Legendary baseball player turned iconic sportscaster, known for his charismatic play-by-play commentary and signature calls, entertaining generations of fans.
Lon Simmons is best known for his iconic play-by-play broadcasts of San Francisco Giants baseball and San Francisco 49ers football, etching himself in the memories of Bay Area sports fans. With a career spanning over five decades, Simmons became synonymous with the thrills and excitement of these two beloved teams.
S Simmons was born on July 19, 1923, in Vancouver, Washington. He grew up to be a star pitcher at Burbank High School and Glendale College before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard. After World War II, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and pitched briefly in their minor league system.
S Simmons' radio career began in Elko, Nevada, where he called Elko High School football and basketball games on KELK. He then moved to Marysville, California, where he announced baseball for a semipro league. After spending three years broadcasting Fresno State sports on KMJ, Simmons came to San Francisco in 1957 as the sports director at KSFO.
In 1957, Simmons became the color commentator for the San Francisco 49ers, teaming with play-by-play announcer Bob Fouts, the father of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts. A year later, he took over as play-by-play announcer on 49ers radio broadcasts, paired with former 49er Gordy Soltau. Over the years, he worked with KSFO disc jockey Gene Nelson and then with former NFL player and KPIX-TV sports director Wayne Walker.
In 1958, Simmons became the second announcer for the newly relocated San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball, teaming with lead announcer Russ Hodges, who moved with the team from New York. To complement Hodges' "Bye Bye Baby" home run call, Simmons created his own, "Tell It Goodbye." When Hodges retired after the 1970 season, Simmons was promoted to lead announcer and teamed with Bill Thompson.
Lon Simmons' legacy extends beyond his iconic calls and awards. He played a significant role in shaping the sports broadcasting landscape in the Bay Area, and his warm, folksy style endeared him to generations of fans. Simmons passed away on April 5, 2015, but his memory lives on in the hearts of Giants and 49ers fans everywhere.
As Simmons himself would say, "Tell it goodbye" to a true sports broadcasting legend.
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