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Stars Come Out for Coleman

By Reid Carroll


San Diego icon Jerry Coleman was honored for lifetime achievement by the San Diego Press Club at a gala May 12th at the Shelter Pointe Resort & Marina. San Diego Padres broadcaster and former pitcher Mark Grant hosted the program that moved at a brisk & entertaining pace.

The United States Marine Corps Air Station provided Coleman with an Honor Guard to open the program in a salute to his impressive military career. Guests then enjoyed a presentation by Cox Cable offering the audience some interesting facts about our honored guest and his many accomplishments in sports, broadcasting, and the military.

Marine Corps Brigadier General Mike Neil sketched a compelling bio of an 18-year-old boy who quickly became a man in the crucible of World War II. As a Marine fighter pilot, Coleman would ultimately fly 120 combat missions in two major wars and gather 13 Air Medals, three Navy Citations and two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and rise to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

General Neil commented that Coleman was the first and possibly the only humble fighter pilot he'd ever met in his 29 and a half years of active military duty. The gathering rose to their feet after Neil asked Lt. Colonel Coleman to stand up and be saluted by a General.

Cy Young Award winning pitcher Randy Jones praised Coleman's leadership and caring for his team players during Jerry's brief term as the Padres manager. Former Padres infielder Tim Flannery and current Padres manager Bruce Bochy also cited Jerry's counseling and genuine concern for team players over the years.

Although they couldn't be on hand in person, future Hall of Famers Trevor Hoffman and Tony Gwynn offered their comments via videotape.

Sponsors for the evening event included San Diego National Bank, Cox Cable and the San Diego Padres.

For more than 30years, Jerry Coleman has been a local fixture as a broadcaster and a willing speaker for various community organizations. Later this summer, Jerry Coleman will receive the Ford C. Frick Award for his accomplishments as a broadcaster and join the very select list of people who have earned that honor in baseball's Hall of Fame. One of Jerry's catchphrases regarding and outstanding play is " You can hang a star on that one." We need more than one star for Jerry Coleman.

Posted July 2005