Looking for success to spite history
Klein, Bean hope to showcase talents amid opposing team
By Yoni Tamler
Daily Bruin Staff
Much more lies beneath the surface of today’s non-league game
between the UCLA and UC Santa Barbara baseball teams, at least in
the minds of two particular individuals.
A couple of redshirt sophomores, Matt Klein of UCLA and Seth
Bean of UCSB, will encounter their former squads at Jackie Robinson
Stadium this afternoon at 2:30.
"I always wanted to go to UCLA my whole life but coming out of
high school I knew I would have to walk on here," said Klein, who
spent the past three years with the Gauchos. "I went to Santa
Barbara for more playing time and also because it was closer to
home."
What Klein didn’t know was that the decision whether or not he
would play as a true freshman was out of his hands.
"They didn’t give me any chance," Klein said. "Without me having
any say in the matter, they told me I was redshirting – no ifs,
ands or buts about it.
"I feel like I wasn’t used to my full potential at Santa
Barbara, and that was frustrating because we weren’t winning many
games. And when you’re not getting playing time for a team that
isn’t even doing well, that’s like a slap in the face."
Tonight’s meeting will be the only time this season the No. 4
Bruins (14-6) and Klein (0-0, 6.48 ERA) get a look at the Gauchos
after rain cancelled their Feb. 21 meeting in Santa Barbara.
While Klein said he had something to show his former team, Bean
expressed little resentment toward the school with whom he signed
as a freshman.
"It’s not like I’m out for revenge or anything, because (UCLA)
Coach (Gary) Adams was very helpful and supported whatever was in
my best interest," Bean told Baseball America. "It would just be
great to go back there, shut them down and prove to myself that I
could pitch there."
Bean, who will indeed get the start for the Gauchos (14-5)
today, came to UCLA three seasons ago, "but he didn’t like the big
city," Klein said.
As it turned out, Bean (5-1) was diagnosed with agoraphobia, a
fear of open spaces and large crowds.
"He pitched about an inning for us, and, he just couldn’t do
it," Adams said of Bean, who redshirted that year after realizing
his condition. "But he’s been doing fine now. He’s been
winning."
PATRICK LAM/Daily Bruin
Matt Klein has a little something to prove to his former team if
he takes the mound to relieve Ryan O’Toole for No. 4 UCLA against
UC Santa Barbara.
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