Hall of Fame Sports Broadcaster, Major League Baseball Player, Manager. For nine seasons (1949 to 1957), he played at the second base, shortstop and third base positions with the New York Yankees. From 1972 to 1979 and 1981 until 2013, he served as a broadcaster with the San Diego Padres. In 26 World Series contests, he totaled 19 hits with a .275 batting average. He was a contributor to four world championship seasons (1949 to 1951 and 1956) and was the recipient of the Babe Ruth Award for the 1950 World Series. Born Gerald Francis Coleman, he attended Lowell High School in San Francisco and was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1942. He served with the United States Marine Corps during World War II and saw action as a fighter pilot in the Solomon Islands area. He secured the starting second baseman position with the Yankees and marked his Major League debut on April 20, 1949. He was named Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and the next season (1950), Coleman produced a career-high 150 hits which earned him All-Star status. During the Korean War, he resumed his military service. Among the many decorations he received include 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses and several Air Medals. In 723 regular season games, he compiled 558 hits with a lifetime .263 batting average. After his retirement as a player, he embarked on a lengthy career in broadcasting. Initially, he worked national games, followed by play-by-play duties with the Yankees. With the exception of 1980, Coleman served as a member of the San Diego Padres' broadcast team and remained at that capacity until 2013. In 1980, he briefly returned to the field to serve as manager of the San Diego Padres. He received the Ford Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Padres' Hall of Fame in 2001. He died of complications from a fall at his home.
Hall of Fame Sports Broadcaster, Major League Baseball Player, Manager. For nine seasons (1949 to 1957), he played at the second base, shortstop and third base positions with the New York Yankees. From 1972 to 1979 and 1981 until 2013, he served as a broadcaster with the San Diego Padres. In 26 World Series contests, he totaled 19 hits with a .275 batting average. He was a contributor to four world championship seasons (1949 to 1951 and 1956) and was the recipient of the Babe Ruth Award for the 1950 World Series. Born Gerald Francis Coleman, he attended Lowell High School in San Francisco and was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1942. He served with the United States Marine Corps during World War II and saw action as a fighter pilot in the Solomon Islands area. He secured the starting second baseman position with the Yankees and marked his Major League debut on April 20, 1949. He was named Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and the next season (1950), Coleman produced a career-high 150 hits which earned him All-Star status. During the Korean War, he resumed his military service. Among the many decorations he received include 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses and several Air Medals. In 723 regular season games, he compiled 558 hits with a lifetime .263 batting average. After his retirement as a player, he embarked on a lengthy career in broadcasting. Initially, he worked national games, followed by play-by-play duties with the Yankees. With the exception of 1980, Coleman served as a member of the San Diego Padres' broadcast team and remained at that capacity until 2013. In 1980, he briefly returned to the field to serve as manager of the San Diego Padres. He received the Ford Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Padres' Hall of Fame in 2001. He died of complications from a fall at his home.
Bio by: C.S.
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