Mr. Padre Archives - Jane Mitchell One on One

Returning to My TV Journey Stops — Texas and Oklahoma 2013

jmitchell — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:08:57 +0000

Since writing my book, I planned to return to some of the stops along my TV journey including Texas and Oklahoma. A mini-bucket list! Recently, I was in Dallas for a conference and extended my trip north to Oklahoma. In Oklahoma City, I was the guest on The News On 9’s Sunday Morning newscast with Tammy Payne. Tammy and I met at my first TV job in Wichita Falls, TX back in 1986! I went through my video archives and put together a montage of some of our on-air appearances. What a hoot! Permed hair and shoulder pads — it was the 80s. To sit there on her set some 25 years later… talking about my experiences in sports and the book… was not only fun, but a real sense of pride; knowing our hard work and passion took us where we wanted to go, and for me, even places I had no idea I’d go… namely the world of sports. Thank you Tammy for your friendship and professionalism. To watch, go to www.newson9.com, click on Feb. 10 OR try this link! (Read on for more on the Tulsa stop.)

More Texas fun!

Tuesday was all about Tulsa Time! My friend and former colleague at KOTV, Terry Hood, interviewed me to get the word about my return and book signing at Steve’s Sundry that afternoon. I so enjoyed seeing several of my co-workers from my three years in Tulsa. Again, the archives tell quite the story — and certainly remind me of all the hard news stories I covered and the challenges of working in heat and cold, along with the serious nature of my beats including Education, City Hall and crime. What a contrast to my eventual world of Major League Baseball and the National Football League, but I am so grateful for those years. Big Al Jerkens and Coach Pat Jones hosted me on The Sports Animal Tulsa talking about One on One, Ted Williams, Tony Gwynn and more. As for the TV evolution? Here is a little montage of my work in Tulsa 1988-1991.

The post Returning to My TV Journey Stops — Texas and Oklahoma 2013 appeared first on Jane Mitchell One on One.

One on One Boys of Summer series begins: Early Advice (part 1)

jmitchell — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 11:06:06 +0000

As I am in London writing about and watching this international Olympics affair — with athletes from all corners of the world and every walk of life — I am also thinking about America’s game and all it inspires.

For 15 years covering the Padres and telling their life stories, I liked to start at the beginning. What were they like? Who influenced them? What did they learn along the way? What do they want to pass on to others? These questions and answers are not unique to baseball; each athlete, each person — especially once they’ve experienced a few years if not decades — can ask such questions and consider their own answers. This not only is a reflection, but can act as a conduit for change and moving forward, especially if they want their journey to go a different direction.

Here is the first installment: Early Advice Part 1

In the spirit of what I call, “The Good Sports Story” I intend to continue my approach with athletes of asking those questions that aren’t just about the box score or action on the field. That indeed is significant, but the back story helps explain the level and depth of their success and struggles, even, along the way. Of course, you can read more about this and many back stories and biographies in my book. Later in the series, I will also ask them what they think is important about doing more positive pieces, and hear how some are quite candid the negativity that often takes the spotlight.

So today I begin a weekly segment called “Boys of Summer.” I spent several days interviewing 18 guys from four teams: the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants, and the Chicago Cubs. Each team and the players I spoke with were welcoming, and thankfully, open and appreciative of the line of questioning, the topic of conversation.

Unlike 15 years with Channel 4 and some amazing photographers, I did the interviews myself without a crew — just a camera and microphone. Forgive a little shakiness, imperfect lighting, or if you can’t hear my voice quite as well as my guests’. Consider the concept we learned so well from the incomparable Trevor Hoffman, about how important it is to adjust and “re-invent” yourself as circumstances change. Storytelling is my passion, and I’m thankful to be able to make that my profession.

So we begin. I hope you will listen to the pieces all the way through. It’s important to let thoughts be expressed and completed. While they are edited down some, more than the essence, or just a quick soundbite, is here. Please share the site with your sports fan friends, young people you’d like to have hear from their “heroes”, or other athletes to show a mantra and mission to “Perpetuate the Positive. BE Part of the Good Sports Story.”

Here are the names of those you will hear from throughout the series:

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Chad Billingsley

Tony Gwynn, Jr.

Aaron Harrang

Clayton Kershaw

CHICAGO CUBS

Jeff Baker

Bryan LaHair

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Chris Denorfia

Chase Headley

Nick Hundley

Mark Kotsay

Cameron Maybin

Huston Street

Carlos Quentin

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Matt Cain

Tim Flannery

Clay Hensley

Pablo Sandoval

Now with other teams since my interviews:

YOMIURI GIANTS, Japan Baseball League

Edgar Gonzalez (former Cub)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Orlando Hudson (former Padre)

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Tony Gwynn: Teachings, Transparency, Teammate

jmitchell — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:23:49 +0000

I am happy to hear reports that Tony Gwynn’s Valentine’s Day surgery on the cancerous growth went well, and there is optimism in the air for the Hall of Famer who means so much to his family, friends, and baseball fans especially in San Diego.

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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