Former Mariners broadcaster Dave Sims keeps it classy after Yankees' playoff exit

Wednesday was not a good day for the Seattle Mariners, and one way you can tell is how Rick Rizzs started his radio broadcast versus how he ended it. In three hours, he went from celebrating the 30-year anniversary of "The Double" to laying on the cold, hard truth of what Mariners fans had just witnessed in Game 5 of the ALDS.

"So, the Tigers come from behind and they win it this afternoon, and they win it big by the final score of 9-3," said a glum Rizzs at the conclusion of an all-time meltdown by the Mariners.

Meanwhile, in New York, it wasn't a great day for the guy who used to call the Mariners either. Dave Sims had the misfortune of having to put a bow on the New York Yankees' season after they lost Game 4 of the ALDS to the Toronto Blue Jays, and he barely hid his disappointment as he called Cody Bellinger's game-ending strikeout: "Swing and a miss, and that'll do it. The Toronto Blue Jays are going to the American League Championship Series."

It's not the ending Sims had in mind for his first season as the radio voice of the Yankees on WFAN, a role he took over from the legendary John Sterling. But lest anyone think he wishes he had stayed in Seattle, we have it on good authority that the answer is a kind, respectful no.

Dave Sims kindly pushes back on suggestions he should have stayed in Seattle

After Game 4 of the ALDS between New York and Toronto went final, Sims took to X to express his appreciation for everyone who tuned in throughout the year:

A message like this is about what you'd expect, and not just because Sims has a treasured gig in a place where, in his words, "it all started for me." As Mariners fans know from his farewell to Seattle last November, graciousness is just kind of his thing.

There were nonetheless some commenters who tried to bait Sims into expressing regret over missing out on the Mariners' tremendous season and on Cal Raleigh's historic 60-homer effort in particular. Unsurprisingly, Sims didn't take the bait.

"Quite happy in NYC," was his response to one commenter, with another reading; "Hey, I’m very happy being back home. Regret? No! Happy for Cal’s success. Good luck in Game 5 vs. Detroit."

And to another urging him to be honest about regrets: "Regrets? Great run, great friends good times in the PNW. Regrets because the M’s have a longer stay in the post-season? I’m home in NYC. It’s NOT complicated."

So, there you have it. And we appreciate that this is not the first time that Sims refused to take the bait with regard to the Mariners this year. There was also that time way back in March when Suzyn Waldman took a swing at the offense Sims used to call in Seattle, to which he laughed and said: "Don't rub it in! Be nice!"

In exchange for his classiness, it seems only fair to tip our cap to some fun Sims did get to have in the ALDS. His call of Aaron Judge's huge three-run homer in Game 3 was pure Sims, with not one, not two, but three repetitions of "Hey now!"

In any case, we wish Sims the best, and we hope the good luck he sent in the way of his old team comes in handy on Friday. First pitch for Game 5 of the ALDS is set for 5:08 p.m. PT at T-Mobile Park.