View source for Jerry Coleman

{{Short description|American MLB player, broadcaster, and manager (1924–2014)}}
{{For|the former radio personality|Jerry "Bo" Coleman}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Jerry Coleman
|image=Jerry Coleman of San Diego Padres.jpg
|caption=Jerry Coleman, August 2005
|position=[[Second baseman]] / [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]]
|birth_date={{birth date|1924|9|14}}
|birth_place=[[San Jose, California]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2014|1|5|1924|9|14}}
|death_place=[[San Diego, California]], U.S.
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|debutleague=MLB
|debutdate=April 20
|debutyear=1949
|debutteam=New York Yankees
|finalleague=MLB
|finaldate=September 29
|finalyear=1957
|finalteam=New York Yankees
|statleague=MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.263
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=16
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=217
|stat4label=Managerial record
|stat4value=73–89
|stat5label=Winning %
|stat5value=.451
|teams=
'''As player'''
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1949}}–{{mlby|1957}})
'''As manager'''
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|1980}})
|highlights=
* [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1950 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1950]])
* 4× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1949}}–{{wsy|1951}}, {{wsy|1956}})
* [[Ford C. Frick Award]] (2005)
* [[San Diego Padres Hall of Fame]]
|module=
{{Infobox military person
| embed         = yes
| name          = Jerry Coleman
| image         = US Navy 110922-N-KQ655-020 C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb, left, retired Major League Baseball player Jerry Coleman and actor Beau Bridges are recipient.jpg
| caption       = Coleman receiving the [[Lone Sailor Award]] in 2011
| birth_date          = 
| death_date          = 
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial = [[Miramar National Cemetery]], [[San Diego, California]]
| birth_place  = 
| death_place  = 
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} -->
| nickname      = The Colonel
| allegiance    = [[United States of America]]
| branch        = [[United States Marine Corps]]<br />*[[Marine Forces Reserve]]
| serviceyears  = 1942–1964<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerry Coleman |url=http://www.usmc-mccs.org/sports/hof/2005-coleman.cfm |date=March 13, 2007 |work=Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame |publisher=Marine Corps Community Services |access-date=July 15, 2009 |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703165856/http://www.usmc-mccs.org/sports/hof/2005-coleman.cfm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| rank          = [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant colonel]]
| unit          = [[VMSB-341]]<br />[[VMFA-323|VMA-323]]
| commands      =
| battles       = [[World War II]]
* [[Solomon Islands campaign]]
* [[Philippines Campaign (1944–45)]]
[[Korean War]]
| awards        = {{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|other_device=|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=80}} [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (2)<br />{{Ribbon devices|number=12|type=award-star|other_device=|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} [[Air Medal]] (13)
| relations     =
| laterwork     = New York Yankee Second Baseman<br />San Diego Padres Radio Announcer
}}}}

'''Gerald Francis Coleman''' (September 14, 1924 – January 5, 2014) was an American [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) [[second baseman]] for the [[New York Yankees]] and manager of the [[San Diego Padres]] for one year. Coleman was named the rookie of the year in 1949 by [[Associated Press]], and was an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] in 1950 and later that year was named the [[World Series Most Valuable Player]]. Yankees teams on which he was a player appeared in seven [[World Series]] during his career, winning five times. Coleman served as a [[United States Marines|Marine Corps]] pilot in [[World War II]] and the [[Korean War]], flying combat missions with the [[VMSB-341]] Torrid Turtles (WWII) and [[VMA-323]] Death Rattlers (Korea) in both wars.<ref name="highironillustrations.com">High Iron Illustrations, {{cite web |url=http://www.highironillustrations.com/rogues/jerry_coleman.html |title=Lt. Col. Jerry Coleman - Pilot |access-date=2012-01-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324210150/http://www.highironillustrations.com/rogues/jerry_coleman.html |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He later became a broadcaster, and he was honored in 2005 by the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] with the [[Ford C. Frick Award]] for his broadcasting contributions.<ref name="Post">Schudel, Matt (January 7, 2014) "Baseball legend was also a military hero" ''The Washington Post'', page B5. Digital version retrieved January 19, 2013 [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/jerry-coleman-baseball-player-and-announcer-dies-at-89/2014/01/06/b8957276-76fe-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html?tid=auto_complete]</ref>

==Playing career==

Born in [[San Jose, California]], Coleman graduated from [[Lowell High School (San Francisco)|Lowell High School]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous Lowell Graduates |url=http://www.lowellalumni.org/list_famous.shtml |publisher=Lowell Alumni Association |access-date=July 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924064617/http://www.lowellalumni.org/list_famous.shtml |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> then spent his entire playing career with the [[New York Yankees]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vecsey |first=George |date=January 6, 2014 |title=Jerry Coleman, 89, Yankee Infielder, Fighter Pilot and Voice of the Padres |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/sports/baseball/jerry-coleman-yankees-infielder-and-padres-broadcaster-dies-at-89.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115012851/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/sports/baseball/jerry-coleman-yankees-infielder-and-padres-broadcaster-dies-at-89.html |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=English}}</ref> He played six years in the Yankees' minor league system before reaching the big club in 1949. Coleman hit .275 in his first year and led all second basemen in fielding percentage. He was the [[Associated Press]] rookie of the year in 1949 and finished third in [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America]].<ref name=ap_02232005>{{cite news|title=Coleman given Ford C. Frick Award |date=February 23, 2005 |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1997226 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181911/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1997226 |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |quote=Coleman played in six World Series and was The Associated Press's rookie of the year in 1949. He was also the MVP of the 1950 World Series. |url-status=live }}</ref>

Coleman avoided a [[sophomore slump]] by earning a selection to the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team in 1950. He then shone in the [[1950 World Series|World Series]] with brilliant defense, earning him the [[BBWAA]]'s [[Babe Ruth Award]] as the series's most valuable player.<ref name=ap_02232005/>

Nicknamed "The Colonel" because he was a U.S. Marine Corps [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highironillustrations.com/rogues/jerry_coleman.html |title=Lt. Col. Gerald 'Jerry' F. Coleman – Pilot |year=2009 |work=Rogues |publisher=high iron illustrations |access-date=January 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324210150/http://www.highironillustrations.com/rogues/jerry_coleman.html |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Coleman was a [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] aviator who postponed his entry into professional baseball in [[World War II]] and later left baseball to serve in the [[Korean War]]. While a Marine Corps aviator he flew 120 combat missions (57 during World War II and 63 in Korea).<ref name="highironillustrations.com"/><ref name="Post"/> and received numerous honors and medals including two [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Crosses]].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Kris |last=Grant |title=Veterans Memorial to honor Jerry Coleman |url=http://www.lajollalight.com/2008/05/21/veterans-memorial-to-honor-jerry-coleman/ |work=La Jolla Light |publisher=MainStreet Media Group |date=May 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612142854/http://www.lajollalight.com/2008/05/21/veterans-memorial-to-honor-jerry-coleman/ |archive-date=June 12, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the years before his death, Coleman received numerous honors, including induction into the USMC Sports Hall of Fame,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony  |url=http://www.usmc-mccs.org/downloads/sports/Hall%20Luncheon%20Program%20-05.pdf |date=July 29, 2005 |publisher=Marine Corps Community Services |access-date=July 15, 2009}}</ref> for his call to duty.  Coleman was the only Major League Baseball player to see combat in two wars. (While [[Ted Williams]] served during both World War II and Korea, he flew combat missions only in the Korean War.)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ted Williams Official Web Site |url=http://www.tedwilliams.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Truth About Jerry Coleman |url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/05/20/opinion/shanahan052008.txt |date=May 20, 2008 |work=opinion |publisher=voiceofsandiego.org |access-date=July 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919201423/http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/05/20/opinion/shanahan052008.txt |archive-date=September 19, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Museum pays tribute to Jerry Coleman |date=October 27, 2011 |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/photos/galleries/2011/oct/27/museum-pays-tribute-jerry-coleman/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029060320/http://www.signonsandiego.com/photos/galleries/2011/oct/27/museum-pays-tribute-jerry-coleman/ |archive-date=October 29, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Coleman's career declined after he was injured the following season, relegating him to a bench role. He was forced to retire after the 1957 season, but he left on a good note, hitting .364 in a [[1957 World Series|World Series]] loss against the [[Milwaukee Braves]]. He appeared in the World Series six times in his career, winning four of them.<ref>{{cite news|last=Anderson |first=Dave |title=The Yankees' World Series Ring Leaders |date=October 28, 2009 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/sports/baseball/29anderson.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115002609/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/sports/baseball/29anderson.html |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Coleman appeared on the February 5, 1957 of the CBS game show ''[[To Tell the Truth]]'' as an imposter for singer [[Don Rondo]]. He received two votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=To Tell the Truth |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgjdA3L19hA  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/LgjdA3L19hA |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|website=[[CBS]] | date=October 2015 |access-date=5 May 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Broadcasting career==
In 1958, [[New York Yankees]] general manager [[George Weiss (baseball)|George Weiss]] named Coleman personnel director, which involved Coleman [[Scout (sport)|scouting]] [[Minor league baseball|minor league]] players. [[Roy Hamey]] terminated Coleman from that position, upon becoming the Yankees' general manager.<ref name="SDUT16SEP2012"/> It was only after Coleman met with [[Howard Cosell]] that Coleman considered becoming a broadcaster.<ref name="SDUT16SEP2012"/>

In 1960, Coleman began a broadcasting career with [[Major League Baseball on CBS|CBS]] television, conducting pregame interviews on the network's ''[[Major League Baseball Game of the Week|Game of the Week]]'' broadcasts. His broadcasting career nearly ended that year; he was in the midst of an interview with [[Cookie Lavagetto]] when the [[The Star-Spangled Banner|national anthem]] began playing. Coleman kept the interview going through the anthem, prompting an avalanche of angry letters to CBS.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Curt |author-link=Curt Smith (author) |title=Voices of Summer |year=2005 |publisher=Carroll & Graf |location=New York City |isbn=0-7867-1446-8 }}</ref>

In [[1963 New York Yankees season|1963]], he began a seven-year run calling Yankees games on [[WCBS (AM)|WCBS]] radio and [[WPIX]] television. During this time, he lived in [[Ridgewood, New Jersey]], which he described as being "19.9 miles from Yankee Stadium, but a million miles from New York".<ref>Brock, Corey. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160113011601/http://m.padres.mlb.com/news/article/38361922 "Oh, Doctor! Coleman synonymous with Padres; In 40th year as radio voice of club, 'The Colonel' to be honored on Saturday"], [[Major League Baseball]], September 13, 2012. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Coleman started out calling the national game of the week for CBS, but he began calling Yankees game in 1963. Working and living in New York, Coleman said, was intense. He lived in Ridgewood, N.J., which was '19.9 miles from Yankee Stadium, but a million miles from New York.'"</ref>

After broadcasting for the [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|California Angels]] for two years, in [[1972 California Angels season|1972]] Coleman became the lead radio announcer for the [[San Diego Padres]], a position he held every year until his death in [[2014 San Diego Padres season|2014]] except for [[1980 San Diego Padres season|1980]], when the Padres hired him to manage (predating a trend of broadcasters-turned-managers that started in the late 1990s).<ref>{{cite news |title=Baseball will honor Padres' longtime voice with broadcast award |author=Jay Posner |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20050223-9999-1n23coleman.html |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=February 23, 2005 |access-date=January 22, 2012}}</ref> He was known in [[San Diego]] for his signature catchphrase, "You can hang a star on that one, baby!", which he would deliver after a spectacular play.<ref>{{cite news|last=Price|first=Steve|title=A life you could hang a star on: Jerry Coleman 1924–2014|date=January 6, 2014|work=CBS8.com|url=http://www.cbs8.com/story/24378968/a-life-you-could-hang-a-star-on-jerry-coleman-1924-2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831065740/http://www.cbs8.com/story/24378968/a-life-you-could-hang-a-star-on-jerry-coleman-1924-2014|archive-date=August 31, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> During home games, the phrase would be accompanied by a tinsel star swinging from a fishing pole that emanated from his broadcast booth.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Ron|title=The Ballpark Book: A Journey Through the Fields of Baseball Magic|page=83|year=2000|publisher=The Sporting News|isbn=0-89204-633-3}}</ref> Coleman's other catchphrases included "Oh Doctor!", "And the beat goes on", and "The natives are getting restless".<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |agency=Associated Press |title=Padres Announcer Jerry Coleman Dies at 89 |url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/sports/Padres-Announcer-Jerry-Coleman-Dies-at-89-238801841.html |newspaper=KNSD |location=San Diego |date=6 January 2014 |access-date=2 June 2015 }}<br />{{cite web |url=http://library.escondido.org/author-and-hall-of-fame-sports-announcer-jerry-coleman.aspx |title=Author and Hall of Fame Sports Announcer Jerry Coleman |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=31 October 2011 |website=Escondido Public Library |publisher=City of Escondido |access-date=2 June 2015 |quote=Coleman is famous for his pet phrases "Oh Doctor!", "You can hang a star on that baby!", "And the beat goes on", and "The natives are getting restless". |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919154502/https://library.escondido.org/author-and-hall-of-fame-sports-announcer-jerry-coleman.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Coleman lent these catchphrases to great use when the [[1984 San Diego Padres season|Padres]] defeated the [[1984 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] in Game 5 of the [[1984 National League Championship Series]] to clinch the pennant and their first ever trip to the [[1984 World Series|World Series]].

<blockquote>Here's the [[Goose Gossage|Goose]]...the 1–1 pitch. A one hopper to [[Graig Nettles|Nettles]], to [[Alan Wiggins|Wiggins]]...and the Padres have the [[National League pennant]]!!! Oh doctor, you can hang a star on that baby!!!</blockquote>

He also called national regular-season and postseason broadcasts for [[Major League Baseball on CBS Radio|CBS Radio]] from the mid-1970s to 1997.<ref>{{cite news |last=Posner |first=Jay |title=About the Ford C. Frick award  |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/padres/20050731-9999-lz1s31frick.html |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=31 July 2005 |access-date=2 June 2015 |quote=2005: Jerry Coleman – Yankees: 1963–69; Padres: 1972–79, 1981–present; CBS Radio: 1970s–1997 }}</ref>

During an interview in the height of the steroids scandal in 2005, Coleman stated, "If I'm emperor, the first time 50 games, the second time 100 games and the third strike you're out",<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=21 January 2014 |title=Ashway: Coleman a true American hero |url=https://www.forsythnews.com/opinion/denton-ashway/ashway-coleman-a-true-american-hero/ |work=Forsyth County News |location=Forsyth County, Georgia |access-date=14 August 2019 }}<br />{{cite news |last=Vecsey |first=George |date=6 January 2014 |title=Jerry Coleman, 89, Yankee Infielder, Fighter Pilot and Voice of the Padres |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/sports/baseball/jerry-coleman-yankees-infielder-and-padres-broadcaster-dies-at-89.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=14 August 2019 }}</ref> referring to how baseball should suspend players for being caught taking steroids. After the [[2005 World Series]], Major League Baseball put a similar policy in effect.
[[file:Padres Ring of Honor.jpg|left|thumb|500px|The Padres named their press box at [[Petco Park]] "The Jerry Coleman Broadcast Center" in Coleman's honor.]]
Coleman was known as the "Master of the [[Malapropism|Malaprop]]" for making sometimes embarrassing mistakes on the microphone,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/quotes/quocole.shtml |title=Jerry Coleman Quotes |author=Geisler Young |work=Quotes |publisher=Baseball-almanac |access-date=January 22, 2012}}</ref> but he was nonetheless popular. In 2005, he was given the [[Ford C. Frick Award]] of the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] for broadcasting excellence, and is one of six Frick award winners who also played in the Major Leagues (the others are [[Joe Garagiola, Sr.|Joe Garagiola]], [[Tony Kubek]], [[Tim McCarver]], [[Bob Uecker]] and [[Ken Harrelson]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/frick.jsp |title=National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: Ford C. Frick Award |access-date=January 16, 2009 |archive-date=December 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217164419/http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/frick.jsp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

He was inducted into the [[San Diego Padres Hall of Fame]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Padres Hall of Fame |work=padres.mlb.com |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/sd/history/sd_padres_hof.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816175529/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/sd/history/sd_padres_hof.jsp |archive-date=August 16, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In fall 2007, Coleman was inducted to the [[National Radio Hall of Fame]] as a sports broadcaster for his years as the play-by-play voice of the San Diego Padres.<ref name="Post"/>  The Padres would also dedicate their press box to Coleman, renaming it "The Jerry Coleman Broadcast Center".

[[Ted Leitner]] and [[Andy Masur]] replaced Coleman for most of the radio broadcasting efforts for each Padres game.  He did, however, still work middle innings as a color analyst. As of the [[2010 San Diego Padres season|2010 season]], he reduced his broadcast schedule down to 20–30 home day games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/article_c316bf35-1037-5e96-b3f2-34f2ad437f2c.html|title=Coleman will have reduced role in 2010|first=John|last=Maffei|work=[[North County Times]]|date=February 4, 2010|access-date=February 18, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207040538/http://nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/article_c316bf35-1037-5e96-b3f2-34f2ad437f2c.html|archive-date=February 7, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> {{As of|2010|11}}, Coleman was the third-oldest active play-by-play announcer, behind only fellow Hall of Famers [[Felo Ramirez]] and [[Ralph Kiner]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101110&content_id=16056852&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Marines, not baseball, Coleman's proudest days |author=Bryan Hoch |date=November 11, 2010 |work=mlb.com news |publisher=[[Major League Baseball]] |access-date=July 18, 2011 |quote=Still enjoying his time in the game as baseball's oldest active play-by-play announcer with the Padres, Coleman is just grateful to have come home safely.}}</ref>

Coleman collaborated on his [[autobiography]] with longtime ''[[New York Times]]'' writer [[Richard Goldstein (writer born 1942)|Richard Goldstein]]; their book ''[[An American Journey: My Life on the Field, In the Air, and On the Air]]'' was published in 2008. On September 15, 2012, the Padres unveiled a [[Statue of Jerry Coleman|Coleman statue]] at [[Petco Park]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Coleman gets the star – and the statue – at Petco |author=Chris Jenkins |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/14/coleman-gets-star-and-statue-petco/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2013}}</ref> Coleman's statue is the second statue at Petco Park, the other being of Hall of Fame outfielder [[Tony Gwynn]].<ref name="SDUT16SEP2012">{{cite news |title=Hang a Star on that Statue |author=Bill Center |url=http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/16/tp-hang-a-star-on-that-statue/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=September 16, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106041348/http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/16/tp-hang-a-star-on-that-statue/ |archive-date=January 6, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==Awards==
[[File:Jerry Coleman statue.JPG|thumb|upright|240px|Statue of Coleman at [[Petco Park]]]]
Coleman was the recipient of the following medals:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=sd |title=Broadcasters |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=San Diego Padres |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=July 11, 2013 |quote=His military service record includes 120 missions, earning him two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 13 Air Medals and three Navy citations. |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910000210/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=sd |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (2)
* [[Air Medal]] (13)
* [[American Campaign Medal]]
* [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]]
* [[World War II Victory Medal]]
* [[National Defense Service Medal]]
* [[Korean Service Medal]]
* [[United Nations Service Medal]]
* [[Philippine Liberation Medal]]

In 2011, Coleman was inducted into the [[International Air & Space Hall of Fame|International Aerospace Hall of Fame]] in a ceremony at the [[San Diego Air & Space Museum]] for his service as a combat pilot in World War II and the Korean War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/exhibits/jerry_coleman/ |title=Jerry Coleman |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2015 |website=San Diego Air and Space Museum |access-date=2 June 2015 }}<br />{{cite web |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/sd/y2011/m11/d04/c25910542.jsp |title=Jerry Coleman to be inducted into International Air & Space Hall of Fame |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=4 November 2011 |website=San Diego Padres |publisher=Major League Baseball |access-date=2 June 2015 |quote=The San Diego Padres today announced Hall of Fame radio broadcaster Jerry Coleman will be inducted by the San Diego Air & Space Museum into its International Air & Space Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 5. Coleman will be honored, along with the rest of the distinguished Class of 2011, at the 48th Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, Legends of Flight. |archive-date=June 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603131053/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/sd/y2011/m11/d04/c25910542.jsp |url-status=dead }}</ref>  Although several Major League ballplayers flew during WWII, he was the only active member of MLB to do the deed twice, forgoing his career to fly in combat in both wars.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sisk |first=Richard |date=13 January 2014 |title=Jerry Coleman & Ted Williams: Korea Battle Buddies |url=http://www.military.com/off-duty/off-beat/2014/01/13/jerry-coleman-and-ted-williams-korea-battle-buddies.html |website=military.com |access-date=2 June 2015 }}<br />{{cite news |last=Rosgaard |first=Jessica |date=11 November 2010 |title=Ballplayers served country on battlegrounds |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/11/baseball.veterans/ |newspaper=CNN |access-date=2 June 2015 }}<br />{{cite book|author=Hal Bodley|title=How Baseball Explains America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hX0kAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT9|year= 2014|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=978-1-62368-807-3|page=9}}</ref> The SDASM restored a vintage F4U "Corsair" fighter-bomber in the markings of Coleman's aircraft during the Korean War and it is displayed under their SBD "Dauntless" dive bomber (which Coleman flew in combat during WW2).<ref>{{cite book|author=Andy Strasberg|title=San Diego Baseball Fantography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hf9kAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA126|year=2014|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-1-4671-3169-8|page=126}}<br />{{cite news |last=Center |first=Bill |date=27 October 2011 |title=Museum pays tribute to Jerry Coleman |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/oct/27/museum-pays-tribute-jerry-coleman/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |access-date=2 June 2015 }}</ref>

==Death==
Coleman's death was reported by the San Diego Padres on January 5, 2014. He died after being hospitalized after a fall in his home.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140105&content_id=66331700&vkey=pr_sd&c_id=sd |title=Statement from the San Diego Padres on the passing of Jerry Coleman |access-date=January 5, 2014 |archive-date=January 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114064557/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140105&content_id=66331700&vkey=pr_sd&c_id=sd |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was 89.<ref name="Post"/> Coleman was interred at [[Miramar National Cemetery]] after a private funeral.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |agency=Associated Press |title=Jerry Coleman remembered at Petco |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10315028/jerry-coleman-honored-memorial-san-diego |newspaper=ESPN |date=18 January 2014 |access-date=2 June 2015 }}<br />{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Public memorial held for beloved Padres broadcaster Jerry Coleman |url=http://www.10news.com/news/public-memorial-held-for-beloved-padres-broadcaster-jerry-coleman-01182014 |newspaper=KGTV |location=San Diego |date=18 January 2014 |access-date=2 June 2015 }}</ref>

==Legacy==
In 2015, a sports facility at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego]] was named in honor of Coleman.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nguyen |first=Alexander |title=Marine Corps Recruit Depot Names Sports Facility After Jerry Coleman |url=http://timesofsandiego.com/military/2015/04/03/marine-corps-recruit-depot-names-sports-facility-after-jerry-coleman/ |newspaper=Times of San Diego |date=3 April 2015 |access-date=2 June 2015 }}<br />{{cite news |last=Millburn |first=Mike |title=MCRD San Diego to name facility after Jerry Coleman |url=http://www.kusi.com/story/28715522/mcrd-san-diego-to-name-facility-after-jerry-coleman |newspaper=KUSI |location=San Diego |date=3 April 2015 |access-date=2 June 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115519/http://www.kusi.com/story/28715522/mcrd-san-diego-to-name-facility-after-jerry-coleman |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Baseball}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=112475|espn=20286|br=c/colemje01|fangraphs=1002423|brm=colema003ger}}
{{baseball-reference manager|colemje01}}
* [https://baseballhall.org/discover-more/awards/frick/jerry-coleman Jerry Coleman] Ford C. Frick Award biography at the National Baseball Hall of Fame
* {{YouTube|YKorBqqA50Y|Jerry Coleman discusses his career in the Marines and in baseball}}
* {{find a Grave}}

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{1949 New York Yankees}}
{{1950 New York Yankees}}
{{1951 New York Yankees}}
{{1956 New York Yankees}}
{{Babe Ruth Award}}
{{San Diego Padres HOF}}
{{San Diego Padres Hall of Fame}}
{{San Diego Padres managers|width=100}}
{{Major League Baseball on CBS}}
{{Major League Baseball on CBS Radio}}
{{2005 Baseball HOF}}
{{Ford C. Frick Award}}
{{New York Yankees HOF}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coleman, Jerry}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:American Korean War pilots]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American memoirists]]
[[Category:Baseball players from San Jose, California]]
[[Category:Binghamton Triplets players]]
[[Category:Burials at Miramar National Cemetery]]
[[Category:Ford C. Frick Award recipients]]
[[Category:Kansas City Blues (baseball) players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Angels announcers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball second basemen]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Bergen County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Newark Bears (International League) players]]
[[Category:New York Yankees announcers]]
[[Category:New York Yankees executives]]
[[Category:New York Yankees players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Ridgewood, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres announcers]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres managers]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps colonels]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps pilots of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps reservists]]
[[Category:United States Naval Aviators]]
[[Category:Wellsville Yankees players]]