Dick Enberg, an iconic voice in sports since the late ’60s, is now a broadcaster for the San Diego Padres, and stopped by today to watch a few Mariners throw in the bullpen.

Enberg was hoping to catch old teammate Dave Niehaus, who isn’t yet on scene. The two worked Enberg’s first major league game together – a 1969 exhibition game in Yuma, Ariz.

Now he does tennis for CBS, and his Padres contract allows him to work Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, but he’s  back in baseball for the first time in more than a decade.

He’s  broadcast Angels baseball with Don Drysdale, the NFL with Merlin Olson and tennis with most everyone. Along the way, he’s developed long relationships with players – and a lasting love for baseball.

Padres fans are in for a treat this year. And the Mariners can thank him for his advice to Niehaus, who asked Enberg whether he should take the broadcasting job in Seattle.

Enberg’s answer: “You’ve got to go.”