The big Tony Gwynn flag flies above tall ship America at Maritime Museum.
Both before and after work today, I strolled over to the Embarcadero to take a few pics of the big, 50 foot Tony Gwynn flag. It’s been flying for a couple days from the mast of America, a tall ship owned by Next Level Sailing. America is a replica of the yacht that won the original America’s Cup.
The flag in the late afternoon was fluttering in the sea breeze and glowing brightly in the San Diego sunlight. It seemed a perfect symbol of Tony Gwynn himself. The great, always smiling Padres hitter was not only a superstar, but was like sunshine on a perfect day.
I took the first photo in the early morning, and the others in the late afternoon.
Flag is flown in memory of deceased Tony Gwynn, number 19.Tony Gwynn flag on San Diego Bay seen between Star of India masts.Star of India figurehead faces 19, uniform number of Tony Gwynn.
During my walk along the Embarcadero on June 29, I happened to notice a big Tony Gwynn Padres jersey hanging from the roof of the County Administration Building!
Tony Gwynn jersey on County Administration Building.
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Balloons honor 19, Baseball Hall of Fame player Tony Gwynn’s number.
This morning Tony Gwynn passed away. Nearly everyone in San Diego loved Mr. Padre. Count me among them.
I drove past Petco Park’s beautiful Park at the Park just before noon and wandered in over the green grass just to see his statue. A crowd of Padres fans had gathered. Flowers and other tributes formed a growing shrine at the base of his sculpture. The big screen was showing interviews and memorable plays from the amazing baseball career of Tony Gwynn. I noted several people were wiping their eyes. I had to do a bit of blinking, myself.
Tony Gwynn worked hard and good things happened.Flowers decorate the base of Tony Gwynn statue.Padres fans watch the big smiling face of Tony Gwynn.Father with child wipes tears from his eyes.
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I enjoyed a stroll through East Village this morning. It was my opportunity to take a few pics of the Padres Opening Day Block Party just north of Petco Park.
Dozens of tents and booths were lined up on either side of J Street. Kettle corn, barbeque on the grill, baseball souvenirs, assorted nonprofits and salespeople and radio shows…all the usual suspects were there. And, of course, baseball fans!
Baseball’s Opening Day celebrated in East Village by Petco Park.San Diego Padres fan tests his pitching arm.Dodgers fans might require a security blanket.People relax and enjoy live music on Padres Opening Day.
Two workers put up large Padres banner at Petco Park.
A variety of workers were out on Sunday afternoon preparing Petco Park for Padres opening day, which is less than two weeks away. I got a few pics of the action…
Getting the outfield ready for baseball’s Opening Day.Watering lush new grass at the Park At The Park.Still no graphics on the back side of the scoreboard.Brand new street lamp banners announce the 2014 season.
A big crowd turned out for the 2014 Padres FanFest!
This morning I spent a little time at this year’s Padres FanFest. Wow! I’d never been to this event before, and it was bigger and more exciting than I expected! Padres fans could engage in all sorts of fun activities throughout Petco Park, and I took photos everywhere I turned. Here are a few good ones…
Padres fans stream up the stairs at Petco Park.People enjoy themselves on the baseball field at Padres FanFest.Posing for photos at home plate at Padres FanFest.Padres fans could either walk or run the bases.Small girl with a big pink baseball bat.Padres ball girl reaches into bucket just before throwing to a fan.A vendor with cotton candy moves through the crowd on the field.Small girl heads toward a big pretzel.Padres fan gets to throw a pitch in the Petco bullpen!Fans wait in line to field balls in Petco’s outfield.Padres manager Bud Black speaks to FanFest crowd.Kids check out the big display on the outfield wall.Looking from The Beach through the outfield fence at lots of fans.Fans stream up from The Beach to the Park at the Park.Inflatable Friar stands atop hill overlooking the KidsFest.Padres fan does chin-ups at Marines booth at FanFest.A military robot fascinates kids at Padres FanFest.Kids play at base of Tony Gwynn statue.Padres KidsFest featured lots of games and happy families.Boy gets ready to swing a bat.Pets available for adoption from Helen Woodward Animal Center.People watch kids playing baseball during Padres FanFest.Kids play in the tiny baseball field at the Park at the Park.
Today, an estimated 5000 people turned out for the public memorial service celebrating the life of the late Jerry Coleman. The service took place at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. “The Colonel” had been the central figure in the Padres baseball organization for over four decades. Jerry’s broadcasting voice will be missed by generations of fans. An excellent argument can be made that he was the most loved public figure in the history of our city.
I apologize that my camera isn’t of the highest quality. I do hope you enjoy a few images that I captured.
Crowd enters Petco Park for Jerry Coleman memorial service.Petco Park screens show photos of Colonel Coleman.San Diegans fill Petco to demonstrate their love for Jerry.The colors are presented while everyone stands.Dick Enberg remembers the late Jerry Coleman.
Dick Enberg noted that the stage was located on Jerry’s favorite spot: second base. After the playing of the National Anthem by the Marine Band, F-18 fighter jets roared overhead in the missing man formation.
Fan holds up a star to honor Jerry Coleman.Tim Flannery sings his own composition about Jerry Coleman.
After speeches by Randy Jones, Bob Chandler, Ron Fowler and Ron Roberts, fan-favorite former Padres player Tim Flannery sang his own stirring composition about Jerry Coleman, the man who hung the stars.
Padres fan reads about a hero’s many accomplishments.JC in a star on the scoreboard, and on next year’s uniforms.Joe Torre represents Major League Baseball at Coleman memorial.
Joe Torre received great applause when he related a few humorous and touching old Yankees stories, and spoke of Jerry Coleman’s heroism and humility.
Ted Leitner, Jerry’s broadcast partner for many years, brought laughter and tears with his intimate accounts of a baseball legend’s modest personality and funny quirks. He concluded that Jerry Coleman was the best man he’d ever known.
Marines fire guns to salute a true hero.
After a salute by the Marine Corps, a T-6 SNJ aircraft from 1942, similar to the one Coleman flew in World War II passed overhead to honor the former Marine.
Jerry’s daughter Chelsea then spoke about her dad. She said that all he really lived for was his country, the game of baseball, and the people he loved. Dick Enberg concluded the memorial by saying that we all were fortunate to be part of the legacy of Jerry Coleman.
I loved the cheerful voice of Jerry Coleman. The good humor, dignity and optimism it conveyed during Padres broadcasts were an important part of my life. I listened to that voice for over thirty years.
Jerry Coleman was a remarkable man. He was both a genuine war hero and genuine baseball superstar. There was nothing phony or inflated about his life achievements. And he remained humble. He didn’t have a trace of conceit. He simply loved life, his family and country.
In a world where many self-centered people are hungry for fame, and make fools of themselves to achieve it, I think it was the humility of this truly legendary man that made him so loved by ordinary San Diegans. That and his simple good humor.
I never met him. But losing Jerry Coleman feels like losing a friend.
A stickball tournament was held Sunday in San Diego’s Little Italy, one block from the Festa event! The playing field was a city street in front of the Firehouse Museum. Lots of people watched from the sidewalk, sitting on lawn chairs and the curb.
Here’s a team wearing spiffy uniforms, getting ready to begin a game. A player practices his swing while the lineup is written with chalk on the street.
Here’s a player from the opposing team swinging. If I recall correctly, he hit the rubber ball into a treetop, and it dropped for a single. Another player hit the ball onto the porch of a condo down the street. That guy was called out.
When I departed, the team in the spiffy uniforms was losing badly.
UPDATE!
Here are a couple more photos from a different Saturday morning in late summer…
A player misses and is called out to the dismay of his team.Lady swings and crushes the ball a long distance down Columbia Street!
I saw this funny sight and had to take a photo. It’s a sign in the form of a pig.
Phil’s BBQ serves barbeque in the Park at the Park during Padres home games. Seems they were winners this year of the Stadium Food King Challenge, a tastiest food contest put on by USA Today. Phil’s tri-tip sandwich beat out the Diamondbacks Sororan Dog, the Brewers pulled pork parfait, and the Royals Cheesy Brisket-acho for top honors.
Here’s a pic I took another day…
Giant pig with Padres logo and baseball cap seems trapped behind bars at Petco Park!
Cool San Diego Sights! 