Fill in the Blanks... Kyle Blanks, that is!

He wowed us with that in the park homerun and was the talk of the town! Kyle Blanks’ rookie year in 2009 then early 2010 has been a little up and down, but his power and potential piqued our curiosity. We started in the winter planning to do a One on One featuring this 6-foot-6 guy, who is a gentle giant. During Spring Training, photographer Jay Conner and I drove north of Phoenix to Prescott, Arizona to visit his college campus, meet his coach, and see where his professional baseball career began. You have to love baseball to start small like that, and Kyle does.

Once the Padres season began, we spent a few half-days with him at his downtown apartment: first, talking about his life story and second, cooking! He is quiet, but friendly, and very accommodating. He wanted to make sure I liked the pizza, letting me take the first taste. Along with his girlfriend Janet, and her dog Heinz, we had a couple of nice visits to learn about a guy who has great potential.

At the same time, he was struggling with an elbow injury. By the final few days of production, we talked with him about how he was feeling about that, and what might have to happen. Turns out, Tommy John surgery is the solution. So, how does that all factor in to the Padres puzzle? General Manager Jed Hoyer and Manager Bud Black share that they have great confidence in Kyle, that he will do the work required following the surgery, to get him back and ready to be the power guy at the plate that is so hard to find.

Knowing his background, and how he’s dealt with change in his past, will shed some light on how he will not only deal with this, but what he has to offer in his promising Big League career. I’m really glad we are all getting to know him now, and by continuing with the show and telling his story, it’s a good reminder that it sometimes is not an easy road in the beginning, but it is part of the game and life. That, my friends, can apply to all of us! Enjoy, and sorry you don’t get to taste the pizza. It really was good!

Heath Bell's Ah-Ha moments Beyond the Mound...

Heath Bell was so much fun to profile the first time in 2008, and with his new closer role, it was time for an update in 2010. So much had happened... I thought with the new role, the new baby, the family moving to San Diego. It wasn't until we sat down and talked and asked why things were better, that we learned how things had been challenging and he had an ah-ha moment.

Heath's an emotional guy, and not afraid to show it. I have to admire him for being honest, candid and thoughtful in sharing about his family ties and new found faith.

I don't want to give it away. Just enjoy the show... and maybe it will make you think a little about your own life and priorities, too. You also get a little look into the Miracle League... a wonderful program for kids with special needs like his daughter. As always... thanks for wathing and for your support.

For more pictures... go to my Facebook page Jane Mitchell ChannelFour "}

Jerry Jr. and Scott Hairston: Brotherly Bond in Baseball

Last year I had the pleasure of getting a history lesson from Scott Hairston. Not only is he knowledgeable about his family background, but he truly has taken it to heart. When Jerry was signed this year and Scott traded back to the Padres, it was a perfect combination and opportunity to revisit the Hairston story for the baseball players they are, as well as their lineage. By the way, the One on One from 2009 has been nominated for an Emmy for the Historical/Cultural category. We'll find out in June if it receives the award, but I'm proud that peers judging the work recognized not only the production, but the content and I thank Scott, his father Jerry and the Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City in part for helping tell and illustrate the most interesting baseball and historically significant slice of history.

This time around, we met Jerry and his family while we were in Arizona for spring training. Here is the show summary. It debuts May 21st after the Padres game and Postgame.

Family trees are important in many professions, but in baseball, there’s something intriguing when those roots set a record. Jerry Junior and Scott Hairston are among the five Hairstons who have played in the majors including their grandfather who began his career in the Negro Leagues. The Hairstons constitute the largest Major League family in history to date.

We explore Jerry and Scott’s story and discover how their lineage is a source of pride and a challenge. They grew up learning about their grandfather’s struggles during the time of segregation before being signed by the Chicago White Sox. Scott also was impressed by the challenges of his father Jerry who grew up in the south in the 60s before his 14-year major league career. Jerry has a picture when his grandfather predicted they’d be the first black three generation family in the majors, and he was right.

The family name also meant having a lot to live up to, and Scott is candid about how he had much to prove in school and in the game. Jerry has had to come back from injuries and has a World Series ring to show for his tenacity. Time at home with the Hairstons is all about baseball as they play in the backyard with their boys who could be 4th generation ballplayers.

the Dynamic Dozen goes One on One!

With the 2010 season upon us, an epic effort from over the winter is nearing completion. Yes, we are producing a one-hour special on the 2009 Little League World Series Champions from Chula Vista. It’s been a series of shoots and hours upon hours of interviews, sorting through photos and video, writing and now editing. More to come, but thought you might want to see a few of the pictures from the shoots. My associate producer Michelle Mattox shot several of these, and she’s with me in the one group shot. The boys were so much fun as well as so well mannered! These pictures capture some of the behind the scenes moments of us working and playing for what will be a very special One on TWELVE!

Mark your calendars and set your DVR for plenty of time after live Padres coverage/Postgame… Friday night April 16th and for sure the replay on Sunday April 18th at 4pm and 7:30 pm.

Jazzed 4 Spring!

You know the expression, “where did the time go?” I look at my calendar and am glad that part of my time was spent in Arizona for Spring Training with the Padres. I can’t believe I’ve been back a week already! Arriving at camp the first few days to literally hear those first sounds of spring... pitchers and catchers reporting, the pop of the glove, the crack of the bat… is how I have come to really know what month I am in. February. As beautiful and romantic as being at camp might sound, it’s also a lot of work. Good work, and the kind we’re privileged to do. I tried to keep everyone posted on Facebook about the nightly stories from camp on Postgame, so hopefully all you Padres fans are tuning in to see the rest of the Channel 4 team, too.

My first six days were spent almost connected at the hip with our Channel 4 photographer Erica Simpson. This was her first time shooting spring training, so it was fun to introduce her to the nuances of the routine. We started out by subtly trying to figure out some of the newer faces, which is much easier once they change from their work out clothes to their uniforms. Numbers and names are a welcomed assist. We also noticed we have a lot of tall guys on the pitching part of the roster, which is easier to see if you’re standing there on the side watching and videotaping their many moves.

We had chilly but nice weather, until that crazy cold, windy and rainy weekend. Brrr. But we captured their work out routine anyhow, and by Monday, it warmed up and all was right with the camp weather world again.

My last three days were spent shooting with another photographer Jay Conner. We focused on the many video images we’ll need for several One on One shows this season. More on that later, but for now, here’s a list to get you thinking!

The Park View Little League World Series Champions (1-hour show debuts April 16th after the Padres game); the Hairston brothers; Kyle Blanks; Kevin Correia; updates with Chris Young and Heath Bell. There just might be more, but that’s a start.

Pitchers and Catchers Report!

I am on my way to Peoria Arizona for my 14th Spring Training with the Padres. There is something so pretty about those words "pitchers and catchers report." I am looking forward to meeting some of the new guys, saying hello to those after their winter break, and capturing lot of sound and video for stories this week and for One on One shows this season. Be sure to stay tuned to Channel 4 San Diego each weeknight at 10pm for reports from Peoria. I'll be there a while, then Steve, Jenny and John will rotate. More later! Jane

Little and Big things... this New Year

This year once again offers the opportunity to get to know major league players, celebrate stories and learn about ourselves a little in the process.
I'm looking forward to telling the great journey of the Park View Little League All Stars who captured the 2009 Little League World Series Championship and captured our hearts. Production has already begun on this special edition of One on One that will reach beyond their story and into the history books and into the future weaving the 1961 World Champions’ story and hearing from Padres about the bigger meaning of this great achievement. That special one-hour show will debut April 16, 2010.

More on that later… but for now my wish for you is…

May you have peace in your heart and satisfaction in your work.

Jane.