The party was held in the Loge Terrace near the team's offices in the left field corner, with several members of Garciaparra's family on hand including his wife, former soccer star Mia Hamm, and the couple's 2›-month-old twins.

The event was limited to 250 fans, with proceeds going to the Dodger Dream Foundation, the Dodgers' official charity. Fans were charged $60 for a game ticket and the party, or $50 for just the party. The Dodgers said it sold out almost immediately after it was announced.

The party, presented by Cacique, included live music from Mariachi Guadalajara Grill of Baldwin Park, along with food and drinks. Each person attending received an autographed photograph of Garciaparra.

"It brings back something from my childhood — you get together with the family on Sundays, you go to the park and have a barbecue and have carne asada, a little mariachi music playing in the background," Garciaparra said. "I have family, extended relatives and stuff. Actually, I have one aunt and uncle who have 13 kids, and they do it every Sunday.

"So I thought, what a great thing, coming to a beautiful place like Dodger Stadium and give the fans a chance to do that and kind of relax and gives us a chance to mingle with the fans and sign autographs. So that's what we did. And the great thing is we were able to raise money, too."

Garciaparra joined the Dodgers before the 2006 season.

"This is great — the Dream Foundation is all about charity, and the food's great," said 37-year-old Stephen Sotelo, who like Garciaparra is from Whittier, and owns a Mexican Deli in East Los Angeles.

"I've been a fan of Nomar's since 1997 — all the way through the Red Sox years and the Cubs' year and a half to my dream come true as Dodger Blue," Sotelo said..

Like many at the party, Sotelo wore a Garciaparra jersey No. 5, and also held a license plate reading: "NOMRFN5."