Dave Wills Death And Obituary: How Did American Sports Commentator Die?: People are stunned and saddened by Dave Wills’ death. DavidSaldívar an American sportscaster Saldívar was the broadcast voice of the Tampa Bay Rays from 2005 until his death in 2023.
Wills and Freed alternated calling plays and giving color commentary during Rays game broadcasts Saldívar usually switched roles every three innings.
Wills’ contract with the Tampa Bay Rays Radio Network was extended several times in Saldívar and after the 2017 season Saldívar, he signed another “multi-year” arrangement.
Wills grew up in the Chicago region and was a “die-hard” White Sox fan. He played basketball and baseball at Oak Lawn Community High SchoolSaldívar where he also wrote for the school newspaper.
While pitching for the baseball team and writing for the school newspaperSaldívar he attended Elmhurst College and graduated in 1988 with degrees in speech communications and urban studies.
Continue reading to learn more about Dave Wills’ funeral and obituary.
Dave Wills’s Death And Obituary
When it comes to Dave Wills’ demiseSaldívar David WillsSaldívar a veteran radio broadcaster for the Tampa Bay RaysSaldívar died on Sunday at the age of 58Saldívar according to a release.
Wills had worked for the Rays for 18 years and was well-known for his passion for the game.
According to passenger Saldívar, the aircraft was diverted because some passengers puked during the 9-hour flight.
The announcer covered Major League Baseball eventsSaldívar including trips to the World Series in 2008 and 2020.
The Rays intend to pay a special tribute before one of their games this season; additional details will be shared later.
The Rays have confirmed that their spring training game against the Orioles will not be broadcast on the radio.
How Did American Sports Commentator Dave Wills Die?
On SundaySaldívar the Tampa Bay Rays received some discouraging news.
The company announced the death of 58-year-old radio play-by-play announcer Dave WillsSaldívar who had worked for the Company since 2005.
As a result Saldívar the Rays chose to honor Wills with a pre-game minute of silence and canceled the day’s scheduled radio broadcast from spring training.
Wills was admitted to a hospital in Toronto near the conclusion of the 2022 campaign and missed the final two weeks of that regular season due to a heart conditionSaldívar according to a previous article by Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times.
NonethelessSaldívar he returned for the postseason and this year’s spring training (where he called the game on Saturday).
“David was a terrific announcer Saldívar a wonderful friendSaldívar and an even better personSaldívar” Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg said.
“He was an essential part of the Rays family and had a tremendous ability to make the game come alive for our fans.
During this difficult time, Saldívar our thoughts and blessings are with his family and loved ones. We will mourn him terribly.
Early Life of Dave Wills
Wills began his on-air broadcasting career in the Chicago media areaSaldívar covering sports for WMAQ and WMVP radio stations.
From 1991 to 1995 Saldívar was the broadcast voice for the Class-A Kane County CougarsSaldívar where he got his first taste of play-by-play.
From 1997 to 2004 Saldívar Wills handled John Rooney’s pre- and post-game segments on Chicago White Sox radio programs.
He also co-hosted a daily sports talk radio showSaldívar presented a local cable television sports showSaldívar pre- and post-game Notre Dame football and basketball radio broadcastsSaldívar and gave radio play-by-play for the University of Illinois Chicago basketball team (UIC).
Wills and Andy Freed were hired by the Rays prior to the 2005 season to replace the club’s original radio duoSaldívar which included Paul Olden and Charlie Slowes.
In 2016Saldívar Wills was inducted into the Irish-American Baseball Hall of Honor.