WNC: Jepsen speaks at Wildcats' fundraiser

RENO - Kevin Jepsen's preparing for his biggest job interview yet.

"It's a huge year," said Jepsen, who has pitched on baseball's biggest stage for three seasons. "I live to be the best. When I'm on the field, I feel that I'm the best. Obviously, it doesn't happen when you get beat but that drives you to be more hungry."

In his final year of his contract before arbitration with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the 2002 Bishop Manogue grad faces his biggest season to not only stay in the major leagues but become the team's closer.

Jepsen, who was drafted by the Angels in the second round, returned to Northern Nevada for his first public speaking appearance as he headlined Western Nevada College's annual athletics fundraiser dinner at the Peppermill Hotel-Casino.

"I would do it again if I had to," Jepsen said. "Ever since I was a young kid, in my heart I wanted to play in the major leagues."

Jepsen answered questions from the WNC baseball and softball teams before speaking during the dinner, where participants had the option to support a Nevada high school baseball or softball program by attending the dinner.

But Jepsen, whose only public speaking experience came from watching others, like the big names drawn to the University of Nevada's baseball dinner, acted like the calm closer he is striving to become. From revealing secrets to his success to recalling the longest home run he gave up, Jepsen continued WNC's tradition of exposing its student-athletes to inspiring success stories.

Jepsen grew up in Reno and threw his only no-hitter while a sophomore at Manogue. As Jepsen was making his break into the big leagues, his father - an Angels fan - passed away before he could watch his son pitch wearing an Angels uniform.

And his father would be proud, watching down on his son playing for his favorite baseball team.

"It was tough. He was a huge part in everything I did," Jepsen said.

But as Jepsen recalled his time in Northern Nevada with Manogue and the showcase games, he said it's important to come back to where it all started and "give back to the community."

On the baseball diamond, though, the biggest things Jepsen reiterated was keeping healthy and reacting to the adjustments from hitters.

"Anybody in the big leagues can hit any pitch that they want to hit. It's about making an adjustment," Jepsen said. "The upper body is more about maintaining and not lifting heavy weights. But if the abs go, it's a matter of time before your arm goes. It's a weak link and abs keep it all together."

While one of Jepsen's main goals is to stay healthy, the next accomplishment is to become the Angels' closer. Competition for that vital position comes when spring training begins next month.

Jepsen said about three to four are out to impress the Angels' coaches. Admiring recently retired closer Trevor Hoffman and current Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, Jepsen is aware of the task and strongly believes he'll make the opening day roster at the same position.

"It's closer by competition. It's whoever gets it," Jepsen said.

But Jepsen's laid-back nature he displayed in front of the WNC teams might help the Anaheim-born reliever. His favorite stadiums to play in include Safeco Field in Seattle, the new Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park in Boston. He's never taken batting practice and hasn't held a bat since his Manogue days. And the longest home run Jepsen surrendered?

"I really don't know. Vladimir Guerrero hit one off me to dead center at our place," Jepsen said.