One on One with Jane Mitchell featuring the Legend Jerry Coleman. The only Major League Baseball player to see combat in two wars, World War II and Korea, this man who put country first, was a remarkable person on many levels. I am so honored to have told his story over the years, in 1998 and in 2005 when we followed him around Cooperstown when he was honored for his excellence in baseball broadcasting.
While humble and understandably sometimes not wanting to talk about his years in the service, in our interviews he shared some details about those times that offer such insight and inspiration. His love of family and baseball are evident as this humble, kind, witty and generous man lived simply by the golden rule.
Jerry and I became friends through the Channel 4 Padres connection (at the press conference announcing the new TV home of the Padres, Padres Magazine and the One on One interviews), conversations about my father (a 30-year Navy man), talking on team road trips or at our annual winter lunches. I’m very grateful he shared his thoughts about my interview style and his experience for my book.
With his unexpected passing in 2014 (he had been healthy, but a fall lead to complications), the Padres orchestrated a stunning and fitting public memorial service at Petco Park. Channel 4 replayed the 2005 edition to honor him, and fans were very appreciative. When we launched the Legends version of One on One, Jerry was of course on the list. Editor Dan Roper and I worked together to weave parts of the service in with the interview of his life story. There is so much to admire and learn about Jerry Coleman that I hope those who knew his story, or are learning about it for the first time, enjoy and appreciate this edition honoring, thanking and celebrating his well-lived life.
http://4sd.com/one-on-one-legends.html