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

https://youtu.be/xyah3OMrF_0

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Walking into Petco Park last Saturday, I smiled at the sight of many old and faded “Caminiti 21” T-shirts worn by fans who have treasured them over the years, and likely pulled them from their closet for Ken Caminiti’s induction into the Padres Hall of Fame. On the field, I talked with Nancy Caminiti, their three grown daughters and his parents. We had stayed in touch over the years, and mutually agreed that this induction was a good thing to recognize all Caminiti had accomplished and had meant to the Padres and community.

Sadly, Cammy was not there. The Padres beloved third baseman died in 2004, but the larger-than-life photo and video images on the scoreboard triggered chills and applause. It was reminiscent of those early days when, as broadcaster Ted Leitner put it, “The women wanted to look at him. The men wanted to BE him.” A genuine warmth exuded from the fans and from those on the field, including former teammates, coaches and fellow Padres Hall of Famers who relayed Cammy stories. We all laughed, sighed or even got a little teary-eyed as the tributes covered the different dimensions that made him special. Cammy would have been proud of his daughters. Kendall, the eldest, spoke on her family’s behalf, thanking the fans and the Padres for their love and support as her two sisters stood alongside her.

Looking back, I’m grateful to have played a unique part in helping bring Ken Caminiti’s story to the fans in my role with the then-new COX/Padres TV deal. Beginning in 1997, Cox would put 125 games on the new Channel 4 Padres and my assignment was to “connect the players to the fans.” I’ve written about this in my book, but here is a short reminder …

In the spring and summer of 1996, I was so caught up in a television project surrounding the Republican National Convention, I didn’t realize the Ken Caminiti sensation buzzing around the city. I hadn’t witnessed his stellar feats at third base or his powerful at-bats. Hadn’t heard about the “Snickers” incident in Mexico, nor seen his stoic presence contrasted with his sparkling eyes and smile in the dugout or off the field. These were all part of the Cammy mystique that had captivated a community of baseball fans. But when it looked as if I would be involved in the new COX/Padres television venture Channel 4 Padres, I sat on my mother’s couch and watched the Padres beat the LA Dodgers to clinch the National League West Division. Ken Caminiti became front of mind.

The first time I met Ken was that fall at a Padres’ awards banquet. I remember the crowd around him, and how quiet he was — almost uncomfortable with all of the attention. I wouldn’t come to understand that reticence, or him, for a few months.

One of my primary missions was to help the fans get to know the players as people, not just “guys in a uniform.” Ken Caminiti, an obvious choice for our first profile, had just won the National League MVP award and was rehabbing from shoulder surgery. The big question: Would he be ready for Opening Day?

The Padres public relations staff explained the situation to him, and with his approval, we planned a trip to his offseason home in Houston. A few people who knew Ken well suggested, “He’s a quiet guy, so good luck. He doesn’t talk much, and don’t ask him about his drinking problems of the past. He won’t want to talk about that.” Thanks for the advice, I thought. I’ll take it from here.

In early February 1997, I traveled to Texas with Mike Howder and Tim Young from the Padres media department. I had done my homework: reading what little had been written about Ken Caminiti; I had looked at some of the Padres’ music videos highlighting him; and had asked people about him. I mapped out my questions, creating enough of a guideline, based on facts and my own curiosity to be sure I wouldn’t miss anything.

On Feb. 4, we arrived at the gym where he was doing his rehab, following his shoulder surgery. We put a small microphone on him and followed him through his routine. I asked about his progress, and he demonstrated how far he had come by throwing a ball or lifting his shoulder, comparing it to his starting point. It was clear how far he had to go to be ready for the season.

His home was comfortable, with pictures of family and a dining room table filled with baseball memorabilia from people who wanted autographs. His wife, Nancy, and three daughters were there, too — the youngest only a week old. We set up in the living room with just one camera and a few lights. He wore a blue- and white-plaid shirt and jeans.

I started from the beginning of his life, and as we went along, I could tell that he had much inside him. It wasn’t that he didn’t like to talk; he just seemed to need time to think in order to express himself. The rush of the typical pre- and postgame interviews was not necessarily his comfort zone, and that might have been why people thought he didn’t have a lot to say. Given time, I discovered, he would open up. A question about the relationship with his parents led to talking about his rebellious times as a teenager, challenging times in the early part of his career, and his faith. While referencing his special year of 1996, our dialogue went like this:

Jane: Do you have a sense of why this was your year?

Ken: I don’t know. I accepted the MVP award a couple nights ago, and part of my speech was God gifted me this year, and He really looked after me.

Jane: Tell me about your relationship with God.

Ken: Well it’s been a rocky one for me cuz in ’87-’88 I asked Him into my heart, Jesus Christ, but I didn’t do it for all the right reasons…”

While my questions were simple, his answers revealed much. I sensed during the interview, this was going to be something special. Had he not brought up the subjects I had been “warned” not to broach, would I have brought them up anyhow? Probably. How could I cheat him, his story, or the viewers of something so personal, but significant? I followed not only his lead, but also my intuition, delving into both obvious and sensitive topics. In Ken’s case, just asking about his year opened the door to something that was in his heart. No matter how much I prepared, just listening and caring showed him respect, and made him feel comfortable to express himself. In the bigger picture, it was the unexpected prelude for what was to come.

We completed the sit-down interview with Nancy beside him, and I met his girls, Kendall, Lindsey and newborn Nicole, who was so tiny in his muscular arms. I commented on how he had an All-American family.

“All American.” He laughed. “With the toys, the blind dog knocking over the lights. Yeah, All-American!”

Ken took Mike, Tim and me to dinner that night at Papa Deaux’s. As we walked into the restaurant, ESPN was airing the recorded ESPY awards program where Cammy was accepting the honor for Best Baseball Player. People at the restaurant did a double take when they saw him — a former Houston Astro, the NL MVP with the Padres — on TV, yet standing there in person. No question, he exuded an air of distinction, even in his plaid shirt and jeans.

When I returned from Texas, I shared about the in-depth interview, which prompted the green light to produce the new series, One on One. Ken’s was the leadoff show. I felt it important to supplement his story with details. So, at spring training, I interviewed his personal trainer and saw Cammy in uniform, counting the days until he would be — hopefully — ready for the season. I also believed it was important to hear from his parents, to see where he grew up, went to school, and began his athletic career so I flew to San Jose to see where it all began for Ken Caminiti.

His childhood home, where his parents still lived, was modest and in a fairly middle-class neighborhood. They welcomed us and offered more insight about their son. They gave me a bag of home movies and pictures, and pointed out the cul-de-sac where young Ken rode his bike. A stop at his high school and San Jose State University provided more content and texture.

As I wrote my first 30-minute biography, trying to fit it all in, I was determined not to leave out anything important, including the sensitive aspects of Ken’s struggles with alcohol and his faith. The program was a hit. People commented about the candid interview, about seeing the pictures and learning who Ken Caminiti was, and how he’d evolved with the team and in life. At the 2016 induction, former teammate Trevor Hoffman talked about how getting a “nod” from quiet Cammy was like getting a big bear hug. After Ken saw the first show in 1997, we happened to meet. When the subject of the show came up, he gave me one of those nods and a “thank you.” I’ve always considered that my big bear-hug bonus.

Ken Caminiti was truly loved, and he loved San Diego. He would go on to be a hero in the 1998 season in which the Padres played the New York Yankees in the World Series, but after the ’98 season, the Padres embarked on a “rebuilding” phase. He was a free agent. He signed with Houston. Fans would see him when he played in San Diego for Houston, and then Atlanta. He always received a round of applause when he returned to San Diego, but things would not be easy for him.

What we didn’t know in 1997 — and would not find out until after he retired — was that part of his “wow” factor while playing with San Diego was not just natural brute strength. Ken Caminiti shocked the sports world in 2002 when he told Sports Illustrated that he had taken steroids during his MVP 1996 season and beyond, and that he thought others in baseball had too. That revelation — considered the first public admission of anabolic steroid use by a professional baseball player — rocked Major League Baseball, and contributed to the eventual exposure of Performance Enhancing Drug use in the sport, which launched a congressional investigation, and eventually, a more defined PED-use policy in baseball.

In 1997, however, no one was talking about steroids, PEDs, or human growth hormone, so it did not even occur to me to ask Ken what specifically he was taking as part of his fitness regimen, or to even think that he might be doing anything that would cause him problems later on. Even so, his leadership in the clubhouse, as his teammates explain, his “throwback” mentality of playing through pain and wanting to be in every game, and his indisputable mystique yet genuine connection with the fans combined to make an indelible impression in his four seasons playing for San Diego.

The last time I talked with him was at spring training in 2004. I could see in his eyes he wanted so much to be “OK” and said he wanted to work with the Padres again. He gave me a hug, and I said I hoped things worked out, and that I would see him back in San Diego. Sadly, his struggles with addiction took their toll and he died that October.

In the spring of 2005, Ken Caminiti would have been 42. The Padres honored his memory at a pregame ceremony. Now, in 2016, he has been inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame, which I applaud. I have learned a lot in my 16-plus years around the game and telling athletes’ stories. These human beings have weaknesses and vulnerabilities, like all of us, even with their immense work ethic and heroics. While we have “clean” heroes, including his contemporaries Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman who also are in the Padres Hall of Fame, I truly believe Ken Caminiti belongs there too. Although he was admittedly part of the Steroid Era, he was also instrumental in bringing it to light. Perhaps this is why, while few would condone PED use, we can forgive and accept it more readily because his explanation came with honesty and humility. How common is that? And aren’t those characteristics we would want emulated as much as teamwork, hard work, charisma and charity?

Ken Caminiti will forever be part of a magical time in San Diego, part of a special collective memory, and part of my journey. There’s much to learn from how he played, how he lived, how he loved and how he battled.

To read more of the backstory from my experiences and the transcript of the 1997 “One on One” program, visit www.JaneMitchellOneOnOne.com for a copy of the book.

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I am thankful for so much, including a career that’s allowed me to share wonderful stories about fascinating people. I’m grateful to have been able to compile many of those experiences into a book.  Amid the digital daze and holiday craze, it’s nice to hold something of substance, with timeless stories and colorful pictures. One on One: My Journey with Hall of Famers, Fan Favorites and Rising Stars is perfect for sports fans, biography buffs, budding journalists or anyone curious about life behind the scenes of some spectacular athletes. One on One Store

The stories (and back stories) of some 40 baseball and football players known throughout the nation remind us about following our dreams, turning obstacles into opportunities, achieving goals, and often doing “good” with their high-profile platform.

The stories of the icons and popular athletes are timeless because their journeys cannot be altered. Sadly, some have passed, including Tony Gwynn, Jerry Coleman, Junior Seau and Ted Williams, which is all the more reason to celebrate and learn from their lives. Others continued to make their marks in different ways. Tim Flannery helped the San Francisco Giants capture three World Series championships as their third-base coach before retiring in 2014. David Wells in 2012 returned to his alma mater, Point Loma High School, as its pitching coach before being named varsity coach in 2014. Trevor Hoffman’s name appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot — Class of 2016 — for the first time.

My hope is that when someone reads any of these stories, or even my journey, that they will not only learn something, but be inspired to live and enjoy their OWN journey.

To order, visit the One on One store

Or contact me with inquiries at Hello@JaneMitchellOneOnOne.com

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I had also done stories with him for the pre-game show and saw him around the ballpark over the years, and our conversations were always thoughtful and substantive. He is not a chitchat kind of person, but takes interest in what you’re doing, shares details about things that matter to him, and is very respectful of others’ roles and activities.

Dave is a featured chapter in my book, and on the cover’s montage. (See Store for the book.) The two times I sat down with him in-depth, 1999 and 2001, were interesting and fun. He’s a serious guy, but when he laughs, it’s quite the punctuation mark coming from a man with great stature.

Baseball is America’s past time. Its diamond offers riches in the simple game of catch, in the dream realized of playing in the major leagues, and in the most brilliant, rare and revered honor: being enshrined at Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. His performance and presence made for a powerful combination. Dave Winfield was the first player to enter Baseball’s Hall of Fame as a San Diego Padre. This is the story of Dave Winfield’s life on the diamond and his journey, which has come full circle and then some – as he continues to use his platform for good, for business, and for both the past and future of the game.

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Randy Jones

Rollie Fingers

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So true with Randy Jones. That’s part of what makes him a nice guy and a fan favorite in San Diego. What he did and has done for 40 years makes him a legend and an obvious choice for our special One on One series featuring the Legends (The show will be on line here after it debuts on Channel 4 San Diego Sunday May 3, 2015 @ 6pm www.4sd.com/one-on-on-legends.html)

Along with  Padres current stars, in 1998 we profiled Padres Greats for One on One combining Randy Jones and Rollie Fingers in one show. I remember well how we wanted to both honor them and have a show “done” because we had a feeling we’d be busy with post season and all that went along with covering that. It worked out well. The show aired and we were on the road in the thick of the’98 excitment.

This time around, 2015, after sitting down first with Rollie then the next week with Randy, it was clear each man’s  story, his “update” of 17 years since the last show, and perspective on life and the game combined for great listening and story-telling; so they’d each get a half hour show!

Late February photographer Dan Roper and I returned to Randy and his wife Marie’s home for an “update” and sat outside in his beautiful yard with birds tweeting and Randy checking his “Twitter” tweets and Facebook posts on his iPad. This guy, who just turned 65, is with it! The interview was fun and engaging. He not only talked about the familiar, but his perspective on 40 years since he made his mark. In an unexpected turn, he shared a very important life decsion and how that’s made life better.

A walk around his yard, pitching mound and future tree house for his grandchildren made for a lovely day and, I believe, a nice look into his heart and life. He’s invited me to return with my daughter, Lily, to see that tree house after he builds it for his grandchildren, and I think we’ll take him up on that offer.

Many thanks to the San Diego Padres production team, as always, for sorting through the archives to find great pictures of our subjects. In this case, thanks to  two organizations for the work they do with Randy. They provided wonderful pictures and video to help visualize his story of good works in San Diego. The Randy Jones Golf Invitational www.RandyJonesInvitational.com and the Home of Guiding Hands http://www.guidinghands.com  I encourarage you to check out their sites to learn more, after, of course, you watch the show!

Show Summary: One on One with Jane Mitchell featuring the Legend Randy Jones  Baseball is full of characters who become part of the game’s lore. Randy Jones is that, and a legend, as the San Diego Padres’ Cy Young Award winner in 1976 when the team was not very good. First interviewed in 1998, this Legends edition includes an all-new interview with the now 65-year-old lefty who not only loves baseball, but being a grandfather, too. From his backyard patio, he also shares a life-changing experience that many will be able to relate to.   30 minutes. Debuts 5/3/15

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I first did the One on One featuring Ozzie in 2002. We did the sit-down interview here in San Diego and then wove in the televised summer ceremony when he was inducted. For the back-story of that experience, you’d enjoy the chapter on Ozzie in my book available here on my website.

For this Legends show, we weren’t able to travel to St. Louis for an on-camera interview, so I coordinated with his assistant and within a few days Ozzie called and we talked for a good 15-20 minutes.  He updated me on the last several years, his involvement as an Education Ambassador with the Hall of Fame, heading up the St. Louis PGA chapter http://www.gatewaypga.org/pgareach and  the Big Brothers Big Sisters www.bbbsemo.org/ help inner-city kids benefit from golf among other things. Thanks to those offices for supplying photos and a PSA to help tell about his current good works.

I saw Ozzie last at the private memorial service for Tony Gwynn June 2016. My mother was with me, and just like a few other times we’ve seen him at Padres functions over the years, Ozzie greeted me and gave her  a kiss on the cheek. The first time he did that was back in 2002 at Qualcomm stadium. (You can barely see her head between our shoulders in the picture.) He is so genuine and kind to remember and show such respect, too. He was gracious when I thanked him for his kindness.

Even though most of this show is from the original edition, his story is really quite timeless. He is very humble, articulate, appreciative and creative in his presentation. Plus, all those great pictures, highlights and comments from those who knew him on his journey take us back in time and allow us to celebrate the good then and now.

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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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With the obvious baseball connection, and my involvement with the local ALS Association Greater San Diego Chapter, it was a natural and very beneficial fit to feature people dealing with this fatal disease, and show the courage and hope surrounding them and their stories. It allowed us to enlighten viewers about ALS and fundraising efforts as well.

Here are just 4 of the many stories that aired on Channel 4. Some of the PALS (persons with ALS) have passed on, but their stories are a testament to how they lived their lives in the face of ALS, much like Lou Gehrig did in his time.

For more on the ALS Association visit www.ALSASD.org

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