Jerry Coleman RIP -- January 9, 2014

Jerry Coleman grew up in San Francisco.  He went to Lowell. 

Jerry Coleman flew fighters  in combat for the US Marine Corps in both World War II and Korea.  He won two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Jerry Coleman played second base for the Yankees during the 1950s. 

Jerry Coleman broadcast for the Padres since 1972 and for CBS Radio.  The Padres made him their manager in 1980.  I remember my father saying it wasn't going to work.  It didn't.  I always enjoyed his work on the Game of the Week and the post season. 

Jerry Coleman was famous for his unique command of the English language.  "Winfield goes back to the wall, he hits his head on the wall and it rolls off! It’s rolling all the way back to second base. This is a terrible thing for the Padres." "Rich Folkers is throwing up in the bullpen." "George Hendrick simply lost that sun-blown popup." " McCovey swings and misses, and it's fouled back." "There's a hard shot to LeMaster and he throws Madlock into the dugout."

I will miss his voice. 

Nickname #20 -- November 15, 2012

Lewis "Chesty" Puller was the most-decorated member of the United States Marine Corps, with five Navy Crosses and many other awards.  He rose from Private to Lieutenant General during his long distinguished career.  He missed combat during World War One, but spent much of the inter-war period fighting in the Caribbean and Central America.  During World War II, he led Marines on Guadalcanal and other islands in the Pacific.  When the Korean War broke out, he was at Inchon. 

He earned his nickname because of his barrel chest and his aggressive posture.  Marines in boot camp end their day with a shout of "Good night Chesty Puller, wherever you are!"

A famous quote which General Puller may have said at the Chosin Reservoir:  "We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things."

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I was happy to learn that Buster Posey is the National League Most Valuable Player.