 02/26/2004 6:53 PM ET
Simmons honored with Frick Award
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| Lon Simmons spent 26 years with the Giants and another 15 seasons with the A's. (Eric Risberg/AP)
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Passing of the torch
Schmidt expected to start Opening Day
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- "Way back ... way back -- tell it goodbye."
That was Lon Simmons' basso profundo trademark home run call -- his vocal signature -- for 26 years with the San Francisco Giants and another 15 seasons with the Oakland A's. Fans throughout the Bay Area literally grew up listening to the play-by-play announcer.
Capping his career, the crew-cut, 80-year-old Simmons was honored on Thursday as the 2004 winner of the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence.
The current Maui, Hawaii resident, who retired after the 2002 season, will be honored during the 2004 Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown, N.Y., on July 25.
"I didn't expect it, to tell you the truth," said Simmons. "I don't feel any different, but I am pleased. But you never know how you feel until you stand there [at the Hall]. At first I didn't want to win an honor if I had to campaign for it, but I was gratified when the Bay Area fans voted for me."
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