Petco Park- San Diego

“Oh Doctor…..  You can Hang a Star on that play!”
A signature quote from the long time voice of the San diego Padres, who was honored on September 15th, 2012 with a permanent statue at the Eastern Entrance of Petco Park.

A ceremony revealed the lifesize statue of one of San Diego’s real heros. Jerry Coleman has been the voice of the San Diego Padres for 40 years, but there is much more to this guy than just a radio voice…

Jerry Coleman was an HOF All-Star second baseman that shined in the 1950 World Series with brilliant defense, earning him the Babe Ruth Award as the series’ most valuable player.

He was nicknamed “The Colonel”, due to being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Jerry Coleman was also a Marine aviator and left baseball to serve in the Korean War, and postponed his professional baseball career to serve in World War II. He flew 120 combat missions as a Marine Aviator, and received numerous honors for his call to duty. He is one of only a few Major League Baseball players, including Ted Williams to have seen combat in two wars.

The “Colonel” also served as the interim manager for the Padres back in 1980 and with out a doubt deserves to be honored in bronze at the grand entrance to the home of the Padres.

You could definitly “Hang a Star” on Jerry’s accomplishments.