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…
Another very well-liked person in San Diego is Padres radio announcer Jerry Coleman. His accomplishments have been so impressive, he’s got a statue and memorial at Petco Park, just inside the east entrance to the Park at the Park.
I remembering listening to Jerry when I was a kid. At the time he did the Padres radio play-by-play, and was teamed with Dave Campbell who provided color commentary. Today, at the lively age of 89, he takes part in the broadcast during day games.
Jerry, also known as “The Colonel”, was named major league baseball Rookie of the Year in 1949 as Yankees second baseman. In 1950 his defensive plays made him most valuable player in the World Series.
As a Marine aviator, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Coleman interrupted his baseball career to serve in the Korean War. He flew 120 combat missions and received two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also flew during World War II, making him the only major league baseball player to serve in two wars.
Jerry, famous for his enthusiastic phrases “Oh, Doctor!” and “You can hang a star on that baby!” was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.
A good argument can be made that the most-liked person in San Diego is Tony Gwynn. He’s one of the friendliest, most good-natured guys you’ll ever find, not to mention one of the best hitters ever in the history of baseball. He was voted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible. He’s also got a great statue in East Village at the center of Petco’s Park at the Park. You’re looking at it!
Tony Gwynn, affectionately called Mr. Padre, played 20 years for the San Diego Padres, winning eight batting titles and five Gold Glove awards. He appeared in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game 15 times! Today he’s the head baseball coach for San Diego State University.
A quote from Tony’s father Charles appears on the statue’s base: “If you work hard good things will happen.” These words inspired one of the greatest hitters in the history of professional baseball.
UPDATE…
Here are a few closer photos that I took years later, after the tragic passing of Tony.
Downtown residents and visitors to East Village have access to a great public resource. Green grass, shady trees, a large playground, and views of the city can all be freely enjoyed (when the San Diego Padres aren’t playing a home game) at the Park at the Park!
Situated beyond Petco Park’s outfield, surrounded by sleek city buildings, this public park has a small ball field which is perfectly sized for children. In this pic, taken near the end of the baseball season (the Padres were in San Francisco), a family is seen walking across the diamond. Those patches of bare dirt testify to the popularity of the park during the summer and long baseball season.
Here’s a pic taken on 2/8/14 during Padres FanFest…
Here’s a pic taken on 7/6/14 during a Sunday afternoon Padres game. This year Bumble Bee (the tuna company) is sponsoring the kids baseball field, with promotional signs on the outfield fence. A new food concession stand has been added just beyond right field…
And finally a pic taken when no one was around…
Late this morning, loads of Padres fans anticipating a great baseball game were entering Petco Park from its east side. Before filing through the gate and past the cool new Jerry Coleman memorial, they passed this colorful vendor. All sorts of Padres gear was on display for supportive fans.
Sunny summer days of baseball are full of life, sounds, smells, color and pageantry. Going to a Padres game in San Diego is always a fun experience, win or lose!
I took a couple more related pics at the beginning of the 2015 season…
Look at these folks enjoying a walk across the new Harbor Drive bridge, over trolley and train tracks, on the way from the San Diego Convention Center and waterfront Hilton toward Petco Park. It’s hard to believe this incredible sports stadium is already ten years old. It seems like it was built only yesterday!
Should you ever attend a Padres baseball game, you’ll be treated to views of glistening downtown skyscrapers beyond the outfield, not to mention beautiful weather and lots of friendly fans.
Here’s a cool pic I converted to grayscale:
Here are a couple more similar pics taken in April of 2015…
Cool San Diego Sights! 