Five-year-old Hudson Howell asks for and receives a hug from Rockies baseball player Nolan Arenado in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Arenado was at a ceremony naming a street after him at the Lake Forest Sports Park. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Rockies baseball player and Lake Forest native Nolan Arenado has a street named in his honor at the Lake Forest Sports Park. The naming ceremony was in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, February 8, 2020. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Rockies baseball player and Lake Forest native Nolan Arenado takes part in his street-naming dedication at the Lake Forest Sports Park in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Arenado signed baseballs for Little Leaguers who attended the ceremony. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Cousins Morgan Nilon, 3, left, and Greyson Palermo, 6, leave the field after getting an autograph from Rockies baseball player and Lake Forest native Nolan Arenado. Arenado was in town for a ceremony naming a street after him at the Lake Forest Sports Park in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, February 8, 2020. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Little Leaguers line up for Rockies baseball player Nolan Arenado’s autograph in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Arenado was at a ceremony naming a street after him at the Lake Forest Sports Park. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Jackson Benefield, 7, gets an autograph from Rockies baseball player and Lake Forest native Nolan Arenado at the Lake Forest Sports Park in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Arenado was at his street-naming ceremony. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lake Forest Little Leaguers take part in a street-naming ceremony for Rockies baseball player Nolan Arenado at the Lake Forest Sports Park in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, February 8, 2020. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Rockies baseball player and Lake Forest native Nolan Arenado takes part in his street-naming dedication at the Lake Forest Sports Park in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, February 8, 2020. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Nolan Arenado has made quite a name for himself on the baseball diamond.

At the Lake Forest Sports Park on Saturday, Feb. 8, Arenado made a name for himself in a whole new way.

In front of at least 100 Little Leaguers and dozens of fans, a street sign inscribed with the words “Nolan Arenado Drive” was unveiled and will be the new name for the street leading into the sports park from Portola Parkway.

The occasion marked the first time in the city’s history that a street has been named for a contemporary person.

“We’re not honoring Nolan solely for his accomplishments on the baseball diamond and what he means to baseball,” said Lake Forest Mayor Neeki Moatazedi, moments before the sign was unveiled. “We are honoring Nolan because of what he means to the city of Lake Forest. Nolan not only plays the game well; he plays with integrity and spirit.”

Before earning accolades as a third baseman for the Colorado Rockies, Nolan Arenado, a Lake Forest resident and 2009 El Toro High graduate, won a CIF title with the Chargers.

As a member of the Rockies, Arenado is a five-time All-Star, a four-time recipient of the Silver Slugger Award and a seven-time Gold Glove Award recipient.

Arenado, 28, praised his family on Saturday and credited the mentoring and coaching he’s received as contributors to his success.

“This is an unbelievable thing that has happened for me and my family,” Arenado said. “This is seriously a blessing and I’m so thankful for this. Lake Forest means a lot to me and my family.”

Even with all his accomplishments in the big leagues, including two home run titles and two RBI titles, Arenado said playing Little League ball in Lake Forest and winning a CIF title during his junior year at El Toro are his fondest memories.

“I’ve been fortunate to accomplish some great things but winning CIF with your best friends … it’s hard to really top that,” he said. “It seriously was an unbelievable moment for me and our team.”

Coming home to Lake Forest always lifts his spirits, especially after having an off day on the ball field, Arenado said.

“I make sure that I come to Lake Forest,” he said. “It revives me. It gets me energized and (I realize) how fortunate I am to be born in this beautiful city.”

In 2014, Arenado and former El Toro teammate and fellow Major Leaguer Austin Romine had their numbers retired by the El Toro High baseball program, the first numbers ever retired by the Chargers.

“Nolan has accomplished many incredible things and we hope he continues,” said Arenado’s mother, Millie Arenado. “And it all started here in Lake Forest. Lake Forest is home. Nolan has always loved playing baseball from the time he started walking. I have to say that playing Little League here in Lake Forest were some of the most happy and joyous times for him and our family.”