What does it take for a kid from Mid-Pacific to make it to the majors and participate in the World Series? For Will Ireton ‘07 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Isiah Kiner-Falefa ‘13 of the Toronto Blue Jays, it wasn’t just playing and understanding baseball.
Ireton serves as the Director of Japanese Player Operations and Strategy as well as interpreter for Shohei Ohtani. Meanwhile, Kiner-Falefa is a highly versatile infielder playing shortstop, second base, and third base. Their paths to these positions were shaped early on at Mid-Pacific, where Pitching Coach Craig Hayashi remembers their character and drive within the game.
“Will was a very respectful, hardworking, and inquisitive person. I saw that work ethic, and that belief in himself that he could always do it as long as he kept working at it,” Hayashi said. “Isiah had a presence that people gravitated towards, and he was always positive. He would pick everybody up, and was a great teammate.”
While their perseverance was clear from the start, it was about how they applied that mindset to Mid-Pacific’s baseball culture, influencing everything from the work ethic to their culture both on and off the field.
“It’s not just [about being] willing to put in the work, but for players to make the best out of the opportunities [that they’re given.] They’ve been taught by the best coaches who all have their own perspectives of what works, but they still found ways to change, adapt to the situation and make themselves better,” Middle School Baseball Coach Cyrus Oh Young said.
This mentality and commitment was not only present on the field, but in the classroom, too. While both of them approached academics differently, teachers like Lou Majchrzak, high school history teacher, can remember the hard work Kiner-Falefa displayed in class.
“He did what most teachers would ask. He was very attentive, humble, and willing [to put in the work]. That [might be] one of the things he picked up at Mid-Pacific—he learned that ‘you go to do what you go to do’ to get through and be successful,” Majchrzak said.
Kiner-Falefa was thought of very highly by both teachers and classmates around Mid-Pacific’s campus. He also strived to make a difference within his community by volunteering for 2013 Class Advisor Christine Toguchi.
“Isiah volunteered for everything. He did every Christmas assembly, Welcome program, Aloha Program, and set up for banquets and prom. He always did what was asked of him, and he was super respectful,” Toguchi said.
Both Ireton and Kiner-Falefa were thought of as model students whose reputation went beyond the classrooms. Even teachers who did not have them as students recalled the lasting impressions they made on campus.
“Unfortunately I didn’t have Will in any of my classes,” 2007 Class Advisor Noilani (Strohlin) De Costa said. “However, I do remember him as a very respectful, friendly and honorable student.”
As an Honors and IB student, Ireton balanced a demanding course load while maintaining a strong reputation among faculty and peers.
“He was an all-around nice guy who was a model student and young man, and someone who was thought of very highly by both teachers and students,” (Strohlin) De Costa said.
As coaches and teachers reflect on both Kiner-Falefa and Ireton, it always circles back to more than their passion and integrity. Baseball Head Coach Dunn Muramaru can remember the moments that led them to their current success.
“What I really remember is that we had three baseball players from the Yokohama Baystars, a professional team. They all came and they would be working out [with Will]. I can only speak a little Japanese and I can’t understand, so Will would ask and translate for me,” Muramaru said.
Not only was it impressive to witness, but it helped Muramaru to understand and communicate with his players efficiently. This revealed to him the kind of person that Ireton was from the start as he was willing to step into a role to help the people around him.
Muramaru also took notice of his other players like Kiner-Falefa. During the state tournament championship game, they had no outs and the coach ended up making him sacrifice. As he played, he decided to ignore Muramaru’s call, helping to win the Division I State Championship, showing who he was as a person.
“Isiah bunted and fouled twice so I told him to just hit. [Instead,] he disobeyed and bunted again where he fouled the ball up two and struck out. By sacrificing himself, it showed me that his team instinct was really strong and that he wanted it way more for the team than himself,” Muramaru said.
While Ireton and Kiner-Falefa contributed as players and students by making an impact at Mid-Pacific, they still continue to have an effect on the community. For players like Varsity Baseball Infielder and Outfielder Ezekiel Asato, these alumni continue to influence and shape his perspective.
“It’s pretty inspirational seeing how people [from Mid-Pacific] can make it to the top level. We still have the same coach, culture, and work ethic here. It just shows that even though you might not have all the opportunities that people on the mainland have, you can still [go to the big leagues] if you work hard,” Asato said.
Baseball coaches like Catching and Dugout Coach Todd Jinbo also hope this continues to show players and even students what is possible with a good character and work ethic.
“We’re just hoping that the kids understand that if you work with the things that we teach them, you can get to a level. It might not be playing, but there’s jobs within, if you love and have the passion for baseball [or for any career you strive for,]” Jinbo said.
