Whitman College Magazine Winter 2021

ATHLETICS
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.
Finding Home
WORLD SERIES WINNER MENTORS BLUES ATHLETES
AND THROWS HIMSELF INTO LIFE IN WALLA WALLA
BY MARGIE REECE ’93
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,
Whitman College 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.
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 Whitman
College’s baseball program. (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
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS
38 / WHITMAN MAGAZINE