Community Corner

American Hero, Conjoined Whale Calves, Missing Navy Pilot

Plus, sleeping woman raped at La Mesa house party and more headlines from around the county.

You didn't have to be a Padres fan to have been saddened by the passing of the team's beloved announcer, Jerry Coleman, who died Sunday at age 89. He was a one-of-a-kind figure with baseball and apple pie in his blood. A real American hero.

From La Jolla Patch:

He began his professional baseball career in 1942 as a New York Yankees minor leaguer and made his big league debut in 1949.

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Coleman played nine seasons as a second baseman and was a member of six World Series teams.

In 1950, Coleman was selected the World Series' Most Valuable Player after the Yankees swept the Philadelphia Phillies. He also was an American League All-Star that year.

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The La Jolla resident retired from professional baseball after the 1957 season with a lifetime .263 average, 16 home runs and 217 runs batted in during 723 games.

Like many players of his era, Coleman interrupted his professional baseball career twice to serve in the military. However, he was the only one to see combat in both World War II and the conflict in Korea—as a Marine pilot.

Coleman earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 13 Air Medals and three Navy citations before retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was often referred to by his nickname, "The Colonel."

There is a Public Memorial Service Scheduled for Padres Announcer and La Jollan Jerry Coleman at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at Petco Park. Admission is free.

Oh, doctor! You can hang a star on that baby.

Here are some of the other headlines making news across San Diego County today:

Marines Prepare to Deploy from Camp Pendleton

Former CUSD Board Member Kelli Moors Fined $4k for Conflict of Interest Settlement

Conjoined Whale Calves Found in Baja California

Temporary Lane Closure Near San Ysidro Port of Entry Starting Sunday

Missing Navy Pilot is From Santee, Rescuers Call Off Search

Sleeping Woman Raped at La Mesa Party, Police Say

Ramona Crime: $10,000 Burglary at Vintage Hair Studio; 3 Shotguns, Pistol and TV Stolen


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