IN DEPTH PERSONAL PROFILES
In-depth personal profiles of Padres, Chargers and other San Diego sports stars - past, present and future. In its twelfth season, the award-winning signature series One on One with Jane Mitchell once again takes viewers inside the hearts, minds and family scrapbooks of intriguing San Diego sports figures. One on One segments will often first appear on the Honda Dealers Pregame Show, with expanded versions showcased in the half-hour program.
One on One with Jane Mitchell featuring Mark Merila
"I just wanted to be the guy they can trust every time."
He's one of the most remarkable Padres ever. Not for his batting average or fielding percentage – he’s never played in a regular season major league game. And not for what might have been – a college All-American second baseman with a bright baseball future. But after hearing about his journey, you’ll understand how seizing one unexpected opportunity early on, eventually led to his being in the right place at a very bad time. A place where his extended family has given him a chance to fight for his life… and a chance to live an unusual version of his Major League dream.
In this very special edition of One on One with Jane Mitchell, Jane explores the life of a kid from Minnesota who’s long crouched behind the plate for Trevor Hoffman as he prepared for most of his career saves on his way to the Hall of Fame.
Merila survived when his brain tumor reared its ugly head again in 2005, and has been battling and winning, with an army of family, friends, faith, doctors and his team since he was drafted in 1994 -- the San Diego Padres.
Hear from his doctors, see him making progress in physical therapy and as a loving father with his supportive family, and feel the emotion that he and his teammates have about this frightening yet inspiring journey. It's a program that puts life, love and baseball in perspective. From the perspective of someone feeling so blessed when his health – and time -- have not always been on his side.
* pronounced “MAIR-i-lah”