Hall of Fame broadcaster Lon Simmons dies at 91
Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster Lon Simmons, who called games on the radio for the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, has died at the age of 91.
Simmons was best known as the longtime voice of the Giants. He broadcasted the team's games starting when the club moved to San Francisco in 1958.
Giants president Larry Baer issued a statement praising Simmons' contributions to baseball and the Giants franchise.
"Like many fans, my earliest Giants memories were listening to Lon and Russ on my transistor radio," Baer said in a statement. "Hearing his broadcasts ignited my and thousands of others' passion for Giants baseball. He will be deeply missed by all of us."
Major League Baseball also released a statement offering condolences to Simmons' family and the Giants organization.
49ers CEO Jed York expressed his sadness at the loss of Simmons, who called some of the most memorable plays and games in 49ers history.
Simmons retired from broadcasting in 2002. He called 23 seasons of Giants baseball over three different stretches, and he spent 15 years with the A's, according to the San Jose Mercury-News. He also broadcasted 26 seasons of 49ers football.
He was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame's broadcasters' wing in 2004.
- Stanley Kay
