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Will Klein may have been the breakout hero of last year’s World Series, but the Dodgers pitcher insists life hasn’t changed much—at least not when he’s out and about in Los Angeles.
“I could walk around downtown and people wouldn’t notice you if they weren’t looking for you,” Klein said in an exclusive interview on “Dodgers Dugout Live,” reflecting on the months since his unexpected ascent from minor leaguer to postseason sensation.
Yet, anyone following social media knows differently. Klein’s feeds have exploded with new followers, messages and recognition–especially each time a clip of his postseason heroics goes viral.
Fame, however, hasn’t gone to Klein’s head.
“I still feel like the same guy I was before,” he said, though he admitted perks such as increased brand partnerships have started coming his way. “That’s been an added bonus. But I just try to take it like nothing’s changed.”
It’s been a whirlwind for Klein, 26, who was staring down an uncertain future at the start of the 2025 season. After being designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners while with their Triple A affiliate in Tacoma, Washington, Klein recalled the sinking feeling of waking up to missed calls and the realization that his future was in limbo.
“I just sat there, my wife and I were like, ‘what do we do? We don’t know where we’re going to go,’” he said. “We didn’t know if we were going to be claimed, traded, whatever.”
That uncertainty was short-lived. By the end of that day, Klein learned the Los Angeles Dodgers had traded for him, quickly injecting hope and excitement into his season.
“Being in Tacoma, not really knowing what’s going on, and then getting traded, going to L.A., meeting [Dave] Roberts, the entire staff, and getting to share a locker room with Shohei Ohtani … I don’t think you could have done much more of a 180 in baseball,” he said.
“Feeling wanted by another team certainly re-instills confidence, but especially when it’s the Dodgers,” he continued.
What Changed for Will Klein in Los Angeles?
The Dodgers, known for scouting and recommissioning raw talent, quickly set to work reinventing Klein’s pitching approach.
Simplification was key: coaches honed in on his natural strengths — curveball, fastball, and developing a cutter — while helping him shelve an ineffective slider that had plagued him in the minors.
Klein credits the Dodgers for instilling belief and clarity. “Having those conversations with everyone there … kind of reinvigorated me and just motivated me to keep going,” he said.
That conviction translated into a 2.35 ERA for Klein and, more importantly, indelible postseason moments. He proved his mettle during his star-making performance in Game 3 of the World Series, cementing his place among Dodgers playoff legends.
While Klein downplays his newfound fame, he acknowledges the role the fans and social media have played in pushing him forward. Messages from admirers nationwide, especially during the holidays, have offered him added motivation heading into the 2026 season.
Now, with Spring Training on the horizon, Klein’s goals are clear: keep building confidence, sharpen his execution and secure a spot on the Dodgers’ opening day roster.
For the once-overlooked reliever, the coming season is another chance to prove that his story is far from a one-hit wonder.
“To be able to go and play a big role in that kind of game, it definitely makes you feel like you’re a part of the team, like you deserve to be there a little more,” he said. “And especially for years onward. I’ll always have that in the back of my mind.”
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
