This is the latest post for an ongoing media project — SoCal Sports History 101: The Prime Numbers from 00 to 99 that Uniformly, Uniquely and Unapologetically Reveal The Narrative of Our Region’s Athletic Heritage. Pick a number and highlight an athlete — person, place or thing — most obviously connected to it by fame and fortune, someone who isn’t so obvious, and then take a deeper dive into the most interesting story tied to it. It’s a combination of star power, achievement, longevity, notoriety, and, above all, what makes that athlete so Southern California. Quirkiness and notoriety factor in. And it should open itself to more discussion and debate — which is what sports is best at doing.
The most obvious choices for No. 60:
= Hardiman Cureton: UCLA football
= Clay Matthews Jr.: USC football
= Dennis Harrah: Los Angeles Rams
The not-so-obvious choices for No. 60:
= Chin-Lung Hu: Los Angeles Dodgers
= Andrew Toles: Los Angeles Dodgers
The most interesting story for No. 60:
Andrew Toles: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder (2016 to 2018)
Southern California map pinpoints:
Dodger Stadium
Years after his last MLB game, without much hope that he’ll ever play again, Andrew Toles remains more than just in the Dodgers’ hearts and minds. He has what appears to be a contract that keeps him connected with them.
Every year since 2019, the Dodgers, without much attention, let it be known they have retained the outfielder and lead-off hitter as a contracted employee. Without pay. On the restricted list. It was reported that renewed that deal again in March, 2024.
The media makes it appear this happens to guarantee Toles’ health insurance as he continues to deal with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. There’s more to it. It’s there as well to give Toles comfort in that, should he find a way to live with this condition, he will have the psychological approach to this that the team has kept him close to its heart, and he’s still in the process of making a comeback.
If the team doesn’t renew the agreement, there is fear Toles may discover as much go back down a dark hole.
Continue reading “No. 60: Andrew Toles”
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