RIP Bill King

Spending my teenage years in the San Francisco Bay area, and being a sports fan, I could hardly escape the presence of Bill King on the radio. He was at one time, the broadcaster for the Giants, (with Lon Simmons on KSFO), the Warriors, and the A's. It saddened me today to hear that he had died following surgery last night in San Leandro. He was 78.

King had a a great delivery, and was the best basketball announcer I ever heard, aside from the Lakers' immortal Chick Hearn. His memorable phrase was "Holy Toledo!"

He was an eclectic man. Rather than a former jock turned announcer, King was rather an intellectual. He always brought his outside interests into his broadcasts, but without intruding on the game itself. He was a joy to listen to.

From the article in the San Francisco Chronicle this morning.

King was the Warriors' first broadcaster when they moved West from Philadelphia following the 1961-62 season. He broadcast the Wilt Chamberlain era and called the games in the team's title season in 1974-75. Lon Simmons, who was inducted into the broadcast wing of baseball's Hall of Fame last season and was a former partner of King's, called him "the best basketball announcer I've ever heard."

"He was talented, versatile, enthusiastic and, most importantly, a class act and a great man," Warriors president Robert Rowell said. "He will be sorely missed by everyone he touched, including those who never had the opportunity to meet him, but still benefited from his presence in their homes."

On road trips, King often could be seen studying Russian history and literature. He also loved ballet and jazz and always had a book with him on road trips in case flights were delayed.

RIP, Bill King.