Robinson takes over as 49ers’ radio play-by-play man

Ted Robinson will become the fifth radio play-by-play announcer in the 63-year history of the 49ers, the club announced this morning. Robinson replaces Joe Starkey, who announced his retirement last month.

“The San Francisco 49ers enjoy a proud history as a premier football organization and are now well positioned to build upon that legacy,” Robinson said in a statement released through the team. “I am sincerely honored to be added to the short but esteemed list of distinguished announcers who played a role in bringing the 49ers accomplishments on the field to life.” 

 

Robinson has ties to the organization, serving as the third member of the 49ers radio broadcast team in 1983 with Don Klein and Don Heinrich. He also anchored pre/post-game coverage on 49ers radio network from 1983-86 and anchored the 49ers locker room coverage after 1985 Super Bowl victory.

 

“We are extremely excited that Ted Robinson has rejoined the 49ers family,” 49ers chief operating officer Andy Dolich said. “He has a wealth of experience at every level of broadcasting and is highly respected amongst his peers and sports fans throughout Northern California.”

 

Robinson joins an exclusive list of announcers who have described 49ers action on the radio: Bob Fouts (1946-62), Lon Simmons (1963-1980, 1987-88), Don Klein (1981-86) and Starkey (1989-2008).

 

CORRECTION: Ron Kroichick of the SF Chronicle reports the list supplied by the 49ers was incorrect. Here are the 49ers’ announcers through the years . . . Bud Foster (1946-49, ’51-’53), Fred Hessler (1954), Roy Storey (1955-’57), Bob Fouts (1955, 1957-’59), Lon Simmons (1960-’80, 1987-88), Don Klein (1981-’86) and Joe Starkey (1989-2008). 

 

Robinson worked as a radio and television announcer for the San Francisco Giants for nine seasons, as the television announcer for the Oakland A’s for three seasons, as television announcer for the Warriors and also as radio announcer for Stanford football.