The Trolley Dodger

When we missed Nomar’s Carne Asada Sunday last season, I was determined to buy tickets this year before they vanished. Luckily, it worked out, and today was the day.

First of all, the Dodgers beat the Indians, so we were already in a good mood. But whatever the final score of the game, the food was surprisingly tasty, and the buffet lines seemed to move along apace with few delays– rice and beans, carne asada tacos, quesadillas, various condiments.

Water, juice, and soda were gratis (with harder beverages available for purchase) which was a blessing considering the heat. It was a hot day out on the Loge Terrace, but there was shade to be found, and the excellent and entertaining mariachi band kept everybody distracted. I only caught that they were from Bellflower, so I’ll try to track down their name later.

Once Nomar appeared, everything ground to a halt while he welcomed the crowd, but even a superstar can only distract people for so long from good food. ;)

He got pulled aside for a TV interview, but then wound up standing in the hot sun for a long time, giving all 250 fans and others the opportunity for a photo with him, including all of us:

Trolley Dodger and Nomar. Everybody got one of those manila envelopes with a cool autographed photo.

Nomar and Mrs. Trolley Dodger, aka Denyse. :)

Nomar and my stepson, Hans.

Nomar and Hans’s friend Jason, who has been a huge fan of Nomar’s since he was a kid — we treated him to the day as a 21st birthday present. I don’t think he stopped smiling all day. :)

I was happy to see the mariachi band got fed as well. :)

And speaking of the band, here they are posing with the host.

After all the photo opps, interviews, and whatnot, Nomar finally got to get his own plate of food (accompanied by a gaggle of pro and amateur photographers taking pictures of him serving) then at last join some folks who I believe were family members.

I was struck especially by two images that I didn’t take pictures of:

First was an older woman approaching for her photo with Nomar, asking how he was feeling and telling him they had been praying for him.

Next was just before I walked up for my photo. Denyse had stepped aside, and a little boy ran up, seemingly worried. Nomar bent over to greet him. The little one said, “We have to leave now!” Nomar told him, “that’s okay, buddy,” then gave him a big hug and posed with him for photos.

Anyhow, thanks to Nomar and the Dodgers for putting on this charity event. It was a blast, with a lot of families attending, lending the afternoon a casual party atmosphere. Everything seemed to go smoothly and without a hitch.