Wahoo! And All’s Wright With the Cleveland Indians

They saw it coming from his first days in Little League. But as former coaches, teammates and teachers watched Jaret Wright on big-screen television Wednesday night, they couldn’t believe it had happened so soon.

After all, only four years ago, Wright was playing ball for Katella High School in Anaheim. The kid was just 21. And here he was on the pitcher’s mound . . . at the World Series.

“I always knew he’d make it this far,” said Tim McMenamin, who coached Wright through four years on the Katella team. “But I never thought it would happen this fast.”

As about 50 friends and fans from Katella High watched at a local sports bar, Wright pitched for the Cleveland Indians through the first six innings of Wednesday’s game. The Indians won, 10-3, to tie the series at two games apiece.

“When you’re down 2 to 1 in the World Series, to come out and do what he did, that’s just remarkable,” McMenamin said as dozens of fans cheered the Tribe’s victory. “Everybody at Katella is very proud of him.”

Wright’s name has been posted on the school marquee all week, and throughout the season upcoming Cleveland games have been announced over the public-address system, the coach said. “Now it’s like a fever,” he said. “Everyone at the school--teachers, students, counselors, administrators--they’re all talking about Jaret.”

Focused and determined, Wright didn’t allow a single run the first three innings.

“I can’t believe how much better he’s gotten,” said Jeremy Sherman, who helped coach Wright in his senior year. “He seems calmer, like nothing bothers him.”

McMenamin stared fiercely at the screen and nodded in agreement as each strike slid over the plate. “He’s just a natural athlete,” he said. “The ultimate competitor.”

Granted, Wright had some help at home. His father, Clyde, was a pitcher for the Angels when Jaret was growing up and always made time to help his son through practices.

“They were a very close-knit family,” said Roger Olson, a Katella football coach who noted that the younger Wright was equally talented as a quarterback. “I think his father nudged him a little bit toward baseball,” he said, laughing.

Wright’s parents, younger brother and three sisters sat through falling snow in Cleveland to watch him play.

Among those at the sports bar was David Reese, a former classmate and teammate of Wright’s who, 10 years ago, played against him in Little League. “Even then he was exceptional,” Reese said. “I sure liked playing with him better than playing against him.”

Reese celebrated his 21st birthday with his parents this summer by taking in a game in Cleveland. The family met with Wright before the game.

“Fame hadn’t changed him one bit,” said Reese’s mother, Nancy. “And I hope this game doesn’t either.”

Wright, who graduated from high school in 1994, was picked up by the Cleveland Indians in June after two years in the minor leagues. He received a $1.2-million signing bonus.

During the off-season, Wright returns to Orange County, where he practices another favorite sport: surfing.

But Wednesday night, he was all baseball. Noting that even at high school games Wright spent a few quiet minutes alone to gather his thoughts before playing, McMenamin said he seemed particularly focused and controlled in the Series game.

“I saw him improve every year through high school, and he’s still improving,” he said.

But midway through the game, the wear of a long season began to show. The rookie pitcher left after completing six innings, giving up three runs and five hits. Yet he left the mound with a 9-0 record and his third post-season victory.

“It’s great,” McMenamin said. “He did what he had to do and now they’re set up to win. We couldn’t be happier.”