(railcatsbaseball.com)

By Scott Barancik, editor

Gary RailCats left fielder Adam Klein has been named MVP of the American Association championship series.

Klein, 30, hit .533 with two doubles, 5 RBIs, five runs, and four walks as the Indiana-based RailCats defeated the Wichita Wingnuts 3 games to 1. A former Oakland Athletics farmhand, the 5-foot-11-inch Los Angeles native is best known for his baserunning, ability to draw walks, and excellent arm. He hit .288 during the 2013 regular season with seven triples (tied for 6th in the league), 40 RBIs, 78 walks (1st), 21 stolen bases, a .416 on-base percentage (5th), 10 outfield assists (1st), and 207 putouts (1st).

In an article in the Times of Northwest Indiana, Klein expressed admiration for Shawn Green, the former Los Angeles Dodgers star who sat out a game for Yom Kippur during the 2001 pennant race. Faced with a similar choice last week — Game 3 of the championship series took place on erev Yom Kippur — Klein made a different decision, if not lightly. “I haven’t strictly adhered to my religion, or let’s say it’s been quite challenging to do so throughout my playing career,” he said. “Obviously the holidays that I am around, I’m able to celebrate with family and be there, and adhere to the principles of the religion. My primary focus right now is to be here and take care of the task at hand.”

Led by Klein, the RailCats won Game 3 by a score of 7-6. The leadoff hitter went 4-for-4 with a walk, stolen base, and four runs, including Gary’s first and last of the game.

The American Association is considered the most competitive among all independent professional baseball leagues.

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