Mr. 5000: Producer-Engineer Kevin Cremin
When the Mariners play the Kansas City Royals on Friday evening at Safeco Field, it will mark the 5,000th game that Kevin Cremin has produced and engineered for the Mariners Radio Network since he joined the organization in 1983.
He has been mentioned so many times on the air that he is more often referred to in the Northwest as “Producer-Engineer Kevin Cremin” that he is as “Kevin Cremin.” A quick story: In the late 1980s, his sister Kate couldn’t find his phone number on New Year’s Day, so she called information in Seattle. She asked for a number for Kevin Cremin. The operator asked her, “Do you mean producer-engineer Kevin Cremin?”
It is appropriate that the Mariners are playing the Royals this weekend. Kevin is a lifelong baseball fan. As a native of Tulsa, OK, he followed several Major League teams, but Kansas City was nearest team and where he was able to see games in person while growing up. And it was in Kansas City in 1982 where he was asked by the late Grayle Howlett of KVI Radio to go and assist with the Mariners radio broadcast on the road.
For both Mariners trips to Kansas City in 1982, Kevin covered the pregame and postgame interviews in the clubhouse, researched some stats for the late Dave Niehaus and Ken Wilson, and recommended some local restaurants. Dave was so impressed by Kevin’s work and knowledge of the game that when the season ended, he called to ask if he knew how to produce and engineer radio broadcasts.
Kevin’s honest answer was “no.” But Dave and then-GM of KVI Shannon Sweatte were so intrigued by his baseball savvy and love of the game that they determined Kevin could learn how to engineer a broadcast and get the show on the air. The last 32 years proved they were correct.
Things happened fast for Kevin. He married Margaret on February 15, 1983. A few days later they loaded up a U-haul and drove from Oklahoma to Seattle where he was taught to use the equipment. Three days later he headed to Tempe, AZ, for his first spring training broadcast with Dave Niehaus and his brand new partner, Rick Rizzs. Seattle has been his home ever since. It’s where he and Margaret raised their wonderful daughters Colleen and Kate.
Producer-engineer Kevin Cremin still loves coming to the ballpark every day. Around American League ballparks his name is synonymous with Seattle Mariners. Over the years he has also become the go-to guy for restaurant recommendations in every town. He loves to eat and loves to talk about food, which led to his weekly feature in the Mariners Sunday Magazine show, “Road Eats,” as he shares stories about restaurants and their signature entrees.
Kevin went to the University of Oklahoma and remains a huge Sooners fan. From his Dad, he also was a fan of Notre Dame football. But we don’t hold those things against him.
The Mariners radio games moved from KVI to KIRO to KOMO and back to KIRO. While the flagship station has changed over the years, the producer-engineer has remained the same.
Congratulations to Kevin Cremin as we celebrate his 5,000th game and his dedication to Mariners Baseball. “Let’s eat.”
