JERRY COLEMAN

Jerry Coleman was the beloved radio voice of the San Diego Padres for more than 30 years.

A former Major League second baseman, Coleman spent his entire playing career with the New York Yankees before beginning his broadcasting career in 1960 for the CBS Radio Network. In 1963 he began a seven-year run calling New York Yankees’ games on WCBS/New York and WPIX-TV. He then spent two years calling California Angels games on KMPC/Los Angeles.

He became the lead radio announcer for the Padres in 1972 and has been behind the mic every year since except 1980. That year he spent the season managing the team to a sixth place finish, before returning to the broadcast booth the next year. From the mid 1970s until 1997, Coleman also called games for the CBS Radio Network.

Coleman has established himself as a San Diego icon, thanks to his strong concise style, as well as catchphrases, such as “Oh Doctor!” and “You can hang a star on that baby.” His frequent malaprops, or “Colemanisms,” have only added to his popularity among the Padre faithful.

Jerry Coleman died on January 5, 2014.

He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.