From Ted Williams to Bob Feller to Joe DiMaggio, yesterday's professional athletes played ball and served in the US armed forces.  It was a different breed of man who was willing to risk injury in order to serve the country.

We learned over the weekend of the passing of Jerry Coleman:

""Coleman's playing career was unspectacular:

His career batting average was .263, he had little power and he played only one season as a regular.

But that one season was impressive: As the Yankees' everyday second baseman in 1950, he played 153 games, batted .287 and was named the most valuable player in the World Series as the Yankees swept the Phillies.  

As a Marine pilot, he flew in the Pacific during World War II and was recalled to fly during the Korean War."

Coleman is probably better known to younger fans as the voice of the San Diego Padres and his work on post season radio broadcasts. I also recalled a good book about his life called "An American Journey."   It's a fun read and tells the story of a rather impressive man.

I am not knocking today's players.  However, there is something about a guy who flew wartime missions and turned the double play!

P. S. You can hear CANTO TALK here & follow me on Twitter @ scantojr.