{"id":16512,"date":"2025-10-10T20:15:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T03:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=16512"},"modified":"2025-10-10T20:15:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T03:15:01","slug":"award-winning-broadcaster-craig-heist-dies-at-66","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2025\/10\/10\/award-winning-broadcaster-craig-heist-dies-at-66\/","title":{"rendered":"Award-Winning Broadcaster Craig Heist Dies at 66"},"content":{"rendered":"

Award-winning broadcaster Craig Heist, who covered the Washington Nationals<\/a> and Baltimore Orioles<\/a>, passed away at 66 on Friday. The cause of death has not been released. Audacy\u2019s 106.7 \u201cThe Fan,\u201d where Heist had worked since 2013, confirmed his death.<\/p>\n

\u201c106.7 The Fan is saddened by the passing of our longtime friend Craig Heist,\u201d the network said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cCraig was a longtime anchor and reporter for 106.7 The Fan and postgame host on the Nationals Radio Network, and had a storied career at stations across the Mid-Atlantic region.\u201d<\/p>\n

Award Winning Broadcaster<\/h4>\n

Heist began his award-winning broadcasting career with WKHI in Ocean City where he served as a play-by-play and color commentator for high school sports. He then spent 14 years at WTOP before joining 106.7 The Fan. Heist later went on to win the National Sports Media Association D.C. Sportscaster of the Year award in 2020 and 2023.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Washington Nationals are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Craig Heist,\u201d Nationals vice chairman Mark D. Lerner said<\/a> in a statement.<\/p>\n

“A long-time Nationals radio broadcaster, Craig was a fixture in the press box, in the clubhouse, and on the field as our team celebrated wins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans liked Heist because of his lively attitude which aided his commentary. According to the Times of India<\/a>, he covered Major League Baseball for over 35 years and showed humor and heart whenever he was on air.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a friend to all who met him, and we will profoundly miss his kindness, enthusiasm, and passion for baseball,\u201d Lerner added.<\/p>\n

The Orioles later paid tribute to Heist in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Orioles are saddened to learn of the passing of Craig Heist, veteran sports broadcaster who covered the team for more than 35 years,\u201d the team said.<\/p>\n

Paying Tribute to Heist<\/h2>\n

Multiple members of the media paid tribute to Heist after learning about his passing. MASN reporter Mark Zuckerman said the press box in the DMV area won\u2019t be the same without Heist.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeisty was loud. He was funny. He was highly opinionated,\u201d Zuckerman wrote<\/a>. \u201cAnd yet everyone who interacted with him adored him because he genuinely cared about everyone he knew. He was the real deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke Jones of Baltimore Positive characterized Heist as \u201cone of a kind and so hopeful\u201d to him and many others.<\/p>\n

\u201cBaseball season won\u2019t be the same without him,\u201d Jones concluded.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/strong>
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>