Joe Diamond and Rebeeah Patail
To stir up excitement for the 2006 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers “Community Caravan” visited Pierce College to promote the game of baseball and the importance of succeeding in school.
Closer and 2003 Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, general manager Ned Colletti, manager Grady Little, five-time all-star Nomar Garciaparra and two-time National League Manager of the Year Tommy Lasorda were among the featured participants.
Former Dodgers Ron Cey, Bobby Castillo, Eddie Murray and “Sweet” Lou Johnson were also a part of the Caravan, which was presented by US Bank.
Dodger fans camped out at Pierce’s Campus Center at least two hours prior to the event’s commencement, as only the first 100 fans in attendance would be able to receive free autographs, pictures and souvenirs.
“I was so surprised when I found out they [Dodgers] were going to be on campus,” said Frank Christian Cuentas, a 20-year-old Pierce nursing student.
“It was real cool they came here and took some time with students to sign autographs and take pictures. I really wanted to meet and get an autograph from Tommy Lasorda, but I couldn’t… I wasn’t one of the first 100 fans.”
Raffle tickets were also distributed to all fans in attendance. An animated Lasorda called out the winning numbers and winners were given Dodgers throwback jerseys or field level tickets to a home game. A Boston Red Sox fan, complete with correlating cap, won two tickets to a game.
“Here are some tickets to see a real baseball team,” said Lasorda. “The Dodgers are the only real baseball team in Los Angeles. The only Angels are in heaven.”
Five students, three from Pierce and two from the University of Southern California, showed their Dodger pride by painting Gagne on their chests and chanting “M-V-P” while he was being interviewed by sportscasters.
Another Dodger fan had his face painted in Dodger blue and silver and then won tickets to a game.
“This whole event blew me away,” said Pierce student Arya Bakshandeh, 20. “It was an honor to meet these great guys and especially the Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, I really enjoyed it.
“I got to see my favorite player and when I yelled, ‘You’re the best Lasorda,’ he looked at me and smiled. It was definitely a once in a life time opportunity,” said Bakshandeh.
“This is something that should continue to promote school and baseball.”
After an hour, the event came to an end and the players returned to the caravan, while Gagne did a 30-minute interview with Jim Rome, host of ESPN’s television show “Rome is Burning.”
Gagne, who is still rehabilitating from an elbow injury, said, “I want to be a Dodger for the rest of my life. I know that and the fans know that. This event is a good way of promoting baseball and education.”
After his interview with Rome, he was escorted to the bus by five Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies. On the way there, he was handed a bag by a fan that contained a box of macaroni.
“Plus elbows,” Gagne said, after reading the label. “The fans are amazing.