MOREHEAD, Ky. ? Jay Sorg, a veteran professional baseball manager, coach and player, has been named Head Baseball Coach at Morehead State University, his alma mater.
Sorg played three seasons at MSU (1992-94) before being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds organization in the 15th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He had played for the 1993 Eagle squad that won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Prior to the professional draft in 1994, he served as the Eagle captain, was team most valuable player and earned First-Team All-OVC honors.
After a five-year stint as a player in the Reds’ minor league system, he was hired by the club as a baseball instructor in their player development area. During the next five years, he held several positions with the Reds, including: manager of the Class A Clinton (Iowa) and Advanced Rookie League Billings (Mont.) minor league teams, hitting coach for Class A Rockford (Ill.) and Billings minor league teams, bench coach for the AAA Louisville Bats and minor league spring training camp coordinator. Sorg led Clinton to the playoffs as the youngest professional manager (26) in the nation. He managed Billings to the Pioneer League Championship.
In order to be closer to a growing family, he left professional baseball in 2003 and served nearly three years as director of baseball operations for Champions Sports Complex in Louisville.
He returned to the Cincinnati Reds in June, 2006, again as a baseball instructor in player development. In 2006 and in 2007 before taking over the MSU program, Sorg was a bench coach for the Bats. During his tenure with the Reds, he was a part of eight playoff and four championship teams.
“We are extremely excited that Jay has agreed to be our Head Baseball Coach,” said MSU Director of Athletics Brian Hutchinson. “He is an extremely talented and personable individual. His baseball experience speaks for itself. He has worked with and instructed some of the most talented individuals in the sport.
“I also appreciate his great desire to return to his alma mater and lead its baseball program while also having a very bright future in professional baseball. The future of Eagle Baseball is promising with Jay at the helm.”
At the end of his first professional baseball season as a player, he returned to MSU and completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting (1994) after only three and a half years at the University.
“My wife and I are extremely grateful for the opportunity to come back and be a part of a city, university, and athletic program that has had such an impact on our life.” Sorg said. “This university has always been tradition-rich in baseball. We are committed to continuing the legacy that has been built by so many and have a vision for an exciting future.
“I would like to thank Dr. Andrews, Brian Hutchinson, the staff and all the alumni who were involved in this process. I would also like to thank the Cincinnati Reds for being a first-class organization.”
The 34-year old Sorg is married to the former Shelly Rocke, a standout volleyball alumnae for the Eagles. She still ranks in the top 10 in Eagle Volleyball history in digs, total attacks and games played. They have three children, Ty, Kyley and Casey.