Longtime Minnesota area sports journalist Rod Simons has passed away at the age of 56, the Twins have confirmed.
Simons, who spent the last two decades covering sports in various parts of the country, passed away in Fort Meyers, Fla., while covering Twins Spring Training. He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and daughter, Annie.
Simons owned Rod Media Communications, producing sports shows such as Game On! and Go Twins Territory for Go 96.3 FM. He also wrote for GoMN.com, and from 2003-08, he was a lead anchor for KSTP-TV (ABC). He won nine Emmy awards and was honored with multiple Outstanding Sports Anchor Awards in the Minnesota region.
Simons was an advocate for multiple causes, including raising money to aid families in obtaining adoption grants through the Golf for the Gift charity.