Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus died Wednesday of a heart attack at his home in Bellevue, Wash., according to a spokesman for the team.

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Niehaus, 75, had been the team's voice since the Mariners' inception in 1977.

He is surived by his wife Marilyn and their three children, Andy, Matt and Greta, along with six grandchildren.

"This is truly devastating news," said Seattle Mariners chairman Howard Lincoln.

Chuck Armstrong, Seattle Mariners president and COO, added, "Speaking for ourselves, our ownership and the entire Mariners family, our thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn, their children, Andy, Matt and Greta, and the grandchildren.

"Dave has truly been the heart and soul of this franchise since its inception in 1977. Since calling Diego Segui's first-pitch strike on Opening Night in the Kingdome some 34 years ago, Dave's voice has been the constant with the franchise. He truly was the fans connection to every game; to wins and losses; to great plays and heartbreaking defeats; to Hall of Famers and journeymen. With the exception of his love for his wife, Marilyn, his children and grandchildren, there was nothing Dave liked more than the game of baseball and to be at the ballpark. He was the voice of spring and summer in the Northwest.

"He was the fans' choice to throw out the first pitch in Safeco Field history, and no one has had a greater impact on our team's connection to fans throughout the Northwest. One of the best days we've ever spent was in Cooperstown in 2008, as Dave took his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame."

Niehaus received the Ford C. Frick Award and was honored in the broadcasters wing at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.

He has broadcast all but about 100 all of the club's 5,385 games since being hired by the Mariners for their expansion season in 1977 and has been an integral part of the team's personna from Day 1.

He threw out the opening pitch at Safeco Field when the new park debuted in 1999 and was elected into the Washington State Hall of Fame in 2009.

Niehaus joined former first baseman Alvin Davis as the first two members inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2000.

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