Baseball Remembers Jerry Coleman

Aug 24, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; General view of Petco Park during the fourth inning of the San Diego Padres game against the Chicago Cubs. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

You likely saw the new yesterday that San Diego Padres announcer Jerry Coleman passed away at the age of 89. I’m a little embarrassed to say that my knowledge of Coleman is very limited. Of course, I knew his name and that he was the Padres radio announcer, but I knew very little else about his life. If you’re like me and want to read more about Coleman and his career, I’d definitely recommend it.

Coleman was a war hero.

From the UT San Diego’s Bill Center: Padres Icon Jerry Coleman Remembered

"The man was an icon. He was a legitimate American hero – the only baseball player to see combat in two wars. He flew dive bombers in World War II and Corsairs in the Korean War. He was a World Series MVP. Not only did he serve the Padres for more than four decades as a broadcaster, he spent a season as the club’s manager."

Coleman was a World Series Champion with the New York Yankees.

From Chicken Friars Bernie D’Amato: Padres Radio Announcer Jerry Coleman Has Passed Away At The Age of 89

"His remarkable baseball career began as a second baseman for the New York Yankees (1949-1957), where he won four World Championships.  In 1963, Coleman started his career as a radio announcer with the Yankees, and eventually moved to the California Angels before ending up in San Diego.  In 2005, Coleman was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award by the Hall of Fame for his contributions to baseball through the art of broadcasting.Coleman was a legend and a man respected in all of baseball.From San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman: Part of San Francisco’s past died with Jerry ColemanWhen I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles, Vin Scully was an idol. Now that I know him, I call him “Vin.” I even feel comfortable calling Willie Mays by his first name. But whenever I saw Coleman during his visits to San Francisco, and mine to San Diego, it was always “Mr. Coleman.”  His remarkable baseball career began as a second baseman for the New York Yankees (1949-1957), where he won four World Championships.  In 1963, Coleman started his career as a radio announcer with the Yankees, and eventually moved to the California Angels before ending up in San Diego.  In 2005, Coleman was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award by the Hall of Fame for his contributions to baseball through the art of broadcasting.When I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles, Vin Scully was an idol. Now that I know him, I call him “Vin.” I even feel comfortable calling Willie Mays by his first name. But whenever I saw Coleman during his visits to San Francisco, and mine to San Diego, it was always “Mr. Coleman.”"