Honoring a local hero

By John Denny

The Clackamas Review, Jul 12, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Derrel Hewett / Clackamas Review

Jonah Nickerson addresses a hometown crowd.

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OREGON CITY – Oregon City’s Jonah Nickerson learned first hand last Friday that the citizentry of Oregon City does indeed view him as their hometown hero.

Citizens turned out in force Friday at noon in a rally for Nickerson, celebrating his role in bringing Oregon State University’s baseball team a national title, and his being honored as the 2006 College Baseball World Series Most Outstanding Player. From government officials, youth baseball and softball players, Beaver fans, former coaches and teachers, and family, a crowd of several hundred people was there to greet Nickerson, as he arrived at the rally by police and fired department escort.

Young ball players serenaded Nickerson with a rousing chorus of “Take me out to the ball game” upon his arrival at Danielson’s for the rally.

Mayor Alice Norris honored the 2003 Oregon City High School graduate with the keys to the city and proclaimed July 7 as Jonah Nickerson Day, urging all citizens to wear baseball caps for the day in honor of their “hometown hero.”

“People ask me, ‘What does [the key to the city] open?,’” said Norris. “It’s the key to the hearts of the citizens of Oregon City.”

Norris said that it’s only the 15th time that the city of Oregon City has honored an individual with the keys to the city, and “to the best of my knowledge, it’s the first time a local resident has been so honored.”

Norris said that senator Mark Hatfield, vice-president George Bush and the 1982 Miss America were among only 14 others who have received the honor.

Nickerson received letters of congratulation from U.S. Congressmen Earl Blumenauer and Darlene Hooley.

Blumenauer’s letter read: “As an Oregonian and a baseball fan, I am writing to congratulate you and Oregon State University on a fantastic season, culminating in a National Title.

“Your outstanding performance in Game 3 of the Championship Series and three starts in eight days make you well deserving of the most outstanding player award.

“You and your team displayed great heart throughout the College World Series. I was astonished by the poise you showed in winning six elimination games, and rallying from a five-run deficit in game two.

“I have no doubt you will go on to great things in baseball and beyond. I wish you the best in the [Detroit] Tigers’ organization and once again congratulate you on bringing a national title to Oregon.”

J.J. Winkle, who coached Nickerson at Oregon City High School, said, “Wow! What a fantastic performance! But it was no surprise to me. He’s been performing like that since sixth grade.”

Winkle told of a conversation with his former player the morning of the national championship game: “I was a lot more nervous than he was. I told Jonah he was pitching for the national championship and he said, ‘Don’t worry coach. It’s just another ball game.’”

Longtime Oregon City coach and educator Ed Burton remarked: “What an outstanding role model. Jonah was an outstanding student and a good citizen in high school, and he hasn’t changed.”

Long on appreciation but short on words, Nickerson told the gathering: “I just want to say what an honor it is to be here today. Without you guys, none of this would be possible. I talked to J.J. on the phone every day and he said the people back here were going crazy. I just want to let you know the support meant a lot to us. I’m proud to be an Oregon City native.”

Nickerson then spent the next hour and a half signing autographs for hundreds of fans.

And those gathered couldn’t have been more proud of their hometown hero.

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