Nicknamed "The Candy Man", John Candelaria, a successful major league pitcher wore the uniform for more than twenty years, won twenty games in 1977 and threw a no-hitter the same season...wait, I have the wrong "Candy Man"! The real Candy Man is actually Larry Candelaria, 49' Merc owner and valued member of the Southside Axle Draggers.
"You won't find a nicer more considerate gentleman than Larry", claims fellow Axle Dragger member Bob Carlson. "Larry is the quiet source responsible for keeping us organized and informed", said Carlson. Attend any gathering of the Axle Draggers and you will find Larry and his wonderful wife, Mary Ann. Larry is the "quiet man" with the camera around his neck. He records all of the events, feeds the images to the web site, maintains the roster and informs the entire club membership of upcoming car events.
Larry purchased his '49 Merc in 1998 during an auction in Lake Tahoe. The custom candy apple color makes his ride a guaranteed stand out at each car show he attends. Larry and Mary Ann relocated to the Southland after spending many years in Santa Clara where Larry's career was spent in management for Pac Bell over twenty five years. It was his roots in the Bay Area that led to his love of the San Francisco Giants. From childhood to this very day, this man knows his Giants...and they know him. Encouraged by Mary Ann to attend the first Giants Fantasy Camp in 1987 as a once in a lifetime experience has led to Larry putting the Giants uniform on for sixteen years competing with and against the Giants former greats! That experience has afforded him invaluable memories and friends with the greats of the game...including an invitation to throw out the first pitch at Candlestick Park prior to a Giants home game.
Now you can understand my confusion when it came to the "Candelaria's". Whether he's known as the Quiet Gentleman or Candy Man, both he and Mary Ann are without a doubt, Most Valuable Players to their many Axle Dragger friends!
In closing, if you think his athletic skills are reserved for the baseball diamond...ask him about his bowling talents.
