Take Me Out to the Wedding

(As told by Dave Niehaus and Rick Rizzs)

It’s a beautiful day out for marriage, ladies and gentlemen. The temperature outside is in the high 70s and the roof here at Safeco Field in Seattle is wide open. We’re here to see an exciting match between Susan Carrell of Portland, Oregon and Dan Albertson of somewhere up in Washington and, Rick, you couldn’t ask for a better day.

That’s right, Dave, you sure couldn’t. This is the nicest setting for a wedding that I’ve seen since the Backyard BBQ of Ed and Christie Kline, way back in 1994. That was a wedding to remember.

Especially the brisket, Rick. Especially the brisket. Well, on to today’s wedding.

Here comes the groom and the groomsmen! They’re working their way across the field, headed for the home dugout. They’re followed in short order by the family members.

Take a look at that! Here comes the groom’s mom. She’s not three steps onto the field and she’s already crying.

This must be a very emotional moment for her, Dave.

I think everybody’s a little choked up today. As the family comes in, you can see the groom over there, waiting at the top step of the home dugout.

He looks ready there, Dave. Full of poise, confidence. He looks like he belongs where all the Mariner greats have waited to take an at-bat.

Let’s hope he gets up there and knocks one out of the park!

And at long last, here comes the bride! She looks great, dressed in the home whites. Talk about poise! She gives her mom a kiss and her dad a big hug. The groom comes down to greet the bride’s family. This is one of the big moments … and there’s a handshake with the father of the bride!

That sure looked like a firm handshake. I think he’s over one of the biggest hurdles and it ought to be smooth sailing from here.

Not so fast, Dave – he’s still got to recite the vows without his voice cracking. Many a man has lost control during the reciting of the vows.

A hush falls over the crowd as the ceremony begins. Dan escorts Susan to home plate, where the groomsmen and bridesmaids await. The bride and groom are addressing the crowd, thanking them and thanking their parents. Wow! Ninety-three years of marriage between the parents! That’s quite a winning streak!

And no voice cracking yet, Dave.

And now they’re set. And the vows! Right down the heart of the plate!

And the kiss!

My, oh, my! The crowd goes wild!