Burt’s Press Box: McLain turned down $2.6 million offer

Beckman’s Matt McLain (middle) with Coach Kevin Lavalle and teammate Justin Goldstein in the press conference following the CIF Division 2 finals.

The last time many baseball fans saw Beckman’s Matt McLain was June 2 when he and his Beckman Patriots were facing Yucaipa in the championship game of the CIF Division 2 finals.

McLain’s goal, ever since his team missed a chance on getting to the finals in his junior season, was to lead the Patrriots to a CIF title. But Beckman ran into a talented Yucaipa team and lost 8-1, which ended the Patriots’ 17-game winning streak.

• RELATED STORY: McLain opts for UCLA after offer from Arizona.

McLain, like he always has, faced the questions from reporters, said he was proud of his team, credited Yucaipa and said the game should serve as motivation for the returning players (including his two younger brothers) at Beckman next season.

Two days later, McLain was being drafted in the first round of the Major League draft as the 25th pick and later in the week he was offered a signing bonus of $2.6 million.

Yes, $2.6 million.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

We sure thought McLain would take the offer and turn away a scholarship to play at UCLA. Let’s be honest, $2.6 million can get you a lot. But as time passed, it became clear that McLain was seriously considering turning down the offer for the chance to play for the Bruins.

When we talked to him recently in an interview, the money just didn’t seem like a big deal. But that’s how McLain is….talented, humble, hard working, focused and a team player. Patriots’ coach Kevin Lavalle said of McLain:

“Matt is the best player in the history of our program, and we have had several great ones. He’s at the top or near the top of every single offensive category, and it’s almost scary to think what he would have been able to accomplish with the old bats.”

McLain’s final decision shouldn’t be that surprising when you think of it. McLain has always wanted to be a Bruin, he’s always been loyal to his school and he takes his preparation to the game very seriously.

Honestly, it’s refreshing. Sure, $2.6 million is a lot of money. But an education at UCLA is also valuable; in fact, you can’t really put a price tag on it.  No one is happier than UCLA coach John Savage and his players.

The Bruins are getting quite a player.

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Some other notes from around Irvine and Tustin:

• Irvine High’s football program will host the FCA Passing Tournament and Big Man Challenge at Irvine Stadium on Saturday, July 21. The teams involved will be Irvine, Crean Lutheran, Capistrano Valley Christian, Saddleback Valley Christian, Rancho Christian, Western Christian and Verbum Day, according to Vaquero coach Erik Terry. The first passing game is at 9 a.m. with championship games at 3 p.m. There is also a Big Man Tug of War at 1 p.m.. and the guest speaker will be former Navy Seal Chad Williams, who is scheduled to speak at noon. We will have coverage on OC Sports Zone.
• Beckman’s baseball team will wrap up the Beckman World Series on Friday with games starting around 2 p.m. This is always a fun event with the Beckman players coaching the teams.
• One of the best camps of the summer was the Frostee Rucker Camp at Tustin. The former Tiller and current Oakland Raider put 100 percent of his efforts to make it successful. It’s so great to see athletes who have made it big give back. If you check out his Twitter page, you will find he is a very humble person who helps many.
• Former Woodbridge running back Connor McBride has accepted an offer to walk on at San Diego State, according to Woodbridge Coach Rick Gibson. He had been at Saddleback College.
• The Warriors’ football team is back in Catalina this weekend for their annual summer conditioning program.
• Great to see members of the Woodbridge baseball team supporting the Irvine Ranch Little League in the Section 10 tournament. There was some controversy regarding the league’s manager Doug Euper being ruled out for a substitution violation. Throughout the tournament, though, there was some pretty exciting baseball with a talented Huntington Valley team taking the title and moving on.
• Crean Lutheran has a new weight room, which should make the athletes at the school pretty happy.
• Woodbridge outfielder Kaitlyn Lim was named MVP of the Pacific Coast League while Beckman’s Christy Kelly was selected pitcher of the year.
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