Lon Simmons

Lonnie Alexander Simmons

• Bats unknown, Throws Right

• Born July 19, 1923 in Vancouver, WA USA
• Died April 5, 2015 in Daly City, CA USA

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Biographical Information

Lon Simmons was a longtime broadcaster and Ford Frick Award winner in 2004.

After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Simmons pitched briefly in the minors in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, but his playing career was cut short by a back injury. He began his radio career in 1952, and after stints with stations in Nevada and California, became sports director for a station in Fresno.

When the San Francisco Giants arrived from New York in 1958, Simmons joined Russ Hodges as a member of their broadcast team. He remained with the club through 1973 and then returned from 1976 to 1978. He moved across the Bay and broadcast games for the Oakland Athletics from 1981 to 1995 alongside Bill King. He then was back with the Giants from 1996 to 2002.

Away from baseball, Simmons was a longtime broadcaster for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League.

Related Sites

• Lon Simmons, Giants' Hall of Fame broadcaster, dies at 91