Dave Sims sends message to Mariners fans after leaving for Yankees job

In an offseason that will focus so much on who the Mariners will add, the team was dealt a massive off the field blow on Thursday. The speculation finally turned into a reality as play-by-play announcer Dave Sims is on the way out.

It was reported that Sims, the voice of the Seattle Mariners for the last 18 years, would be leaving the pacific northwest and returning to the east coast to take over as the new voice of the New York Yankees to replace the legendary John Sterling.

Sims has been synonymous with New York sports for years, covering a number of outlets as a sports anchor, as well as serving as the New York Knicks radio host for a few years. He has also become a fixture among Big East basketball games for a number of seasons. After all, it's where he's from.

After getting his job with the Mariners in 2007 following the passing of franchise icon Dave Niehaus, Sims would go on to become a fan favorite for Seattle fans, voicing some of the most important Mariners' moments in the team's history. Sims became a well-known figure in Seattle coming up with some of the best catch phrases in the game, including, "Giddy Up! Baby! Giddy up!", "Boomstick Baby", and most recently, "Hey Now."

Dave Sims to replace John Sterling as the voice of the New York Yankees

Once the news of his departure became official, Sims sent a nice message to the fans who have given him all the support over the years.

Sims will take over for Sterling, who served as one of the most iconic voices in sports for 35 years. Sterling abruptly retired earlier this year, and almost immediately names were being throw around about possible replacements. It was reported that Sims interviewed during the Mariners trip to the Bronx in September, something that the Mariners announcer sort of brushed off, stating, "We'll see what happens. I love what I'm doing here in Seattle. New York is home. That's all I can say."

It seemed at this moment most fans figured the writing was on the wall. The voice of the legendary New York Yankees is one of the most desirable jobs amongst sports broadcasters, and Sims is among the best in the game. The fit just made too much sense.

Luckily for Mariners fans, they possess one of the best, young voices in baseball in Aaron Goldsmith, who remained with the team after rumors swirled that he would leave for his hometown St. Louis Cardinals job last offseason. Losing Sims is bittersweet for Mariners fans, as many had grown accustomed to his excitement for the team and city, but now Sims will get to perform in one of the biggest environments in sports, in what seems like a dream job., while the Goldsmith era begins in what should be a promising transition.