ST. PETERSBURG -- On the scoreboard at Tropicana Field, under his photo and name, were the years of Dave Wills’ birth and heartbreaking passing: 1964 and 2023. Between those numbers was not a standard dash, but an exclamation point.
The unconventional punctuation was intentional, according to his daughter, Michelle. It was just one more reminder of how profoundly Wills loved everything about the life he lived.
“My dad said that, ‘I want an exclamation point to explain those years, because they were the most exciting years of my life,’” Michelle Wills said.
Wills’ family and friends joined Rays employees, current and former players and coaches, and other members of the baseball community Thursday night for a private celebration to remember Wills, the Rays' radio broadcaster who passed away suddenly on March 5 at the age of 58.
They came not in black suits and dark dresses, but instead dressed like Wills so often was: in tropical button-down shirts and Rays gear. They shed tears and shared stories of Wills’ humor, kindness, larger-than-life personality and zest for everything he did as a caring husband to Liz, loving father to Michelle and Alex, beloved brother, gregarious friend and as the inimitable radio voice who set out to “lead the league in fun.”
Following a video tribute featuring some of Wills’ famous calls and comments from manager Kevin Cash and principal owner Stu Sternberg, a procession of his friends, family members and colleagues stepped behind a podium to speak.
“We are missing Dave. We will continue to miss Dave. We will always miss Dave,” said Sternberg, who called Wills the best ambassador the organization has ever had. “The marvelous, wonderful mark he left on this organization and on the game of baseball will be felt for generations.”
Wills was behind the microphone for many of the Rays’ greatest moments. Some of them took place not far from the stage set up inside the 162 Landing section down Tropicana Field’s left-field line on Thursday. And one of them will forever stick with Andy Freed, Wills’ friend and broadcast partner for 18 years.
It was Sept. 20, 2008, and Evan Longoria caught a popup from the Twins’ Joe Mauer to clinch the first postseason berth in franchise history. In the booth, Wills’ call was memorable: “The Rays are going to the postseason! In 2008, nine does equal eight! Rays win! Rays win! Rays win!” For Freed, it was unforgettable.
“It’s not my favorite because it was a great call -- which it was. It was because right after he made it, he put his microphone down and he flew across the booth and gave me the biggest bear hug I’ve ever had,” Freed said. “He couldn’t help himself. He was just so damn happy.”
Before joining the Rays, the Chicago native Wills spent 11 seasons as part of the White Sox radio team. That part of his career was highlighted when Rays broadcaster Neil Solondz read a letter written by White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, noting, “In many ways, Chicago never left him. … Every trip the Rays made to Chicago was like the return of the mayor as friends lined up to say their hellos on the field, in the ballpark and in the visiting broadcast booth.”
Childhood friend Dan Ganzer shared stories from their youth in Chicago, ultimately reaching the same conclusion at the end of each tale: “People wanted to be around Dave.” Longtime friend John Winters similarly called Wills “the great connector” for his uncanny ability to bring people together.
Wills’ younger brother, Bill, spoke as a representative of his four younger siblings. Marc Topkin, the Tampa Bay Times’ Rays beat writer, aptly summarized Wills’ tendency to poke fun at others by saying, “He loved to kid, and he kidded who he loved.” Michelle and Alex, his daughter and son, delivered stirring speeches about everything he meant to them and how dearly he will be missed.
“I think everyone can agree that when my dad walked into a room, or a bar, he was the life of the party,” Michelle Wills said. “His infectious personality, smile and laugh made everyone feel like he was their best friend. But for me, he really was mine.”
An emotional night of somber mourning and joyful remembrance ended with a recording of Wills’ final call from the Rays’ 14-10 Spring Training victory over the Yankees on March 4. Before the scoreboard flashed through a slideshow of photos, Wills’ booming baritone voice rang through Tropicana Field.
“Swiiiing and a miss, heeeeeee struck him out. Rays win! Rays win! Rays win!”