Portia Medina / Roundup
Having played professional baseball for the last 3 years, assistant baseball coach Adam Klein, 26, is no stranger to tasting victory and defeat when he’s not on the field with the Brahmas.
The Brahmas recently made it to regional playoffs and ultimately lost to El Camino College. “There is often too much pressure on players to win which can affect them negatively,” said Klein.
He said he takes an entirely different approach considering his own history with the game.
After overcoming obstacles during his youth and early injuries, Klein adopted the mantra, “You just never give up.” Following two elbow surgeries in 2001, he stopped pitching and played strictly outfield.
With outfield as his specialty, he was asked to coach the Brahmas by his former coaches at Pierce College who he kept in close contact with over the years.
Klein played baseball at Pierce College from 2002 to 2005 before earning a full scholarship to Cal State LA. From there he got drafted out senior year to the Oakland Athletics in the June 2007 MLB amateur draft.
His baseball career started in little league at the age of five. Klein said that he always loved baseball and knew that he wanted to play when he grew up.
He practices the same drills that he gives the ballplayers for strength and conditioning. Klein maintains his own mental and physical training in the hours that he’s not coaching the Brahmas during the off-season of his professional career.
“His story totally gives me hope,” said center fielder Iggy Wagner.
Klein worked closely with Wagner this season on defensive outfield skills leading him to win the Golden Glove award this year. An honor awarded to the best defensive player in the Western State Conference.
“He gave us a whole sheet on base stealing and that definitely helped. He also taught me how to pick up pitchers’ counts and pick signs,” Wagner said.
This is exactly what Klein was brought in to do. Working directly with the outfielders and helping with base running as well as hitting.
“My favorite thing about coaching is that I have an opportunity to contribute to the players growth and maturity and be a positive influence on them as individuals,” Klein said.
A good work ethic and persistence are two things that Klein prides himself in.
“The ultimate goal is to help each player become the best that they can be overall, increasing their ability to play well regardless of how many games we win,” Klein said.
This was Klein’s third year as assistant coach and the first full time year. His experience comes not only from the perspective of a coach but also as someone who is currently playing professionally, leading to some cutting edge training techniques.
“He gave us plyometric drills to help with strength and speed and he introduced me to Bikram yoga for conditioning,” Wagner said.
Over the last three years Klein has played professionally with the Arizona League Athletics and the Joliet JackHammers, an independently owned team. Currently Adam is playing with the independently owned Gary SouthShore RailCats in Gary, IN.
“I was kind of upset when he had to leave, he pushed my goals and achievements higher than I ever thought they would be and would always tell us not to settle for anything less than what we deserve,” said left fielder Travis Forbes.
It was just before the regional playoffs started when Klein left to play professionally again.
“AK’s got that good friend vibe, but he can easily draw the line between coach and player. Everyone absolutely respects him,” said Forbes.
There is a personal attention in Klein’s coaching style that the ballplayers have been receptive to.
“He gets more involved on an individual level and contacted the schools that I was interested in transferring to,” said Wagner. The ballplayers refer to Klein as AK and Wagner and Forbes are referred to as AK’s sons.
“Adam is a smart, fun, and an incredibly driven guy,” according to his close friend Enrique Collazo.
Adam admits, “Initially my academic goals were not that crucial to me, but as I grew up they became more important.”
He graduated with a 3.9 GPA, Magna Cum Laude from Cal State LA in 2007.
“I encourage the ballplayers to focus on their grades and academic achievements as well as their athletic goals in an effort to help the players become well rounded,” said Klein.
The Brahmas have been direct recipients of Klein’s energy and commitment to baseball.
“I’ve called AK a couple times for help since he left and he’s always there for me. I feel like I can call him anytime,” said Forbes.
Klein’s dedication to the team is evident by his continued coaching via phone call and extended care beyond state lines.
“I remember asking AK for help with getting faster on running and he was on the phone at the time. He quickly ended his call and dropped everything at that moment to help me with plyometric training,” said Forbes.
Klein’s passion for helping players isn’t just expressed on an individual level.
“His pre game speeches inspired the whole team,” Forbes recalls, “AK would finish the pregame speech with this fire in his eyes and totally get our blood pumping.”
To any of the Brahmas seeking a career in professional baseball Klein advised, “Remain humble because there is always more to learn. Desire to continue learning and growing as a ballplayer. “
There is a wealth of knowledge in this Pierce College alumni turned professional baseball player.
“The team has remarkable chemistry and really enjoys playing with each other. Winning is all about playing together,” said Klein.
With his attention to details and positive attitude, Klein has made an indelible mark on the Brahmas according to the ballplayers.
“I definitely feel like there’s a future for me in coaching when I decide to stop playing professionally,” said Klein.
No one knows how much longer Klein’s professional baseball career will continue on, but he promised to be back in the fall to help coach the Brahmas for another year just like he has for the last three years.
“The Brahmas have had a tremendous amount of success this year and it truly is a treat to play ball and go to school at the same time. It makes college just that much better,” said Klein.
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