What are some of your favorite calls from Staats? When he's done with broadcasting, hes going to be sorely missed.

Two of my favorite are his calls for Jim Abbott's no-hitter and actually Longo's first homerun in Game 162. It had so much passion behind it, and I prefer it to the walk off.

Link the call too if you can find it!

Jim Abbott:
https://youtube.com/shorts/1YZCGD09sGI?si=SB5z0uKLzi02swNq

Longoria 3-run homer:
https://youtu.be/EU_Pc3bmMXg?si=KSqPSfokoT-W4RZw

4 comments

  1. Game 162, but the walk-off.

    Also, I know we’re talking about Dewaynne Staats here.

    But Dave Wills “Rays Win, Rays Win, Rays Win” at the end of every game was top tier. When I was in high school and couldn’t afford an MLB.TV subscription (im not that old btw) I could afford a radio subscription, and I grew to enjoy Neil and Dave more than Dewaynne and BA. I was devastated when Dave passed away.

  2. I’ve got a few here. [This call](https://youtu.be/Kl_DE1R4M4s) from earlier in his career is really well-done, in my view, and seems to perfectly track the action on the field.

    My favorite collection of Dewayne’s calls has to be him announcing Dan Johnson’s pivotal home runs in [2010](https://youtu.be/RI6XrYgCQZc) and, more obviously, [2011](https://youtu.be/RL4kOF3oylI). In both calls, he references a Johnson home run from 2008 that was a key moment in the Rays’ run to the playoffs that year. By referencing the 2008 home run, I think he masterfully ties Johnson’s clutch moments together for more avid Rays fans while also alerting casual watchers that this guy (who they’ve probably never heard of) has delivered for the Rays before.

    My single favorite is probably his call of Carlos Peña’s opening day grand slam in [2012](https://youtu.be/ZNlT9Z5-Ofc?si=4MN7ucp2T9mFLjfK), in Peña’s first game back with the Rays after a year in Chicago. His enthusiasm really breaks through. Having a Rays lifer like him in the booth is awesome, especially with the turnover that the Rays always have, and I’m not sure I’ll be ready to hear a voice other than his calling Rays games when he’s gone.

  4. Staats: Tune in tomorrow, first pitch at 12:35.
    Brian Anderson: Oh, we got a nooner! I love nooners!
    Staats: Do you now…?
    BA: Oh yeah. Love ’em. When we get a nooner, I’m coming in hot.
    Staats: OK, good to know.

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