denis Phillips (@DenisPhillipsWx) March 5, 2023
Dave Wills was on the call for the best moment in Rays history.
— Nick Geddes (@NickGeddesNews) March 5, 2023
“This improbable season has another chapter to it. The Rays are going to the World Series.”pic.twitter.com/C8Yc6zKtD7
The loss of Dave Wills is truly saddening. He was one of my inspirations to become a broadcaster. He always gave me great advice. My prayers are with his family and friends, and broadcast partners @AndrewFreed33 @neilsolondz This is a sad day. Dave is resting in a better place.😢 pic.twitter.com/LqHgzTDeao
— Broc (@BrocD8) March 5, 2023
Heartbreaking news: RIP beloved #Rays broadcaster Dave Wills https://t.co/EFMok473ju
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 5, 2023
I am truly shocked to hear #Rays radio announcer Dave Wills passed away. I met him & interacted with him on Twitter many times over the years and considered him a friend. pic.twitter.com/M9ZAFgdUE3
— AJ ✨🎢 (@aimster_17) March 5, 2023
With deepest sympathy, the UIC Department of Athletics is sad to hear of the passing of longtime radio announcer Dave Wills.
— UIC Flames Athletics 🔥 (@UICFlames) March 5, 2023
Wills called UIC men's basketball games from 1997-2005. The Flames are thinking of Wills and his family today. pic.twitter.com/cl1LQkvqyO
I just learned of the passing of Dave Wills-Voice of the Tampa Bay Rays-who grew up in Chicago as a White Sox fan, coached baseball- worked radio in Chicago-did pbp for the Rays in 2005. Dave was a great man. I am shocked and stunned. My thoughts and prayers are with his family
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) March 5, 2023
Dave was one of my favorite people in baseball. He was always happy to see you, always had a hug and a good story for me. He was a smart, funny and kind friend. We are heartbroken and devastated for his wife and daughter. https://t.co/UDBcxJHpM5
— Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) March 5, 2023
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
Just heartbroken to hear the news of Dave Wills passing. An absolute icon, a tremendously generous and kind man, and somebody who has given Rays fans so many cherished memories of his calls
— Darby Robinson (@darby_robinson) March 5, 2023
RIP Dave, and peace be with the Wills family
The White Sox organization extends condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of radio broadcaster Dave Wills, who passed away at age 58.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 5, 2023
⁰Wills worked 11 seasons on the White Sox Radio Network with John Rooney and the late Ed Farmer as a pre and postgame host. https://t.co/vI8RLmySJd
Thank you for all of the love, Dave Wills. As a Rays fan growing up, I always admired your call and how you went about your business. Hearing you say my name on a @RaysRadio broadcast just a few years later was a feeling I’ll never forget. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6bBroCzHoq
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) March 5, 2023
Horrible news. Met few people with as much passion for baseball and the Rays as Dave had. And he wore it on his sleeve. Such a good man. An incredible presence who will be missed so much throughout the game. Just devastating. https://t.co/N3eu4nWCWj
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) March 5, 2023
I am heartbroken to hear this news. A shocker, gone way too early in life. A great guy! RIP Dave! This Sunday sucks. @RaysBaseball @RaysRadio
— tom korun (@TomKorun) March 5, 2023
Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills dies at age 58https://t.co/FFlkAkj4Qk pic.twitter.com/NN9WlyAmL3
There is going to be a ton of memories about how awesome @davewills34 was
— RaysFanGio (@RaysFanGio) March 5, 2023
How about him taking time to visit my son for an interview with my young son
Class act and heaven now has their play by play man FOREVER https://t.co/cZvgvtMpNv
Dave was one of the funniest, most genuine human beings you could ever hope to meet. Had a wonderful time catching up this week over lunch. My heart is absolutely broken. Please pray for his family. 💔 https://t.co/osumfMFvhP
— Dawn Klemish (@Sportsgal25) March 5, 2023
We ( his many friends) are all crushed by the loss of our dear friend Dave Wills.Dave was great person with a heart of gold and a huge talent. My heart goes out to you Liz and the family. Dave lived his dream and excelled in the toughest business to succeed in.🙏⚾️
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) March 5, 2023
I get asked frequently who are the baseball broadcasters I enjoy listening to. The duo of Dave Wills and Andy Freed is always on that list. Among other things, IMO they always did such a great job embracing the franchise.
— Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) March 5, 2023
Tough news to hear. https://t.co/5RiI3TH3Mk
Incredibly heartbreaking news about the passing of #Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills. His love of baseball was infectious and he was one of the real delightful characters of the game. Friend to all and loved by so many. Prayers to his wife, Liz, Michelle and Alex. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/Req96jR3zZ
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 5, 2023
This is such sad news. I loved listening to Andy and Dave even when watching the game on TV. Dave brought so much joy to my family we will miss him dearly. Keeping his and the @RaysBaseball family in my heart and prayer. So sorry for your loss. https://t.co/4Cxf3M9Kw9
— Court Marshall (@cmarsh3409) March 5, 2023
Stunned this morning learning about the loss of our friend Dave Wills. #Rays radio broadcaster with a gift for story telling and the ultimate gentleman.
— Dan Lucas (@WFLADan) March 5, 2023
Sad Sunday morning to learn that Dave Wills is gone. One of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. A tremendous broadcaster with the @whitesox , @RaysBaseball and @UICFlames.
— Tony Compton (@gotonycompton) March 5, 2023
Small world, after ending up on the same flight to Tampa.#RIPDave.#Chicago #WhiteSox #RaysUP @loucanellis pic.twitter.com/wHMiVmqzkG
Absolutely shocked and devastated. RIP Dave Wills. pic.twitter.com/ITNdiXQkhT
— Bolts fan Benny (@thaw345) March 5, 2023
“It sure beats working for a living.”
— Joey Johnston (@joeyjohnston813) March 5, 2023
That was the philosophy of Dave Wills in the @RaysRadio booth. He had so much fun over 18 years bringing us all the games. He WAS fun, smart and kind. Won’t be the same without him. RIP.
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