Almost one month ago it was reported by Jerry Crowe at the L.A. Times that “concessionaire and kibitzer extraordinaire” Richard “Nuts!” Aller sold his last bag of peanuts at Dodger Stadium and retired after “49 seasons on the job.”

Aller, who according to the L.A. Times, started working for the Dodgers when he was just 15 years old, and that over time, between working as a Compton High social studies instructor and as a stadium vendor, he developed a Don Rickles style of playful insult routine, often acting like a self-proclaimed “absolute nut.” Aller also called himself the “illiterate peanut vendor” and stated he worked 8,000 events throughout Southern California.

8,000?? That really is a formidable accomplishment, if true.

Come to think of it, that would be worth mentioning to Roger. As one who will be celebrating his 50th anniversary next year with the Dodgers, Roger would be able to shed light on that. He himself has worked about 4,500 events in 49 years.

Well, Richard Aller, if that is so, then you have put in nearly double the events, including all of Roger’s trips to Japan, Dallas, Texas, Louisiana, the Angels’ first expansion games in L.A. during the 1960’s, hockey games, boxing matches, Rams, USC and UCLA football games, L.A. Clipper home games, and 81 home games a year with the Dodgers for nearly 50 years.

In any case, The Peanut Gallery raises up a bag of peanuts and salutes you for your hard work and showmanship over these many years. Dodger Stadium is a place full of warm memories, and silly ones, too, thanks to the many traditions there, like yours.

In fact, one Dodger fan’s encounter with “Nuts!” Aller was recounted in a blog, 7th & Fig. at 10minutesaway.blogspot.com.

From his entry, “Just Your AVERAGE Charly,” he writes:

“…While baseball may not be my favorite sport, the atmosphere in a stadium with so much tradition and history as Dodgers Stadium has a level of energy that draws you in and takes you to the days of long summers and worrying about homework. As I walked down the field level concourse, a peanut vendor, whom I have gotten to know over the years came up to me and greeted me warmly. I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself. He said, I’ve been here for the last 49 years and today is my last day. His eyes were red from crying. do you know that short Asian man that sits down in this aisle? He asked me. I really didn’t feel like telling him I didn’t so I simply nodded my head. Well he came up to me and brought me a roast beef sandwich from Cantor’s deli. I just burst into tears when he gave it to me. It is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. I’m still crying. I spoke to the old vendor for a bit longer congratulating him before he ran off to tell his story to someone else. The next day someone had told me that he was interviewed by famous Dodger announcer, Vin Scully and it was played over the Jumbo screen. He received an ovation from the crowd and I’m sure the tears were flowing all weekend. It’s amazing to meet people like that. I think that the people I have met over the years have been an incredible blessing. While most people obsess over celebrity sightings and their actions (and I see many), LA is an incredible city because of the stories of its people rather than those produced by its industry. There are days that seem surreal. And while you may find me at the Farmer’s Market in the early mornings waiting for the first apple fritters to come out of the oven at Bob’s or jumping on the early train to San Juan Capistrano for some tortas at El Campeon everyday brings the promise of new adventure. May your life be extraordinary whoever you are!”

Wonderfully said.

Actually, that entry very much reminded me of a little weekend visit on the pier at Seal Beach with my fiancée earlier this summer.

We were enjoying the sunset and savoring the idea of grabbing a frozen yogurt for herself and a 1 oz. serving of wheatgrass for myself on Main St. when an elderly gentleman and an elderly woman slowly drew closer, strolling together in harmony, and steadily maneuvering with their walkers towards a park bench next to us. The lady’s younger son prodded them for a number of good photo opportunities closer to the pier and in better light. As they came closer to us to pose and smile, we decided the pair must have been in their 80’s or early 90’s.

It was even more charming to see a red Valentine pillow, with white lace along its heart-shaped contour. We smiled with ease and thought for sure the two were celebrating a record-breaking wedding anniversary.

I couldn’t hold it in and asked them if they were celebrating their anniversary, and to our astonishment, they said no. They were just friends. Obviously, some things never go out of style. It was quite amusing. The elderly gentleman, eager to leave his Long Beach nursing home for some fresh air and a stroll, was a lady’s man even at that age, and we loved it.

Before we left, after gladly taking a few photos for them so her son could be in them, the elderly man came up to me, standing over us with his black ballcap embroidered with the logo of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, as we sat on the bench. He introduced himself as Wally Cox, the famous “Mr. Peepers” and asked if we had ever heard of him. We hadn’t but I shook his hands with enthusiasm nevertheless. I told them my grand uncle was singer and songwriter, Jack Owens, and they replied simultaneously, “Ahh, Jack Owens. Yeah we know him.” It was such a fun moment.

Now interestingly enough, countless websites say that Wally Cox passed on more than 30 years ago, was a good friend of Marlon Brando, and was quite a lady’s man. Well, we can’t verify that man was good ol’ “Mr. Peepers,” but he said he was Wally Cox, and had the reputation to prove it that sunny day.

Looking back, after reading that blog on Richard Aller, it reminded me how there are people out there who enjoy entertaining others but sometimes have been overlooked or long forgotten, and all they want is nothing more than a bit of warmth and recognition, or someone who will pay to attention to what they did for many years.