Finding Home
World Series Winner Mentors Blues Athletes and Throws Himself Into Life in Walla Walla
Team Treinen. World Series winner Blake Treinen in October 2020, pictured with his wife Kati and their two children, son Krue and daughter Addison. The Treinens call Walla Walla, Washington, home.
In the 2020 World Series, All-Star pitcher Blake Treinen had an opportunity that many athletes dream about—what he calls “the biggest stage, the biggest game of my career.”
In the ninth inning of Game 5, Treinen came in to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Tampa Bay Rays. With his signature blazing fast pitches, the 32-year-old right-hander closed out the game in dramatic fashion, securing a crucial win for his team. The Dodgers went on to take home the coveted trophy in Game 6 of the series.
Scattered across the country and watching the World Series that same October evening, ³Ô¹ÏÍø athletes celebrated one of their own—a coach and friend. Treinen had encouraged and guided these teammates and alumni, and they will tell you it’s the character of the man that makes him a true champion.
More Than Just a Game
In baseball, home base is the ultimate destination. As a pro player since 2011, Treinen has made an impressive career of pursuing the plate’s corners and sweet spots with an arsenal of wicked pitches, including his sinker, cutter, slider and fastball.
Joining The Blues
It's Blake Treinen's wife, Kati Treinen, who first had ties to Walla Walla. An Idaho native and star athlete herself, Kati (Isham) played basketball for Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) from 2008-2010, setting impressive scoring records before going on to do the same at Boise State University. After she and Treinen married and settled in Boise, Idaho, she realized how much she missed Walla Walla, particularly their church community.
The couple decided to pursue a move to Walla Walla, where Kati had the opportunity to join her former coach Bobbi Hazeltine's staff at WWCC. But there was a catch, so to speak. They could call anywhere home during Blake's off-season, but they knew he would need a quality facility for his year-round pitching and training.
When Treinen first approached Whitman, it was purely with that goal in mind: a place to work out and throw. But the college administration came back with their own curveball, Treinen says. They'd welcome him into their facilities, but in return they wanted him to consider a role as an assistant coach-working out with the baseball team and offering his guidance and expertise when his scheduled allowed.
It's a good faith deal that Treinen doesn't regret making. "Whitman's been everything that we've needed, and along the way we've made a lot of good friendships. I don't know if you can have a better quality of people and coaching staff than what I've been fortunate enough to be around at the baseball program there."
Still, it’s the home and contentment that he’s found with his wife and young children in Walla Walla that he’s most grateful for. And according to Treinen, they may not have made the move to Washington at all if it weren’t for his off-season gig with . (See “Joining the Blues.”) Treinen, who grew up in Kansas and previously played for the Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals, joined the Blues coaching staff in the fall of 2015.
“Having Blake on our staff has been tremendous,” says Head Coach Brian Kitamura ’10. “First and foremost, he’s a great person with an incredible family. His willingness to give his time to our program and to our student-athletes is something that we are really thankful for, especially with his schedule as a professional athlete.”
No sports achievement, even a World Series win, could ever compare to the rich rewards he gets from his family, deep faith and relationships, Treinen says. He recalls how that struck him following the 2020 World Series.
“I’m asking myself, ‘Look, you just had the biggest accomplishment of your lifetime potentially and do you feel satisfied?’ And I’m thinking, ‘No, I don’t. Nothing will fill the void in your heart meant for Jesus.’ So, what do you do? Chase another one and have the same feeling or realize that your life is worth more than just a game?”
Helping Out Any Way That He Can
According to Treinen, any positive influence he can bring to the Blues is immensely gratifying to him. “Most of my interactions are in the weight room with the players. So, when they walk in, I tell them, ‘Hey, when I’m here, ask me as many questions as you want. Because I’d love to help you out in any way that I can.’”
Training with Treinen: Blues players share what it was like to train with a pro.
A Real Pro
"Coach Treinen is a consummate professional in every way. The opportunity to see how he carried himself and approached things was extremely valuable for us. Although we aren't major leaguers, at least not yet, it's been an example we have been able to follow in various professions."
-Alec Rainsford, Whitman Blues (2015-2018)
Humility & Kindness
"As a person, I learned from Blake to show humility and kindness no matter your level. Additionally, he always keeps his priorities first, reminding me to work on becoming better, and not only a better baseball player, but a better person."
-Joseph Zimmer, Whitman Blues (2015-2018)
Memories of a Lifetime
"Blake was a great influence to have around during the offseason. He was always willing to share his knowledge and time with us, and that formed memories and relationships that will last forever."
-Anthony Lim, Whitman Blues (2015-2018)
But he says the real credit for the quality of the program goes to Kitamura and his staff. “They do all the work really. That baseball program is successful because of what they do,” Treinen says. “The cool thing about BK [Kitamura] and the guys who are there is they’re all about coaching up quality humans, not just baseball players. And there are so many things in life that are more important than baseball.”
When asked about the kind of student-athletes Whitman recruits, Treinen chooses the word “cerebral.”
“They want to think like the Xs and Os and how things work. To me, that’s a great asset. What separates minor leaguers from big leaguers is your mental side. I’ve seen a lot of guys at Whitman who are mentally strong and they have the ability to see the bigger picture.”
As far as Whitman baseball program’s big picture, Treinen certainly plays into their bright future. “The knowledge he’s able to share about strength training and pitching has really helped our players with their development.” Kitamura says. But it’s more than that. “It’s pretty special to have a guy like Blake here to mentor our student-athletes, which is an integral part of our mission to help each of our players become the best person they can be.”
In January of 2021, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Blake Treinen to a new two-year contract.
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Published on Mar 3, 2021