At Cal State Long Beach, among the buzz of scooters riding by you, chatter in the crowd and chips falling from vending machines, there’s one person amongst the noise who will bring the energy of Los Angeles sports with him wherever he goes, Garrett Bishop, a proud Latino student where LA sports isn’t just a hobby, it’s his cultural identity.
For Bishop, he was basically born in stadiums. LA sports were part of his upbringing long before he had any knowledge of what was going on other than different shaped and sized balls being thrown around. It was inevitable for him to evolve into the die-hard fan he is now.
“Growing up Latino in LA, the games became family gatherings for me,” Bishop says. “You’d hear Spanish from the kitchen, English from the TV, asada on the grill and then suddenly everything would stop when Dodgers came on.”
Some of his favorite memories revolve around the Dodgers’ biggest accomplishments, especially their championship run this year. For the Bishop family, the Dodgers winning the World Series wasn’t just a win, it was a core memory and bonding moment.
“When the Dodgers won, it was huge for us,” Garrett’s mom, Betty Bishop says. “The whole street was outside yelling. My husband and son were on the verge of tears. For Latinos in LA, the Dodgers represent more than just baseball, they represent our culture.”
Bishop believes the legacy of Latino players made the win even more meaningful.
“I wasn’t fortunate enough to watch Fernando Valenzuela play during that time, but my mom and grandpa tell me endless stories about his legacy.” Bishop says. “I love to go back and watch highlights.”
Now, there are latinos such as Kike Hernandez, Teoscar Hernandez and Miguel Rojas who are setting the stage for latino players in baseball.
“Seeing Miguel Rojas pull his weight in game seven of the World Series was dynamic,” Bishop says. “We wouldn’t have won the game without his homerun and double play. In that moment I felt a sense of pride not only in my favorite team but my culture.”
That pride follows him everywhere on campus. With over 50 jerseys, across four LA teams, Garrett’s closet looks like a Latino Sports Hall of Fame.
His connection to the city runs even deeper. Bishop and his family have been Rams season-ticket holders since 2016.
“It is very heartwarming to see how all of our family connects through sports,” Betty Bishop says.
On campus, Garrett is more than a “sports friend.” He’s the reminder that Latino culture is deeply etched into the DNA of LA sports.
“I am so proud Latino,” Garrett says. “And I love LA. When the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams or Kings win, I feel connected to my family and my city. It’s bigger than sports.”
Catch him at SoFi on a Sunday, in Dodger blue on a random Tuesday, or on campus rocking one of his 50 jerseys. Regardless, one thing is for sure, Garrett Bishop isn’t just a fan.
He is the blueprint for Latino sports culture at CSULB, and every LA win feels like a win for his community.
“Now that baseball season is over, it’s time for my Rams to pull through and make it to the Super Bowl,” Bishop says. “With fellow latino, Steve Avila on our team, there is nothing we can’t do.”
Ryla Manalang is a senior journalism major at California State University, Long Beach. Previously, the lifestyle and social media editor for Santa Ana College’s award-winning publication, her work has appeared in el Don News and has been recognized by the Associated Collegiate Press for her photography. Recently, she has contributed content pieces for LA Times Studios as a Content Strategist intern.