By Jeff Hall

SAN FRANCISCO –

It is with great sadness we share the news regarding the loss of a Bay Area Legend, Lon Simmons

The Hall of Fame broadcaster passed away on Sunday at the age of 91.

Simmons did play calling for the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco 49ers

The Giants announced that Simmons died peacefully, saying, “The Giants family and Bay Area sports community lost a true gentleman.”

Giants President and CEO Larry Baer shared his thoughts, “Like many fans, my earliest Giants memories were listening to Lon and Russ on my transistor radio,” Baer said. “He will be deeply missed by all of us.

Simmons won the Ford C Frick award in 2004 and was known for his signature home run call saying “Tell it goodbye!”

Simmons had the voice that all aspiring broadcasters dream of having and would often get us to laugh with his quick wit sense of humor in his broadcasts.

Simmons death will be considered a great loss to all of the Bay Area since He spent many years at the microphone for both Bay Area baseball teams and many great San Francisco 49er moments.

During his season with the A’s broadcasts The late Bill King would often turn the microphone over to Simmons on a major baseball historical moment, including when Rickey Henderson set the major league stolen base record.

The A’s noted that Simmons ”called some of the greatest moments in Oakland history, including the final three outs of the A’s 1989 World Series championship.”

Simmons will always be remembered for His memorable 49er call in 1988 when Steve Young scrambled against the Minnesota Vikings in 1988.

“Young, back to throw, in trouble, he’s going to be sacked. No, gets away, he runs, gets away again, goes to the 40, gets away again, to the 35, cuts back at the 30, to the 20, the 15, the 10. He dives. Touchdown, 49ers!”

49ers CEO Jed York said the team ”was deeply saddened to lose one of our own today with the passing of Lon Simmons.”

Simmons — who spent much of his time in the radio booth alongside Russ Hodges — dealt with cancer more than once in recent years. He requested not to have a memorial service, the Giants said. He attended selected games last season and still worked as a community ambassador for the Giants after retiring in 2002.

“I’m grateful for the support of the Bay Area fans,” Simmons said upon being selected the winner of the Ford C. Frick Award. “The fans are more important to me than anything else because those are the people I tried to please the 40 years.”