In the last entry, Submitted For Your Approval, I stated:

You’d be hard pressed to find any other “peanut man” in American history besides Roger who’s sold peanuts in one location for nearly 30 years or more.

Evidently, my clothes now have that fresh from the drycleaner feeling. Clean, warm, and definitely hard pressed, because I found out some information to the contrary, and rather easily at that. So before you are taken to the cleaners by my last entry, let’s set the stage and travel to that other dimension once again…

One Peanut Man, Two Peanut Men,
Three Peanut Men, Four,
How Many Peanut Shells Can We Count On The Floor??:

There is probably a handful of peanut vendors nationwide who have worked at one location or venue for nearly 30 years or more. That group would include, for example, Dodger Stadium long-time vendor, Mort Rose. But in many cases, these peanut vendors have also switched to selling other items to make a dollar. So in reality, one could argue for or against their role in history as a peanut vendor selling peanuts consistently in the same location, depending on how you looked at it.

But you could say the same thing for good old peanut man from Washington D.C., “Steve” Nicholas Stephanos Vasilakos as also mentioned in the previous entry. He sold popcorn in addition to peanuts at his peanut cart. And it was popcorn that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt stopped by to purchase from ”Steve” on that sunny day 73 years ago.

And furthermore, for your enjoyment, I found another TIME article from Feb. 12, 1934, but this time, it’s a section for reader feedback to the original about Vasilakos. Note the first reader’s opinion and his generous dose of political cynicism. Perhaps that individual later changed his surname from Benway to Limbaugh.

So how does Roger measure up to all these other vendors, or vice versa??

Well, to say a peanut vendor has sold peanuts in the same location for approximately 30 years or longer, that’s in itself an accomplishment. But what makes that so special?? For starters, it’s the consistency of doing something that seems unimportant, silly, or trivial, but has the potential to bring enjoyment or nourishment for others. And to find a place to do it at where people come to recoginize the individual over a number of decades is also not such an easy task.

So in all of this, we applaude all peanut vendors who have done it consistently for 30 years or more, but even more so the vendor entertainers, like Roger and one other individual in particular.

The Peanut Man Goes To Chicago, Part I:

Let’s first not forget we’ve journeyed to the Twilight Zone for this entry like we did in the last one, and in this other strange dimension, we’ll find there’s not only the Dodger Peanut Man, but the Peanut Man ”Dodger.”

In asserting a clarification to my point about peanut vendors, I found out that one such peanut vendor has remarkably sold peanuts and entertained customers, drivers, and onlookers for 46 years in one location, in the midst of a busy intersection of Grant St. and 25th Ave. in downtown Chicago. I’d say that would make him a ”dodger” and a pretty good one, too.

According to Post-Tribune article from Jan. 14, 2007, peanut man, Joe Mays, at 76 still finds ways to bring a smile to those who catch his act and his peanuts, and in doing so, has caught the attention of Mayor Rudy Clay. It seems the mayor authorized a street sign to be named Joe Mays Corner. Mays not only sells peanuts, he puts on a show with acrobatics, peanut bag juggling with super-sized clown shoes, all in the busy intersection.  In addition to his 46 years, which he has done consistently nearly every day, he performed many show benefits for the community, and with Bozo the Clown, and during Harlem Globetrotters’ halftime shows, and that’s saying something if you’re the Globetrotters’ pick for halftime antics.

The Peanut Man Goes To Chicago, Part II:

Mays, also known for tossing peanut bags into the rolled down windows of passing cars he deems as going too fast, is the eldest of eight kids, and is the “attention-getter of the group.”

It just so happens another entertaining peanut man, a Dodger for a different reason, also the eldest of eight kids (until a ninth sibling was born many years later), and also known as the “attention-getter of the group,” Roger Owens tossed peanut bags into passing cars with the windows down while touring America as the National Peanut Advisory Board’s official spokesperson in 1981.

And where exactly did he toss those peanuts into open car windows??

Downtown Chicago, of course.

Cue “The Twilight Zone” theme.

Roll the cascade of distant stars.

Rod Serling’s famous line of the opening scenes often signaled the sunlit horizon of a new day. But this solar facade only served to distract, as this same light that radiated brightly with promise, also cast long shadows made up of black holes filled with eerie new tales and parallel worlds, all of which were many degrees colder than the safe harbor of land just inches away.

Or, sometimes, they were just nutty stories of history and coincidence.

Kinda like these…

In one of this site’s first blog entries, Nutty Ain’t It??, I mentioned a few interesting facts about Roger and some of his experiences. But lately, I found some new peculiar facts about the connection of peanuts and Washington D.C., “submitted for your approval,” of course.

The Peanut Man Goes To Washington, Part I:

You’d be hard pressed to find any other “peanut man” in American history besides Roger who’s sold peanuts in one location for nearly 30 years or more.

For Roger, it’s been nearly 50 years since he first started as a vendor, trying to find extra grocery money for his struggling family. In 1959, he made it to the top of the vending chain and first began selling peanuts for the Dodgers in the Coliseum. And, when the Dodgers moved into Dodger Stadium in 1962, Roger was there, too, and trick-tossing peanut bags to delighted and amazed fans ever since.

However, according to TIME article, “Peanut Man,” from Jan. 29, 1934, it was another “peanut man” who made headlines in a Washington newspaper.

The article begins with the news of an old-timer who set up his peanut vendor cart everyday at the same spot for 28 years, at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and East Executive Avenue. The peanut man, Nicholas Stephanos Vasilakos, had scribbled his own press release for the Evening Star newspaper, obviously proud that First Lady Roosevelt had recently stopped by for a snack. The same newspaper had also published reports that Vasilakos and his peanut cart should be removed due to obstruction of traffic, but with some intervention from the Oval Office, the cart stayed put.

The Peanut Man Goes To Washington, Part II:

It was exactly 43 years later from the TIME article, (note: George Washington Carver, the original Peanut Man, passed away in 1943, and the famed Dodger Peanut Man Roger Owens, was born in 1943) to when Roger himself went to Washington D.C. in 1977 for Pres. Jimmy Carter’s Inaugural Parties.  The Washington Star newspaper noted Owens’ arrival and showmanship at the parties.

And, should you be curious, the Evening Star eventually changed its name to…the Washington Star.

Kissinger’s “Salted Peanuts”:

We have obviously trekked off the beaten path a bit for this one, but worth a mention.

From the National Security Archive comes mention of Henry Kissinger’s memo to President Nixon in Sept., 1969 that troop withdrawals from Vietnam would have been like “salted peanuts” to Americans, noting the potential of becoming addicted to them.

How does that relate to Roger?? In Sept., 1969, Roger was officially released from the care of the U.S. Naval Hospital and attending physician, Dr. Victor Schorn. Roger was able to finally go home after enduring a life-threating jeep accident while on duty with the California National Guard.

Dr. Schorn, who saved Roger’s life, also happened to be the personal neurosurgeon of Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson.

So, there you have them. Just a few odd connections of peanuts and Washington D.C.
Just keep in mind, if you see that signpost up ahead, your next stop is…

Fifteen minutes.

That’s all it took vaudeville entertainer and songwriter, Jack Norworth, to write down his original lyrics of Take Me Out To The Ball Game on a scrap piece of paper while en route to Manhattan, New York by train in 1908, according to Baseball Almanac.

(By the way, take a quick listen to the different versions of Take Me Out To The Ball Game. My favorites from these are the traditional version, band version, mandolin version, and the orchestral version.)

Now, nearly 100 years later, it seems that those treasured words, scribbled on that fateful scrap piece of paper will itself need to be “scrapped” in order to squeeze in a touch of one of today’s technological advancements that could possibly find its way even into the grand game of baseball…genetically engineered peanuts.

Sure, Take Me Out To The Ball Game might not be the Gettysburg Address, also scribbled on a scrap piece of paper by Abraham Lincoln on a train ride to Gettysburg in November, 1863, 45 years earlier, but to millions of baseball fans, the song could give the speech a run for its money.

But for my money, I’d go with the real possibility that genetically engineered peanuts could show up at ballparks by the time today’s pre-teens are tomorrow’s first round draft picks.

According to an article by the Associated Press from Dec. 26, 2006, scientists have been given the go-ahead to create genetically engineered peanuts. They could be safer (for those who are allergic), easier to grow, and more nutritious.

So, if a re-write of the national past time’s signature song is in order, it’ll probably take more than 15 minutes.

And alot more than 15 minutes to catch on.

———-
Thanks to Roger’s friend Ernie Montano for sending along the article. 

Ya know, that just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Sunflower seeds might have their place in baseball, or more specifically, in the dugout, and seeds might even find a home in an outfielder’s back pocket, placed snugly beneath a stuffed pair of well-worn batting gloves.

But, sunflower seeds a part of Roger’s trick-tossing arsenal??

Well, according to an article from about 11 years ago, in the August 1995 issue of the Sunflower Magazine, published by the National Sunflower Association, Roger Owens was known for his amazing abilities of trick-tossed bags of…sunflower seeds.

Sunflower seeds??

Shh-yeah, and Santa Claus was also known then for his penchant for using the front door instead of chimneys, with believing children leaving Old Saint Nick a note along side a plate full of soda crackers and prune juice. There are facts and there are legends, and sometimes they coincide. But mistaking facts only leads to a mistaken legend.

Afterall, everyone knows walking under coal means you have to kiss someone, and fruit cake goes in stockings for those who’ve been bad . And mistletoe?? Come on, that’s easy. That’s what gets tossed over the bride’s shoulders at weddings.

Isn’t it??

Although I still have quite a way to go in re-designing Roger’s website, I would like to, at some point, include a timeline of his achievements. I’m debating whether or not to include references to historical events in the world to give added perspective, something a typical timeline would include, or just use mp3 songs for you to download and listen, to give a sense of historical perspective through the popular music of the time.

So I thought I’d give you an idea of the range of songs I might include if I did create a timeline like that, by serving some up here at The Peanut Gallery. And the songs would be based on the kind Roger would like, and those I think would be fun for one reason or another. I love history and music of all kinds and eras, so expect some selections you might not have, well, expected.

For those curious enough about Roger’s taste in music, his favorite artists and songs are rooted in, but certainly not limited to, many of the 1950’s and 1960’s songs he heard while growing up.

The timeline would give you, for example, a sense of where Roger was living with his family, or what goals he was reaching as a younger vendor at the Coliseum. And songs such as these would serve as a soundtrack to those days of years gone by…

1948 The Sportsmen & Mel Blanc The Woody Woodpecker Song (a nutty one, but good for a laugh. I told you I was gonna add something “out there” for one reason or another) - Roger was 5 years old when the Woody Woodpecker cartoons were gaining popularity. Even by then, Roger was already the big brother, with three sisters and one brother to watch over. The Owens family, including a set of fraternal twins, was growing at the speed of Woody’s bursting trademark giggle.

1956 Elvis Presley Heartbreak Hotel - Roger was 13, and he and his family had been recently united.  (NOTE: if you haven’t read “The Perfect Pitch” and would like to read it without knowing many of the facts of his biography, I suggest you scroll further to keep from finding out ahead of time. If you already have read it or don’t mind, then keep reading.)

They were united after being in foster homes for three years, while his dad, Rev. Ross Owens worked to bring them together eventually, and his mother, Mary tried to recover from her mental breakdown in 1953. She wouldn’t rejoin the family permanently until about 1960. But Roger was discovering Elvis for the first time, thanks to a neighbor boy who had an impressive collection of 45’s, gifts provided by his father.

1959 Coasters Along Came Jones - Roger was 16, and by this point, he had already found work as a soda vendor the previous year at the L.A. Coliseum at Dodger home games.  With the Dodgers themselves fresh from their historic move from Brooklyn, Roger couldn’t have been more excited having worked his way up to selling peanuts by the end of 1959. Hearing another silly song by the Coasters with his friend only made that year another one to cherish.

1961 Ricky Nelson Travelin’ Man - Roger was 18 and prepared to make the move, along with the entire Dodger team, to a new place to sell peanuts and play ball, a place called Dodger Stadium. With the smell of fresh cut grass of the new ballpark somehow calling him in his dreams, Roger couldn’t wait until the following year and the grand opening of the stadium, much like Ricky Nelson’s Travelin’ Man, who couldn’t wait to visit his “pretty Polynesian baby over the sea.”

The other day I found a YouTube video of Will Ferrell’s Apple Switch IPod commercial. It must be somewhat new, but I haven’t seen it on TV. Anyways, I thought it was funny, but in his lines, either scripted or ad-libbed knowing Will, he mentions that he “sells them at Dodger games, kinda like how they sell hot dogs.” I had to watch it again and again, each time a little bit more tickled that he would mention anything about selling anything at Dodger games.

The reason for this is because countless people have said “The Perfect Pitch” should be adapted into a movie. It has everything a movie should have, comedy, love, history, action, drama, miracles, success, rags to riches, tragedy, obstacles to overcome, family, love of dogs, and addresses such issues as foster home abuse, mental health, poverty, and throw in a cool soundtrack including Jack Owens’ crooner 30’s and 40’s period music, and you have a movie I’d be more than happy to pay $10 for, or whatever the ridiculous movie ticket prices are these days.

So have a look at the IPod commercial, and then have a look at these photos of Roger from the 1970’s (photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4)when his career really took off, and then compare them to this promotional poster photo from Will’s latest movie, Talladega Nights, The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

The resemblance is about as uncanny as a double-bag toss from Roger to two different Dodger fans from 20 seats away.

Well, I can’t say for sure all the flavors Archie’s Ice Cream cart or truck has onboard, or if Archie even has Cookie Dough ice cream at all, but I can tell you that his ice cream wanderings throughout the Los Angeles and Hollywood area produce both frozen treats and warm smiles because Archie’s Ice Cream has started an online gallery of photos taken of rock stars, celebrities, and sports celebrities side by side with Archie’s ice cream cart or truck. The celebrities sign the cart and have their photo taken.

It seems as though Archie takes his refreshing and “say-cheesy” road show to different events and catches up with the notables, and with his Archie’s Angels, he’s able to dish out some ice cream as well as some funny and interesting photos.

Archie’s Ice Cream even managed to catch up with Roger, although I’d have to ask Roger if the photo was taken outside Dodger Stadium or at some other event.

I’m curious as to the names of the ice cream flavors in a town like Hollywood. Any ideas??

I was looking through the Los Angeles Dodger Message Board and found a bunch of comments about Roger. I’ve put them in order from oldest to most recent. I’ve also included the original forum thread. Enjoy!!

From dodgerlodger - 6/11/2002 5:52 pm - Full Thread
As far as I’m concerned, there are only two people who deserve the nickname “Roger the Dodger.” The first is Roger Owens and the second is Roger McDowell.

From BigBlaster - 6/12/2002 10:46 am - Full Thread
Roger Owens should get “Roger the Dodger emeritus” status, and McDowell was certainly a favorite (and yes, Craig was a Roger and a Dodger, too.) Trust me: If, while still a viable pitcher, by some miracle Roger Clemens were to join the team, he’d be called “Roger the Dodger” in milliseconds.

From bluetide2112 - 1/27/2004 5:41 pm - Full Thread
That peanut vendor you speak of is none other than Roger “Peanut Man” Owens, a stadium legend since 1962.

From Squad 51 - 9/23/2004 3:25 pm - Full Thread
Roger Owens is probably the most famous peanut vendor in the world. He has been long-tossing bags of nuts on the Loge Level in Chavez Ravine for somethiing like 30 years. He even has a new biography out. There’s a link to it in the recommended reading list here - toward the bottom of the page: http://www.ballparktour.com/Dodger_Stadium.html

From uscdodger32 - 5/31/2005 11:32 pm - Full Thread
His name is Roger Owens. He still works at the ballpark, I think on the first base field level. Been with the Dodgers since the Colliseum days. There’s a book out about him.

From bluebleeder81 - 9/18/2005 12:59 pm - Full Thread
you said >>>peanuts from roger owens the world famous peanut man<<<
I've never seen him miss & I've seen him throw those peanuts from WORLD RECORD DISTANCES!! GO DODGERS!

From mikensfv - 2/15/2006 10:41 pm - Full Thread
It’s 1992. I’m at the Ravine, we are about 85 losses on the way to 99, and I realize I can’t give these last season tix away. Then it happens bottom of the 5th I come back to my seats complaining about the overpriced beer and how Arthurs food was so much better, and I forgot my Peanuts! I stand up and Yell at Roger Owens, who had already passed my section “Hey Roger, I missed ya and need my Peanuts” . He steps into one of many empty rows and fires a double bag 1 and a half sections across 4 rows up. whizzing behind a straw hatted attendent who had just moved up the stairs for the start of the Inning. Perfect Strike!!!!!!! That was “THE THROW I WILL NEVER FORGET!!” 

From 25yrssince81 - 2/17/2006 12:45 am - Full Thread
My 81 year old mother caught a Roger Owens peanut bag toss last season. That was a throw AND a catch to not forget.

George Washington Carver, the brilliant argricultural chemist, and also known as the original “Peanut Man” and the “Wizard of Tuskegee,” had left behind a legacy of finding hundreds of ways to use the sweet potato and the peanut when Carver himself passed away about a month before Roger was born that same year - in 1943.

When Roger was invited to former Pres. Jimmy Carter’s Inaugural parties in 1977, the Washington Star newspaper noted with an appropriate headline the following day, “Two Peanut Men in Town, Carter Who Grows ‘Em, and Owens Who Throws ‘Em.”

However, Roger wasn’t allowed to toss the bags of peanuts directly at the president at one party in particular. A secret serviceman grabbed hold of Roger’s arm in mid-toss and said,”Roger, we know who you are, and we know why you are here, but have those peanut bags been x-rayed?” to which Roger replied that no they weren’t, obviously. So the secret serviceman didn’t allow the peanuts to be tossed to Pres. Carter, citing that they “cannot allow any missiles to be thrown at the President.” Carter never noticed Roger at all that night but finally got that presidential peanut pitch nearly 20 years later when the Dodgers donated food and drinks to Carter’s Habitat For Humanity, allowing Roger to meet Carter for the first time, and finally having the “ok” to toss him the peanuts.

Roger’s film and TV acting career have spanned nearly 40 years. How many actors can say that?? Then again, his total on screen time probably amounts to more like 40 seconds. His first role was an extra in the 1968 movie “The Split” starring Jim Brown, Ernest Borgnine, and Gene Hackman, among other well known actors. Owens also appeared in the 1977 epic mini-series, “Testimony of Two Men.” He appeared in couple of sitcoms in the 1980’s and 1990’s, including “227″ and “The Drew Carey Show.” He also is set to appear in the Disney Channel show, “The Suite Life With Zack & Cody.”

But the biggest role he ever landed is the role specifically created just for him by comedy legend, Mel Brooks, in Brooks’ classic 1993 spoof, “Robin Hood: Men In Tights.”