Gabriella Salguero is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sierra Linda High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – Former MLB pitcher Ray King is now officially the new coach of the Sierra Linda Bulldogs baseball team. 

A few months ago, King applied for the coaching position and he officially got the word, two months ago, that he was chosen for the position.

“He has the background that relates to our students when he was a young man growing up,” Sierra Linda Athletic Director Chris Bennett said. “He has the outcome of utilizing that discipline, hard work, and respect to make something of yourself with your talents.”

King had a humble background. He grew up in the small town of Ripley, Tennessee, playing baseball from Little League through college at Lambuth University, until he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1995. He finally reached the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1999, and continued to play with various teams until he retired in 2008.

Since then, King began his coaching career, coaching at different levels of baseball. His most recent coaching experience was in the Empire League, a professional baseball D-League, for the Malone Border Hounds in New York  until deciding to coach at Sierra Linda.

“I always wanted to give back,” King said. “I wanted them to know you may not make it to the big leagues but baseball can get you an education. I want to show the young men that I went to a small school and I made it.”

Coming out of a successful 10-year MLB career where he pitched in 593 games and posted a career ERA of 3.46,  King knows what it takes to make it to the big leagues. But having an education provided to you by your athletic talents is something that no one can take away. King firmly stands on this belief.

King supports his athletes and he mentors them in a way that sharpens their athletic talents and minds to help these young men take advantage of the opportunities that baseball can provide.

King says his main priority as the coach for Sierra Linda is to grow the program and teach the students to become better people on and off the field. The baseball season hasn’t started yet and King is already showing his impact on the program so far. 

“When we speak to him it’s all about ‘how can we grow the program? Who can we get involved? I found someone who wants to donate to the program’,” Bennett said. “He’s supportive of the students, of the athletes and we are excited to see what he does.”

Kings’ support with the baseball program can hopefully inspire these students to work hard and strive for better. Sierra Linda is a school with a population of predominantly minority students and if he can help them create better opportunities for themselves after high school then his impact will spread out farther than the community at Sierra Linda.

“It’s very hard right now to find a good quality coach,”  said Jake Dahle, a former player for King. “Ray is more than a coach. He takes the time to understand his athletes.”

With Sierra Linda coming off a difficult season with a 3-15 overall and 2-10 region record, King hopes he can help the program succeed on the baseball field, but he will also help the athletes look forward to something this upcoming season. 

“I’m in it for the kids. I want to show the kids I’m in it with them,” King said. “I want support from the staff. We are a village and we are here to teach them the right way.”