Nolan Arenado had 110 friends and family members in attendance for his return to Anaheim

Nolan Arenado grew up just down the road from Angel Stadium. He used to sit in the stands as a kid, with his glove on his hand, waiting for a ball to come his way.

On Tuesday night in Anaheim, Arenado was playing on the field. Instead of his parents sitting next to him, they were watching him.

"We haven't been here [Angel Stadium] since 2009, when he got drafted," said his mother, Millie. "That was the last time the Rockies played the Angels, and he got to go on field -- but this is pretty special."

Arenado grew up in Orange County, attended El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Calif. and had over 110 family and friends at the game.

"This is really an unbelievable thing, coming here," said Millie. "We would come here and he would bring his glove and run the bases after. This is just really special."

Arenado's great aunt, Anaivett Araoz, was in charge of tickets, and she said she spent her time leading up to the game calling group sales every day to add more people to the group.

"I called group sales, and then I started Facebooking everybody, saying, 'Nolan's in town and it's the first time he's here,'" said Araoz before pausing to watch Arenado bat. "We had 110 people here tonight and there will be another big group tomorrow."

There was a group of 70 family members down the left line, near where Arenado performs his defensive wonders. This time, however, he did not go flying into the stands.  

The rest were spread out around the stadium.

"It's really emotional. It's exciting and such a blessing to have all the family here to support him," said his aunt, Mercedes Arenado. "I texted him this morning and told him there was no pressure and we love and support you no matter what happens."

In addition to family, Arenado's high school baseball team and coaches, as well as some teammates from Little League, were in attendance.

"I had a kid that I coached in Little League with Nolan who came all the way from New Jersey to watch this game here tonight," said Arenado's father, Fernando. "It's amazing. I left a ticket for him at Will Call. It's pretty awesome."

Arenado, 24, has cemented himself in the Rockies lineup. Despite not being on the 2013 Opening Day roster, he appeared in 133 games and became the second rookie to win a Gold Glove at third base. He won it again in 2014 and is one of five players to win the award in each of his first two seasons.

"While he was growing up, we were just hoping he would get a scholarship," said Fernando. "Everything else after is a privilege and a bonus. It's really neat and a special time for everyone."