Tag: sports

Tony Gwynn’s Memorial Tribute at Petco Park.

Tony Gwynn on video screen at Petco's Park at the Park.
Tony Gwynn on video screen at Petco’s Park at the Park.

Tonight I joined thousands of other San Diegans at Petco Park to honor the late Tony Gwynn, the greatest Padres player ever…and one of the greatest baseball players in the history of the sport.

I apologize that my camera takes very poor long distance shots. There were many speakers paying tribute to Tony, and my photos of the distant stage and podium came out terribly.

A few photographs seem to have captured the spirit of the occasion. Here they are…

San Diegans pay their respects at the Tony Gwynn statue.
San Diegans pay their respects at the Tony Gwynn statue.
Flowers, messages and memorabilia from loving fans.
Flowers, messages and memorabilia from loving fans.
Child reaches up to touch number 19.
Child reaches up to touch number 19.
Padres fans enter the stands before Tony Gwynn memorial begins.
Padres fans enter the stands before Tony Gwynn memorial begins.
Anthony Keith Gwynn, the greatest Padre ever.
Anthony Keith Gwynn, the greatest Padre ever.
Thanks for the memories, Mr. Padre.
Thanks for the memories, Mr. Padre.
Thousands gather long before the memorial tribute starts.
Thousands gather long before the memorial tribute starts.
Thank you signs and poignant gestures from the crowd.
Thank you signs and poignant gestures from the crowd.
White doves are released near the stage as program begins.
White doves are released near the stage as program begins.

Nineteen doves were released after a choir opened the service, singing: “I’m not here, but I’m not far. My spirit lives on.”

Ted Leitner remembers Tony and introduces many guests.
Ted Leitner remembers Tony and introduces many guests.

Ted Leitner, long-time Padres radio announcer, said that we’d never forget the greatest hitter of his generation. He then asked the crowd to provide one last standing ovation. During the memorial tribute, Ted played a recording of Tony’s unforgettable laugh from a cell phone.

There were scores of distinguished guests, and several speakers remembered Tony Gwynn for the cheering crowd.

Reggie Jackson, Mr. October, gave a Yankee salute to Tony and his family. San Diego’s mayor spoke, and so did the Chief Operating Officer of Major League Baseball. Tony La Russa and Joe Torre stood up in the VIP section to loud applause. On the big video screen, tributes were offered by former teammates and opponents alike. In old videos, Tony Gwynn was treated with respect by contemporary baseball greats, including Mike Schmidt, Cal Ripken, Greg Maddux, Tommy Lasorda and many others.

Every guest speaker at the memorial seemed to agree that Tony was an inspiration to all those around him. To many he was a mentor, and to all he was a friend.

Tony Gwynn is remembered as a great player and great man.
Tony Gwynn is remembered as a great player and great man.
After the ceremony, number 19 remains on field.
After the ceremony, number 19 remains on field.
Petco Park slowly empties after tribute ends.
Petco Park slowly empties after tribute ends.

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Exciting start to San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon!

People arrive at dawn to participate in Rock 'n Roll Marathon.
People arrive at dawn to participate in Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.

I woke up very early this morning to check out the start of today’s big San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. I’d never been to the event in past years, so the magnitude of the race really floored me. The west part of Balboa Park and many blocks of Sixth Avenue were packed with super energetic humanity!

Here are a bunch of pics!

Dozens of UPS trucks served as the gear check.
Dozens of UPS trucks served as the gear check.
Marathon runners warm up in west Balboa Park.
Marathon runners warm up in west Balboa Park.
San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon corrals fill up.
San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon corrals begin to fill up.
Just minutes before the big marathon starts!
Just minutes before the big San Diego marathon starts!
Thousands are ready to race at Rock 'n Roll Marathon.
Thousands are ready to race at the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.
Athletes With disabilities are first to begin the race!
Athletes with disabilities are first to begin the race!
They're off from the start line!
They’re off from the start line!
Full marathon runners get ready to begin big race.
Full marathon runners get ready to begin their race for glory.
Lots of photographers record the race action.
Lots of photographers record the colorful action.
San Diego Rock 'n Roll full marathoners go!
San Diego Rock ‘n Roll full marathoners go!
Runners start up Sixth Avenue with great excitement.
Runners start up Sixth Avenue with great excitement.
Photos were being taken all over the place.
Photos were being taken all over the place.
Racers pass announcer stand and American flag.
Racers pass announcer stand, San Diego mayor and American flag.
Runners wave at Cameron of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Runners wave at Cameron of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
KUSI reporter Kerri Lane looks bored.
KUSI television reporter Kerri Lane between live shots.

And now I’m hungry for breakfast!  Walking back toward home, I snap a couple more photos!

Half marathoners gather into the corrals for their race.
Half marathoners gather into the corrals for their race.
Late arrivers walk up Sixth Avenue from downtown.
Late arrivers walk up Sixth Avenue from downtown.

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San Diego’s All-American Soap Box Derby!

Boy gets encouragement before racing in Soap Box Derby.
Boy gets encouragement before racing in Soap Box Derby.

San Diego’s annual Local Race put on by the All-American Soap Box Derby was held today! The action could be found on 25th Street in Sherman Heights, a neighborhood just east of downtown!

Local kids, 7 to 18 years old, build their own gravity cars, then race them down a straight, sloped residential street. There are three classes of competition: Stock Division, Super Stock Division, and Masters Division. Each class features a unique type of race car.

The kids were having a blast!

Kids learn workmanship building gravity cars.
Kids learn workmanship building gravity cars.
The very simple interior of a gravity car.
The very simple interior of a gravity car.
Two competitors get some last minute advice.
Two competitors get some last minute advice.
Ready to race!
Ready to race!
Man pushes Ice cream cart up 25th Street hill.
Man pushes Ice cream cart up 25th Street hill.
Here they come! Racers speed past spectators!
Here they come! Racers speed past spectators!
Announcer at finish line watches the action!
Announcer at finish line watches the action!
One race is over and a car is retrieved.
One race is over and a car is retrieved.
Gravity cars are towed back up to the start line!
Gravity cars are towed back up to the start line!

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Surfers ride waves near Imperial Beach pier.

Surfer rides a wave just below the Imperial Beach pier.
Surfer rides a wave just below the Imperial Beach pier.

Wow! Check out this first cool pic! Did that come out great, or what?

I’m in the middle of my week off from work, and today I went to Coronado again and biked down the Silver Strand to Imperial Beach. I’ve got more photos than you can shake a stick at!

What a beautiful day. I stood on the pier at a spot between the beach and breaking waves and tried to photograph a group of surfers below. Most of action was too far away for my little camera, but a few pics seem worth sharing…

Surfers wait for the perfect wave near Imperial Beach pier.
Surfers wait for the perfect wave near Imperial Beach pier.
Surfer gets ready to go for a ride.
Surfer gets ready to go for a ride.
Surfer riding a nice wave on a sunny day.
Surfer riding a nice wave on a sunny day.
Guy on surfboard just coasting along the foamy ocean surface.
Guy on surfboard just coasting along the foamy ocean surface.
No fishing in the surf zone on Imperial Beach pier.
No fishing in the surf zone on Imperial Beach pier.

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Padres Opening Day Block Party in East Village.

Funny pig at Padres Opening Day Block Party.
Funny pig at Padres Opening Day Block Party.

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 fans in East Village by Petco Park.
Baseball’s Opening Day celebrated in East Village by Petco Park.
Padres fan tests his pitching arm.
San Diego Padres fan tests his pitching arm.
Dodgers fans might require a security blanket.
Dodgers fans might require a security blanket.
People relax and enjoy live music on Padres Opening Day.
People relax and enjoy live music on Padres Opening Day.

Happy fans go crazy at 2014 Padres FanFest!

A big crowd turned out for the 2014 Padres Fanfest!
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.
Padres fans stream up the stairs at Petco Park.
People enjoy themselves on the baseball field at Padres Fanfest.
People enjoy themselves on the baseball field at Padres FanFest.
Posing for photos at home plate at Padres Fanfest.
Posing for photos at home plate at Padres FanFest.
Padres fans could either walk or run the bases.
Padres fans could either walk or run the bases.
Small girl with a big pink baseball bat.
Small girl with a big pink baseball bat.
Padres ball girl reaches into bucket just before throwing to a fan.
Padres ball girl reaches into bucket just before throwing to a fan.
A vendor with cotton candy moves through the crowd on the field.
A vendor with cotton candy moves through the crowd on the field.
Small girl heads toward a big pretzel.
Small girl heads toward a big pretzel.
Padres fan gets to throw a pitch in the Petco bullpen!
Padres fan gets to throw a pitch in the Petco bullpen!
Fans wait in line to field balls in Petco's outfield.
Fans wait in line to field balls in Petco’s outfield.
Padres manager Bud Black speaks to Fanfest crowd.
Padres manager Bud Black speaks to FanFest crowd.
Kids check out the big display on the outfield wall.
Kids check out the big display on the outfield wall.
Looking from The Beach through the outfield fence at lots of fans.
Looking from The Beach through the outfield fence at lots of fans.
Fans stream up from The Beach to the Park at the Park.
Fans stream up from The Beach to the Park at the Park.
Inflatable Friar stands atop hill overlooking the Kidsfest.
Inflatable Friar stands atop hill overlooking the KidsFest.
Padres fan does pull-ups at Marines booth at Fanfest.
Padres fan does chin-ups at Marines booth at FanFest.
A military robot fascinates kids at Padres Fanfest.
A military robot fascinates kids at Padres FanFest.
Kids play at base of Tony Gwynn statue.
Kids play at base of Tony Gwynn statue.
Padres Kidsfest featured lots of games and happy families.
Padres KidsFest featured lots of games and happy families.
Boy gets ready to swing a bat.
Boy gets ready to swing a bat.
Pets available for adoption from Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Pets available for adoption from Helen Woodward Animal Center.
People watch kids playing baseball during Padres Fanfest.
People watch kids playing baseball during Padres FanFest.
Kids play in the tiny baseball field at the Park at the Park.
Kids play in the tiny baseball field at the Park at the Park.

Photos of Jerry Coleman public memorial service.

Jerry Coleman, a life well lived.
Jerry Coleman, a life well lived.

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.
Crowd enters Petco Park for Jerry Coleman memorial service.
Petco Park screens show photos of Colonel Coleman.
Petco Park screens show photos of Colonel Coleman.
San Diegans fill Petco to demonstrate their love for Jerry.
San Diegans fill Petco to demonstrate their love for Jerry.
The colors are presented while everyone stands.
The colors are presented while everyone stands.
Dick Enberg remembers the late Jerry Coleman.
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.
Fan holds up a star to honor Jerry Coleman.
Tim Flannery sings his own composition about 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.
Padres fan reads about a hero’s many accomplishments.
JC in a star on the scoreboard, and on next year's uniforms.
JC in a star on the scoreboard, and on next year’s uniforms.
Joe Torre represents Major League Baseball at Coleman memorial.
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 gives memorable and emotional keynote speech.
Ted Leitner gives memorable, emotional keynote speech.

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.
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.

Celebrating a life well lived.
Celebrating a life well lived.

Why I loved Jerry Coleman.

Jerry Coleman in Padres broadcast booth.
Jerry Coleman in Padres broadcast booth from http://www.newstimes.com.

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.

Rest in Peace hero Jerry Coleman, 1924-2014.

Hang a star on that hero! Thank you for everything Jerry!
Hang a star on that hero! Thank you for everything Jerry!

A great hero.

A great player.

A great broadcaster.

A great man.

Flowers mark the passing of San Diego's beloved Jerry Coleman.
Flowers mark the passing of San Diego’s beloved Jerry Coleman.

Chargers kicker Nick Novak at Kids Newsday.

chargers kicker nick novak at kids newsday

Our leisurely walk through Balboa Park has been interrupted by a great pic I got this morning!

Outstanding kicker Nick Novak and other Chargers players were out on busy street corners to help with Kids Newsday, which raises money for Rady Children’s Hospital! They were handing out newspapers filled with cool articles written by kids while collecting donations from passing motorists.

In this photo, Nick is being interviewed by a Union Tribune journalist in Mission Valley. You can see other participants holding yellow signs across the intersection.