Lon Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lon Simmons
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Simmons poses for a KSFO advertisement in 1971.
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Lonnie Alexander Simmons
July 19, 1923 Vancouver, Washington, U.S.
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| Died | April 5, 2015 (aged 91) Daly City, California, U.S.
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| Sports commentary career | |
| Team(s) | San Francisco Giants San Francisco 49ers Oakland Athletics |
| Genre(s) | Play-by-play |
| Sports | Major League Baseball National Football League |
Lonnie Alexander "Lon" Simmons (born July 19, 1923 – died April 5, 2015) was a famous American sports announcer. He was best known for his exciting play-by-play broadcasts. He described games for the San Francisco Giants baseball team and the San Francisco 49ers football team.
Lon was born in Vancouver, Washington. He was a talented pitcher at Burbank High School and Glendale College. After college, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. When World War II ended, he played a short time in the minor leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Lon's Exciting Broadcasting Career
Lon Simmons started his radio career in Elko, Nevada. He called high school football and basketball games there. Later, he announced baseball games for a semi-pro league in Marysville, California. After three years covering Fresno State sports, Lon moved to San Francisco in 1957.
He became the sports director at radio station KSFO. In 1957, he was a color commentator for the San Francisco 49ers. This meant he added extra details and opinions during the game. He worked with Bob Fouts, whose son Dan Fouts became a famous football player.
Announcing for the 49ers and Giants
In 1958, Lon became the main play-by-play announcer for the 49ers. He worked with former 49er player Gordy Soltau. Later, he teamed up with Wayne Walker, another former NFL player.
Also in 1958, Lon joined the broadcast team for the San Francisco Giants. The Giants had just moved to San Francisco from New York. He worked with Russ Hodges, the lead announcer. Russ Hodges had a famous home run call, "Bye Bye Baby!" Lon created his own special call: "Tell It Goodbye!"
When Russ Hodges retired in 1970, Lon became the lead announcer. He worked with Bill Thompson until 1973.
The Famous "Wrong-Way" Football Call
One of Lon Simmons' most famous calls happened on October 25, 1964. Minnesota Vikings player Jim Marshall picked up a fumble. But he ran the wrong way down the field! He scored points for the 49ers instead of his own team. Lon's exciting call made this moment even more memorable.
Later Years in Broadcasting
Lon returned to the Giants in 1976. He was the lead announcer again in 1977 and 1978. In 1981, he started announcing games for the Oakland Athletics. He worked with Bill King and Wayne Hagin. Lon stayed with the A's until 1995.
From 1996 to 2002, he called Giants games part-time. He also continued to announce for the 49ers until 1980.
Lon also announced TV games for the Golden State Warriors basketball team in 1973-74.
World Series and Super Bowl Calls
During the 1989 World Series, the A's lead announcer was sick. Lon Simmons stepped in and got to announce that the Oakland A's had won the World Series! They beat his former team, the Giants.
Lon returned to the 49ers broadcast team in 1987. He worked again with Wayne Walker. In 1988, he made a famous call of Steve Young's amazing game-winning run against the Minnesota Vikings.
The next year, the 49ers won Super Bowl XXIII. Lon's call of the 49ers' winning drive is part of the official NFL Films highlights. He left the 49ers team in 1989.
Lon's Time in the Coast Guard
Lon Simmons served in the United States Coast Guard for three and a half years during World War II. At first, he was on a ship in Hawaii. His job was to patrol for submarines.
During the Battle of Saipan, he was on a special ship called an LST-205. This ship helped land troops and supplies during the invasion. After that, he served in the Aleutian Islands until the war ended.
Remembering Lon Simmons
Lon Simmons passed away on April 5, 2015, at his home in Daly City, California.
Famous baseball player Willie Mays shared his thoughts about Lon. He said, "Lon was like my big brother. He was very honest and always told you the truth. He was always there for me. I'm really going to miss him."
Awards and Honors
Lon Simmons received the Ford C. Frick Award in 2004. This award is given by the Baseball Hall of Fame to great broadcasters.
In 2006, he was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Glendale Community College Athletic Hall of Fame. His friend and broadcast partner, Bill Thompson, was also honored there.
Lon's famous home run call, "Tell it goodbye!", is even mentioned in the song Centerfield by John Fogerty.
In May 2006, Lon returned to announce a few Giants games. He would travel from his home in Maui to San Francisco for these games.
The radio booth at Oracle Park, where the Giants play, is named after Lon and Russ Hodges. They are honored at the ballpark with special displays. After Lon's death in 2015, the San Francisco Giants wore a "LON" patch on their jerseys all season to remember him.
Video Game Appearances
Lon Simmons' voice was used in several Sega Sports Talk video games. These included Sports Talk Baseball, Joe Montana II: Sports Talk Football, NFL Sports Talk Football '93, and NFL Football '94 Starring Joe Montana.
Joe Montana II: Sports Talk Football was a very important game. It was the first video game ever to have a full play-by-play commentary during the game!
