The San Diego Paders have confirmed that longtime announcer Jerry Coleman has passed away at the age of 89.
Coleman is one of two Padres to have statues outside the teams ballpark, the other being hall of famer Tony Gwynn.
Coleman was a selection to the 1950 All-Star team and was part of four World Series winning teams. He later managed the Padres in 1980 between two stints as a broadcaster.
In 2005 he was awarded the Ford C. Frink Award by the Hall of Fame.
Coleman is also famous for his pet phrases “Oh Doctor!”, “You can hang a star on that baby!”, “And the beat goes on”, and “The natives are getting restless”.
From 1942-1964 Coleman was a reserve in the Marines rising to the level of Lieutenant Colonel. He served in World War II, the Korean War, and campaigns in the Solomon Island and Philippines. Coleman even left baseball to participate in the Korean War.
