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.

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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

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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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The three are of David Brown along with his guide Roland Slade. Listen to how they work together to train and now compete.  Jeremy Campbell didn’t mention he was throwing the discus for the Paralympics — so I thought at first it was for the Olympics. It seems he doesn’t want the distinction, in some ways, and is determined to be in the Olympics in 2016 in Rio competing with what’s generally termed the able-bodied athletes.The person who set me straight on Jeremy’s status was Chris Clemens, competing in Track and Field. Jeremy’s story is incredible, too. Hint — he served his country and now he’s competing for the USA. Simply Amazing.

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Adrian has also been a good friend and supporter in my efforts off the field, participating in my Book Launch Charity event and being one of three special people (including Dave Roberts and Larry Lucchino) meeting fans and introducing me at a book talk and signing in Boston for the Great Fenway Park Writers Series. With all the demands on his time in Boston, he was loyal and thankful for how my work told his, his brother Edgar’s, and his family’s story over the years.

I share this especially for those who don’t know Adrian — yet — and who want to get to know him now that he’s with the Dodgers. Much has happened in the few years since he found a home at first base with his hometown Padres… and then with the Red Sox. Still, the chapter on him in my book and this excerpt below from the 2007 show at his parent’s home, offer insight into who he is, where he comes from, and his bigger picture perspective.

That he loved to watch Fernando Valenzuela growing up, along with Padres great Tony Gwynn, adds yet another special significance to his baseball journey. Enjoy… and even though you’re in the division rival Dodgers’ camp… welcome back west, Adrian. We’ve missed you.

Get the book on this website on the One on One Store page (signed copies available) or on amazon.com and bn.com

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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.”

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I spent the afternoon getting to know several of them. Their enthusiasm, heart and humility are impressive. (Will share the Paralympics athletes with you later.)

But first, listen to Padres players Huston Street, Micah Owings and Logan Forsythe offer their good wishes, and address my request to compare and contrast the differences of being a full-time professional baseball player and an Olympic athlete. (footnote — excluding, of course, pro NBA players)

Katelyn Falgowski– Field Hockey: bright, bubbly from Landenburg, PA

Keli Smith-Puzo — Field Hockey: 2-time Olympian, oldest member, married and mother of two from Selinsgrove, PA

Brady Ellison — Archery:  2-time Olympian who received his first bow at age 7 and overcame a leg disease to become a 3-time Archery World Cup gold medalist.

Elliot Hovey — Quadruple Scull: from Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, attended UC Berkeley and is a 2-time Olympian.

Alex Osborn — Quadruple Scull:  From Los Angeles, CA , highly influenced by his freshman coach at Stanford and is interested in a career in internet start ups after rowing.

Wes Piermarini — Quadruple Scull: From West Brookfield, MA is an architect, and wanted to initially compete in the Olympic Games as a skier, but getting hooked on rowing as a freshmen in college changed that course.

Peter Graves — Quadruple Scull: Hometown Cincinnati, OH, most memorable sporting moment prior to Olympics, was his winning performance at the 2005 Henley Royal Regatta.

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