Ted Talks: Uncle Teddy’s Fond Memories, Crazy Stories and Heartfelt Reflections

By: John Freeman

Narrated by: Ted Leitner

Ted Leitner: Controversial, outrageous, and hilarious, Ted Leitner has been the enduring voice of San Diego’s sports scene since 1978. In Ted Talks, “Uncle Teddy” talks his way through his peripatetic career and often-chaotic family life, stories told with uproarious humor and heartfelt memories. Along the way, he pays lasting tribute to his dear departed friends - longtime broadcast partner Jerry Coleman, the Padres’ Tony Gwynn, and the Chargers’ Junior Seau.

Ted Talks includes “Voices", a collection of first-person anecdotes from athletes, coaches, and media personalities who’ve known him, worked alongside him, and truly cherish what he’s meant to San Diego over his clamorous four-decade career that’s been like no other. By turns introspective, surprising and revealing, Ted Talks tells Uncle Teddy’s story - and there are plenty of stories to be told.

Ted Leitner spent 41 seasons as the play-by-play voice of the San Diego Padres and 25 years as the radio voice of football and basketball for the San Diego State University Aztecs, which continues into 2021-2022. Following the pandemic-shortened baseball season of 2020, Leitner retired from the broadcast booth and was appointed Ambassador of the San Diego Padres by team owner and chairman Peter Seidler. During his on-air career, Leitner also spent 25 years (1978-2002) as sports anchor and commentator on CBS 8, and as a talk-show host and sports humorist on KFMB-AM Radio.

In addition to the Padres and Aztecs, his play-by-play credits include the NFL's San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, the NBA's San Diego Clippers, as well as the University of Oklahoma and the University of Connecticut. Prior to coming to San Diego in 1978, Leitner was a TV sports personality in Oklahoma City, Hartford, and Philadelphia.

©2021 John Freeman (P)2022 John Freeman

San Diego's Sports Personality Has Lots To Say

Ted is a great storyteller. Knowing that, I waited for the Audible version with his voice and wasn't disappointed.

The chapters are short and our narrator keeps it moving, as does the principle writer the talented John Freeman. We learn about Ted's rocky upbringing and loving mother. We get lots and lots of Jerry Coleman stories and first hand accounts of Ted's interactions with the local athletes who have come and gone in the last 30 years.

There's some regrets about family and not always being the nicest colleague, and a fun tale of his move from Philly to San Diego and some of the veering from sports that is part of his makeup. Ted isn't shy about crediting those responsible for his success.

What we don't get is anything much about his wives - that's fine, but it's been part of his schtick - his thoughts on the litany of Padres ownership and, most disappointing, very, very little on the behind the scenes at News 8 during days of complete station domination. Ted left the station seemingly abruptly, eschewing the week long parade of highlight, congratulations and reminiscing that would have been widely enjoyed by his fans - including me.

All that said, it again is a really fun, entertaining and sports informative listen. With the fractured nature of sports reporting today, we may never see his likes again. So glad I bought it from Audible and listened.

Thank you, Ted. Thank you.