Long Beach State coach is neutral in Jered Weaver-Jason Vargas matchup

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Jered Weaver delivers a pitch while playing for Long Beach State in March 2004. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

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Jered Weaver looks on during a game against the Minnesota Twins in May 2006. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

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Angels starter Jered Weaver celebrates after recording an out against the Seattle Mariners in 2006. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

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Jered Weaver delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in April 2010. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Jered Weaver pays respects to teammate Nick Adenhart at Angel Stadium on April 10, 2009. Adenhart died in a car crash the night before. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Angels starter Jered Weaver delivers a pitch during a game against the Baltimore Orioles in 2006. (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

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Jered Weaver, left, jokes around with teammate Torii Hunter before a game against the Oakland Athletics in April 2011. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Jered Weaver celebrates with catcher Chris Iannetta immediately after throwing a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2012. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Jered Weaver celebrates with his Angels teammates after throwing a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins on May 2, 2012. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)

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Jered Weaver celebrates with his teammates in clubhouse following his no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2012. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Jered Weaver cries as he hugs his father Dave after throwing a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2012. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Jered Weaver delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in July 2012. (Christine Cotter / Associated Press)

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Angels starter Jered Weaver delivers during the 2015 season opener against the Seattle Mariners on April 6.

(Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)

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Angels starter Jered Weaver slips as he makes a throw to first base during a game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 15, 2015.

(Greg Fiume / Getty Images)

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Angels starter Jered Weaver delivers a pitch during a game against the San Diego Padres on May 25, 2015.

(Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

By Mike DiGiovanna

Staff Writer

Oct. 2, 2014 7 AM PT

Long Beach State baseball coach Troy Buckley considers himself an avid Angels fan, one whose ties to Angels ace and former 49ers star Jered Weaver has led to close relationships with Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, pitching coach Mike Butcher and vice president of communications Tim Mead.

But when Buckley settles in front of his television to watch Thursday night’s American League division series opener between the Angels and Kansas City Royals, he will turn the mute button on himself.

Opposing Weaver in Game 1 will be Royals left-hander Jason Vargas, another former Long Beach State pitcher who was a teammate of Weaver on the 2004 49ers club that came within one win of the College World Series.

“I’m going to try to be neutral as best I can,” said Buckley, who is in his fifth year as the head coach at Long Beach and was the pitching coach on that 2004 team. “I can’t have a rooting interest. I guess I’d like the Angels to win with both pitchers getting a no-decision.”

When Buckley heard his former pitchers would be squaring off against each other in the playoffs, he sent text messages to Weaver and Vargas, who have remained good friends since college, to congratulate them.

“I’m just really proud of them because they do it for the right reasons,” Buckley said. “They play to win, they believe in the team, they compete extremely hard, and there’s not a selfish bone in their body. That is what I love about those guys.

“That started a long time ago, before they made all their money. They’re in a great position to play for a championship, and that’s tough to do. They’re all about winning, and when you get there, there’s no better feeling.”

Long Beach State coach is neutral in Jered Weaver-Jason Vargas matchup

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