Former Yankee & true hero Jerry Coleman has passed at the age of 89. I never saw him play but he was discribed as one of the best defensive 2nd baseman ever. After signing with the Yankees in 1942 he was called to service before ever playing a game. During WW2 he flew 57 combat missions. His career was interupted again during the Korean war where he flew another 120 missions while rising to the ranks of Lieutenant colonel. After his stint in Korea he was never able to regain his form & retired at the age of 32. He has spent the last 40 years as the broadcaster for the San Diego Padres. R.I.P. Jerry Coleman.
I remember Jerry Colemans 1957 season, liked him as a player, and as a broadcaster. I respected his service in WWII and the Korean Conflict stepping up when his country called. During interviews I heard Coleman and Bob Feller both state that WWII the big game that had to be won. I recently heard the Colonel being interviewed via phone on hot stove. Well sir, Colonel Coleman as a retired Army Sergeant and Viet Nam Vet I salute you, may you rest in peace.
Michael I never went over seas but from one vet to another, thank you for your service. Its really amazing when you think of what so many players #s would have looked like had they not had to serve like Williams, Feller, Mays & many others.
I mean Yogi Berra, Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, Bob Feller, Stan Musial, Warren Spahn, Willie Mays, Ted Williams (WW2 & Korea) & even WW1 vets like Ty Cobb & Christy Mathewson. The record books would look VERY different.
Jackie Robinsons late start was the war years and his race. Had the war not started would he have been able to enter MLB sooner we'll never know. I was fortunate enough to see him play and a very good one he was in the '55 & '56 season. Stan the Man only missed one year, must have been a "fortunate son" to some degree. Always liked him, loved his batting stance. Yogi was very young I think 19 or twenty so his service really concluded before his career got under way. At any rate they all served and served well and so I respect that.
Coleman was a class act who was a typical of his generation. Great Ballplayer, Great Soldier, and a Great Man, I fear we will miss this breed when they are gone.
OK, I know Ted Williams also fought WWII and Korean.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Williams And Williams did it for the Marine Corp too...
Actually Williams flew 30 some odd missions during the Korean War, Williams was wingman to John Glenn who reported that Teddy Ball Game was a damn good Pilot.
Williams was an instructor early '40's - he saw combat in the Korean War. Coleman saw combat in both WW2 and Korean War. Both brave men and great Americans. From Wikipedia- Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman (September 14, 1924 – January 5, 2014) was a 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 All-Star in 1950 and later that year was named the World Series most valuable player. His Yankees teams appeared in six World Series in his career, winning four times. Coleman served as a Marine Corps pilot in WW II and the Korean War, flying combat missions in both wars.
