Only in LB: The peanut man tosses on

Long Beach

By Steve Harvey, Columnist

No Dodger Stadium performer has been astir arsenic agelong arsenic Roger (The Peanut Man) Owens, 78.

He has been tossing goobers to spectators successful the Loge conception for 63 years.

“I consciousness truthful privileged to bring happiness to people,” said Owens, who said helium tin inactive propulsion nuts “20 rows oregon so.”

“And I’ve ne'er beaned anyone,” helium added.

Owens said helium has a God-given talent. “I person adults travel up to maine and accidental they retrieve gathering maine erstwhile they were with their grandparents.”

Owens’s vocation has besides included a comedic movie relation arsenic a medieval peanut vendor successful Mel Brooks’ “Men successful Tights,” appearances connected speech shows, including Johnny Carson’s, and a biography, “Perfect Pitch” by Long Beach State grad Daniel Rosen, Owens’s precocious nephew.

Owens adjacent work “Casey astatine the Bat” astatine a Long Beach poesy festival astatine the invitation of a large fan, Tom Hennessy, the precocious columnist of the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Naturally, Owens besides has his ain bobblehead doll (see photo).

But beingness hasn’t been casual of late. Though helium hasn’t contracted peanut elbow — an occupational hazard — helium has been slowed by a sore back.

“Going up and down the stairs is tough,” helium said. When he’s location successful Torrance helium does a batch of going backmost and distant with crystal packs.

But Owens remains determined to “get utilized to the pain.”

Owens (like baseball) was unopen down during the worst of the pandemic, but helium shook disconnected the crisis.

“I couldn’t service insubstantial cutouts anyway,” helium pointed out.

Now  helium — and shot — are back, with a fewer changes. Owens, similar the different vendors, present wears a look mask. Fans wage with recognition oregon debit cards — nary cash.

And 1 happening is not changing. Owens said helium has nary plans to retire.

After all, who other could administer his“season peanut  ticket” program for fans who privation to get their peanut-buying done up of time?

One much thing: Just to get you successful the temper for Halloween, we’re sharing a changeable of a spooky bumper sticker seen connected Spring Street (see photo).

Steve Harvey tin beryllium reached astatine steveharvey.9@gmail.com and @sharvey9.