If I could vote, he has my vote. We are all proud of him.

https://youtu.be/xyah3OMrF_0

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In 2005, it was exciting to see Mr. Berra in the lobby again, this time greeting his former Yankees teammate Jerry Coleman, who was being honored for his broadcasting career. When I asked how Mr. Coleman was as a player, Mr. Berra said: “Fine. Saved me from a lot of errors.” No Yogi-isms. No pretense. No arrogance.  Just a nice, cordial man who respected my role and lauded his most deserving friend. Often the smallest moments can leave a big impression. And isn’t it nice when it’s a good one?

I feel privileged to have been in Cooperstown for three Induction Weekends with access both as a member of the media and a guest of the Padres. Seeing people including Yogi Berra was as if I opened a book or old film archives and took a walk through time — then to now.

RIP Mr. Berra and thank you for the remarkable mark you’ve made.

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After Tony Gwynn’s passing in 2014, Channel 4 San Diego re-aired the five One on One editions (from 1997-2007) back-to-back several times to allow fans to hear his story, hear his voice, hear his laugh and honor his life during their grief.

What a gift we had in longtime Padre. What an opportunity we had to share his story and legacy with others. The positive response echoed what I had long believed — that viewers (die-hard and casual sports fans alike) appreciate hearing the journeys of those past and present athletes who have been part of San Diego’s, and the nation’s, sports and community landscape.  With that, the vision to re-visit the archives was realized. In 2015, I was asked to return to Channel 4 to create the One on One LEGENDS series.

Of course Tony Gwynn was on the list of 12. We had the most recent one-hour version from our trip to Cooperstown with him in 2007 and the 2014 memorial service thousands attended and even more watched live on Fox Sports San Diego. Between that and learning of his final efforts to curb smokeless tobacco use, other honors at SDSU, and the new Tony Gwynn Baseball Classic, we had a rich amount of elements to remember his vibrant life, re-experience the poignancy of the tributes, and share how his legacy continues in new ways, too. (My thanks to:  SDSU and Jason Bott for providing video, to the Padres and Fox Sports San Diego for the memorial service, and to the folks  at the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society who confirmed one of Gwynn’s last contributions with information here  http://pbats.com/gwynn-contributed-to-anti-tobacco-film-in-months-before-death/

Watching the memorial service recording for the first time brought tears to my eyes; how do you sum up a life in a few hours? Everyone who participated, and those who watched and listened, enveloped who the Hall of Famer was. Some stories sounded familiar. Some were new. But as I watched and selected what to include, I wanted to make sure we touched on the many facets that made Tony Gwynn loved, respected and admired. Each will hold his or her own memories of the 15-time All-Star, but when someone watches this for the first time — whether they knew of him of not — I hope this hour informs and inspires. For those who knew him, or felt like they did because of who he was, I hope this allows you to celebrate and remember Tony Gwynn the man, the legend.

If ever there were one person who epitomized my motto, “Perpetuate the Positive. Be part of the Good Sports Story,” Tony Gwynn was it.  I’m grateful the powers that be at Cox/Channel 4 San Diego saw the value in sharing the archives and allowing me to tell his story “full circle” as a remarkable person, a Legend, indeed.

The post One on One Legend: Tony Gwynn Show and back story appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

I first interviewed him in 1998 and paired his story with Randy Jones. We were featuring two Padres Greats with the show airing just as the Padres and the Channel 4 San Diego team were heading in to the very exciting post season.

As we were planning this new Legends edition of One on One it was a natural to re-visit both Randy and Rollies’ stories. Their interviews were so interesting and compelling; the decision was easy to give them each a half hour program.

Rollie lives in Las Vegas now, but he was going to be in Palm Desert for the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational. Photographer/Editor Dan Roper and I met him a day early at the private BIGHORN Golf Club www.BIGHORNGOLF.COM where he would be golfing with guests from the University of Nebraska.* It was a beautiful setting to see him in his post-baseball element. Helping to coordinate the shoot was Alan Skuba, Director of Member Relations at BIGHORN. Alan was the Mayor of Escondido from 1968-1976, owned a few radio stations, and knows some of the older San Diego broadcasters and Padres folks from his work and involvement in the community. He had watched my show over years and (thankfully!) enjoyed it, and was very accommodating so we could connect with Rollie that day.

Rollie was as friendly and easy-going as I remembered him from 1998, from Cooperstown (when we were there for Dave Winfield, Jerry Coleman and Tony Gwynn) and from seeing him (and taking some pictures) at the Drew Brees/COX Celebrity Golf Tournament in 2011. He is a very humble man and seemed grateful we wanted to re-visit his story then and now. I appreciate how he, a Hall of Famer, respects the TV story-telling process, and responded with answers to my follow-up questions or request for pictures. (By the way, he’s also in the montage of players on my book cover!)

It might not come through television the same as sitting there with him, but I could hear his voice crack, see a little lump in his throat and that he was a little teary eyed when he talked about living his dream. It is subtle but beautiful emotion coming from someone who, like a lot of kids, imagined playing in the World Series, and might not have had he not listened to a scout who saw something in him and had a manager, Dick Williams, who handed him the ball every day and kept him in the game. Good stories. Good memories. Good man. Enjoy the show.

*side note: One of the people at BIGHORN with the University of Nebraska group was none other than former Chargers Head Coach Mike Riley! He wasn’t playing in that group, but Alan made sure I saw him so we could say hello. It’s been more than a decade since we featured him One on One. He was friendly and down to earth as ever.

One on One with Jane Mitchell: Legend Rollie Fingers

Life story of Rollie Fingers known for his trademark moustache and Hall of Fame pitching career, including golf, charity and emotional baseball memories.

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I’m very happy to report that One on One the TV show is BACK. I’ve returned to Channel 4 San Diego for a special series called One on One with Jane Mitchell featuring the Legends. Since January, I’ve been going through the life stories of 12 previously interviewed legends to add  new aspects of their journey with interviews, pictures and information. For those who have passed away recently — Jerry Coleman, Tony Gwynn and Junior Seau — editor Dan Roper and I are weaving in poignant moments from their public memorials.

It’s been a wonderful process of returning to such familiar territory and a comfort of knowing these stories are still so powerful and the people so well-loved and respected. Everyone I talked with about getting information, pictures or doing an interview said yes.  It’s nice to know the relationships and bonds built during 15 years on the air at Channel 4 are still strong.

I’m so grateful to Channel 4 San Diego (owned by Cox Communications San Diego and also aired in Orange County, Santa Barbara and San Diego’s Time-Warner system) for sharing my vision that many of the One on One editions are, if not timeless, a snapshot of time of a person’s life up to that point. For  many, other than changing teams, or perhaps retiring, the core of who they are does not change. They evolve, perhaps, but often are very much the same. That is worth sharing not only with fans who remember those interviews, but also for younger fans or those new to the show, to see and learn about these outstanding athletes —  past and present.

It’s been a lot more hours than I expected, and now with a toddler, I’ve been juggling the interviews, writing and producing the project along with spending quality time with my Lily. She turns two in May. But, all very much worth it. I feel fortunate to be able to resume my passion of story-telling while having the love of my life Lily make me smile every day.

Look for show summaries,   Back-Stories and the shows for the Legends series as separate blog entries.

Of course there’s so much more in my book which is available on this site. Please share the show, the posts and blogs with any and all baseball or sports fans.

We will be putting the show up on You Tube after a few airings, and I’ll keep you posted on that, too.

Here’s a list of the guests: Trevor Hoffman, Dick Enberg, Ozzie Smith, Randy Jones, David Wells, Rollie Fingers, Ted Williams, Dave Winfield, Jerry Coleman, Park View Little League Champions, Tony Gwynn and Junior Seau.

Special thanks to the San Diego Hall of Champions and Sports Museum for being the beautiful back-drop for the on-camera  introductions for the shows.

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I’ve known Jerry since 1997 upon the launch of Channel 4 San Diego. We met at the announcement of the new channel, and then while overseeing Padres Magazine, a show he hosted, using features from the pre-game show. We co-hosted a special on Tony Gwynn’s Road to 3000, and I featured Jerry two times on the TV show One on One: in 1998 — the first time he shared in-depth for television about his life and Marine Corps service, and then in 2005 when he was honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuyJCIWyiqY&feature=share&list=PL667AD5D63643506A&index=2

He is featured in a chapter in my book — both my behind the scenes experiences and the transcript of the show.

Those are all tangible items to be viewed or read to remember Jerry. It’s how he was in the course of those productions and many chats in his booth overlooking the field, or at my home for special parties, or at our annual winter lunch, that I will treasure most. He was generous with his time, respectful of the job my team had to do for the interview or getting video. That’s a nice thing when sometimes high-profile people think they can steer the ship, and try to make the process difficult. Not Jerry. He was also genuinely interested in me, my life, my profession, my family. I so admired his military service, as my father had also served, in 3 wars, and was also part of the Greatest Generation, as Tom Brokaw so poignantly calls it. It seemed Jerry would be around another decade, as he was so fit and full of vim and vigor. But, while that was not to be, his legacy will live on forever. It’s especially important, I believe, to share who he was with the younger generations, so they understand the value of the qualities Jerry Coleman had.

We all can learn so much from him: his humility, honor, dignity, kindness and how he checked his ego at every door.

The last time I saw him was Opening Day 2013 when I went to the ballpark 1 month away from having my baby girl Lily. He was so happy for me. I hope he’s up in heaven talking with his old buddies from the Marine Corps, baseball, and maybe even meeting my dad.

Rest in Peace, Jerry Coleman. Rest in Peace.

I will miss you my friend.

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His signature call of, “Oh, Doctor! You can hang a star on that baby” quite simply is what perfectly applies to Jerry Coleman and his contributions to the game on the diamond, in the broadcast booth, and in the community. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jerry since 1997, telling his story from growing up in San Francisco, to playing for the Yankees, serving in two wars, and broadcasting national and local games.  In 2005, for the second edition of One on One featuring “the Colonel” I traveled to Cooperstown with videographer Dan Roper to document when the Baseball Hall of Fame honored him in the Broadcast Wing. Because he did not play for a full ten seasons, the second baseman with numerous baseball credentials did not qualify for consideration for induction into the Hall of Fame.

I learned on that trip to Cooperstown– talking with players and fans — that Jerry Coleman is known and appreciated across baseball and across the country. He is a national treasure, and San Diegans are fortunate he calls San Diego home. Here is an excerpt from the One on One program produced in 2005.

The days before Cooperstown, he was inducted into the Marine Corps Hall of Fame in Quantico, Virginia. Perhaps even a bigger honor, as he has consistently declared that being a Marine was the important thing he’s achieved (professionally) in his life. His wife Maggie shared, “For Jerry, it’s family first, country second, and baseball third.”  And as much a patriot as he is, some of the military memories have been difficult to discuss, “because there are some sad moments.”

Jerry has seen and experienced nine decades of life.  Good, bad, exciting, heartbreaking, inspiring. He, indeed, has relayed such moments to those tuning in on the radio, and to those whose hands he’s shaken, or baseballs he’s signed, with such ease, humor and generosity.

Congratulations Jerry. And thank you for being our friend.

The chapter on Jerry Coleman in my book begins on page 430.

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Tony was famous for, among many feats, hitting in the 5.5 hole (an unlikely target for a lefty) which helped him chalk up his 3,141 hits, often keeping his team in the game  along the way. For as much as he knew, he was willing to learn: from pioneering the use of videotape, from his own mistakes, from studying pitchers, and from the late, great hitter, Ted Williams, who challenged him in 1992 to, as Tony says, “Think about the art of hitting a baseball.” Mr. Padre has provided such an example of hard work and good character. Countless are grateful the doctors could be the experts as he faced round two of the tough cancer opponent.

I’ve interviewed Tony several times beginning in 1997, producing a record five One on One television programs featuring his story from his early years and career, through retirement and coaching at SDSU (starting the next day), to being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Just as he was consistent in his game, he has been consistent in his attitude and approach to life based largely on his father Charles’ mantra, “If you work hard good things will happen.”

But Tony is not without his vulnerable and emotional dimensions. Who can forget the tears and his getting choked up when we watched him in his living room, receiving the call from the Baseball Writers Association, or at the press conference that same January day when I asked him what his father would think about his election  into the Hall of Fame, or his beaming face when he sees his wife Alicia, and his children Anthony and Anisha? Tony Gwynn is a man with heart, and in so being, is a part of ours. Whether you are a die-hard or casual fan, if you’re from San Diego, or just know about Tony Gwynn, it’s more than likely you’re a fan of the man, as much as the player.

In Tony’s Hall of Fame speech July 29, 2007, he said, “I told the people of San Diego when I left to come to Cooperstown, they were going to be standing up here with me. So I hope they are just as nervous as I am, because this is a tremendous honor to be here today.”  While the medical team and family are by his side to care for Tony, he can be sure admirers are continuing to send prayers and positive thoughts for his road to recovery.

Looking forward to seeing him back in the Aztec dugout and the broadcast booth.

For more on Jane’s experience interviewing Tony Gwynn and his family, and for the transcript of the Hall of Fame edition, get the book at the One on One store here, or on Kindle. 

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