Saturday, July 25, 2009 - Page updated at 11:30 p.m.

Voices of the Game: Broadcaster bios, audio and polls

Dave Niehaus

Age: 74, born Feb. 19, 1935, in Princeton, Ind.
College: Indiana University (1957).
Family: Wife Marilyn, children Andy, Matt and Greta, six grandchildren (Zach, Steven, Madeline, Alexa, Audrey and Spencer).
Broadcast history: Worked for Armed Forces Radio and TV service, calling Dodgers games in Los Angeles and Yankees games in New York as well as basketball and hockey. From 1969 to 1976, broadcast California Angels games, teaming with Dick Enberg and Don Drysdale. Also broadcast UCLA football and basketball (1973-76). In 1977, was hired by the expansion team in Seattle, the Mariners, to be their lead announcer, a job he still holds. Called his 5,000th Mariners broadcast May 7.
Awards: Given the Ford C. Frick Award and inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. Named one of The Seattle Times’ Top 10 Most Influential People of the Century. Served as grand marshal of the Seafair Parade. Named Washington state broadcaster of the year in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2004 by the Washington State Association of Broadcasters. Inducted into the Puget Sound Sports Hall of Fame. Received the 2004 One World Award from the Washington Council of the Blind. Honored in 1997 by the Washington state House of Representatives for “contributions to the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.” Threw out ceremonial first pitch for inaugural game at Safeco Field in 1999. Inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame and the Washington State Hall of Fame.

Audio | Listen to some of his memorable calls and vote for your favorite below

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Steve Raible

Age: 55, born June 2, 1954 in Louisville, Ky.
College: Georgia Tech (1976).
Family: Wife, Sharon. Lives in Seattle.
Broadcast history: After football injuries ended a six-year NFL career with the Seahawks, he joined KIRO in 1982 as a color commentator for Seahawks radio broadcasts, a backup TV sports anchor and co-host of “PM Magazine.” Worked Seahawks radio booth alongside play-by-play announcers Pete Gross, Steve Thomas, Lee Hamilton and Brian Davis before assuming the play-by-play role in 2004. Has missed just four Seahawks games as a player or broadcaster in the 33-year history of the franchise. In 1993, became the main anchor for KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.
Awards: Won five local Emmy Awards with KIRO-TV, including two for Best Anchor. The 2001 recipient of NCAA Silver Anniversary award. Twice honored with the United Way Community Service award. In 2000, named Outstanding Role Model by Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Gov. Chris Gregoire proclaimed May 4, 2005 Steve Raible Day in honor of his community activities.

Audio | Listen to some of his memorable calls and vote for your favorite below

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Bob Rondeau

Age: 59, born Feb. 9, 1950 in Denver, Colo.
College: University of Colorado (1972).
Family: Wife Molly, children Jordan and Lorrin. Lives in Normandy Park.
Broadcast history: Started in 1972 as news director for KVFC radio in Cortez, Colo. Moved to Denver’s KLAK radio for a news anchor/reporter position in 1973 and took a similar job for KRUX radio in Phoenix in 1975. Started at KOMO radio in Seattle in 1977. Worked as an analyst for UW football and men’s basketball in 1978 and ’79. Assumed play-by-play duties for football in 1980 and basketball in 1985. In 1996, began broadcasting horse racing at Emerald Downs.
Awards: Inducted in the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame (2009). Five-time winner of the Washington State Sportscaster of the Year award given by the National Sportscasters and Sports writers Association. Voted the Colorado Broadcast Newsman of the Year by The Associated Press in 1973.

Audio | Listen to some of his memorable calls and vote for your favorite below

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Bob Robertson

Age: 80, born March 14, 1929 in Fullerton, Calif.
College: Western Washington (1948).
Family: Wife Joanne, children Hugh, John, Janna and Rebecca, two grandchildren. Lives in University Place.
Broadcast history: Passed on a chance to play minor-league baseball for the Portland Beavers to broadcast games for the Wenatchee Chiefs, a minor-league baseball team in the Class B Western International League (1949-50). Spent two years (1955-56) at Notre Dame broadcasting sports. Moved to Fresno, Calif., in 1956 to call baseball games. In 1964, hired to be the voice of Washington State. He’s held the job since, with the exception of a three-year stint (1969-71) when he broadcast Washington football and basketball. In 1999, he began broadcasting games for minor-league Spokane Indians baseball team. Calls Pacific Lutheran University men’s and women’s basketball games. Has also provided play-by-play for the Tacoma Rainiers, Sounders, Seattle Totems hockey, Seattle University men’s basketball, boxing, wrestling, hydroplanes, table tennis, roller derby and Mariners.
Awards: In 2004, the College Football Hall of Fame presented him with its Chris Schenkel Award. Inducted in the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (2007), the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame (2001) and the Inland Northwest Hall of Fame (2001). Twelve-time winner of the Washington State Sportscaster of the Year award.

Audio | Listen to some of his memorable calls and vote for your favorite below

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Kevin Calabro

Age: 53, born June 27, 1956.
College: Butler University (1978).
Family: Wife Susan; children Anthony, Nick, Lauren and Joe.
Broadcast history: Started in 1980 at WIBC Radio in Indianapolis, where he did play-by-play for a minor-league hockey team. In 1983, he began broadcasting Kansas City Kings basketball games. Chosen in 1987 to work alongside Bob Blackburn, the original voice of the Sonics. Replaced Blackburn in the early 1990s and held the position until 2008, when the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City. Hired July 2008 to handle play-by-play duties for the expansion Sounders FC soccer club. Has also been a play-by-play contributor for TNT, TBS and ESPN Radio broadcasts for NBA games. In January, signed with 710 ESPN Radio to host a three-hour sports talk show.
Awards: Named Sportscaster of the Year for the state of Washington in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 by the National Sportscasters and Sports writers Association of America.

Audio | Listen to some of his memorable calls and vote for your favorite below

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