Longtime Bay Area sports journalist Ray Ratto has ended his tenure at NBC Sports Bay Area. He made the announcement via Twitter Wednesday afternoon.

Related Articles 49ers call audible, change play-by-play voice to local legend “In news you don’t actually need, I have completed my tour of duty at NBCSports Bay Area en route to whatever the next thing is,” he wrote. “Regards to those I worked with for 8 1/2 years; you’re all pros and friends . . . except for four of you.”

In news you don't actually need, I have completed my tour of duty at NBCSports Bay Area en route to whatever the next thing is. Regards to those I worked with for 8 1/2 years; you're all pros and friends . . . except for four of you. — Ray Ratto (@RattoIndy) January 2, 2019

Ratto, known among viewers and colleagues as a lovable grouch — and for an often cynical view of the sports world — did not have his contract renewed by NBCSBA. Last month, the regional sports network announced that it was canceling “The Happy Hour,” a nightly program that was anchored by Ratto, Greg Papa and Kelli Johnson.

The show concluded its run on Dec. 21.

Papa on Wednesday was announced as the new radio play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco 49ers. But he’ll continue his duties at NBCSBA as the anchor of the station’s pre- and post-game programs for the Warriors.

There has been no word yet on Johnson’s future with NBCSBA.

A Bay Area native and resident of Alameda, Ratto joined NBC Sports in 2010 as a “Senior Insider” after working for the San Francisco Chronicle (1986-90, 2000-10) and San Francisco Examiner (1973-81, 1991-2000). In addition to his on-air appearances for NBCSBA, he regularly contributed opinion pieces to the network’s website and app.

The changes at NBCSBA/CA come as Matt Murphy — an East Coast native — prepares to take over as the company’s new senior VP and general manager.

Ratto, evidently, has maintained his twisted sense of humor through the transition. When a fan remarked on Twitter that he “wasn’t sure what happened,” Ratto replied, “They lost me in a crap game.”

And this was his reply when Ratto’s one-time radio partner Tom Tolbert offered some part-time work: