Dennis Roger Inducted Into 2020 ABCA Hall of Fame

Whenever a mention of Riverside City College baseball sprouts in conversation, one will always pose the question "Is Dennis Rogers still a coach at RCC?" Anywhere Rogers went, winning followed. From his successful time at various levels including community college, high school, Division II, II and the professional ranks he earned an induction into the 2020 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame.

Rogers captained the Tigers for 26 seasons from 1990-2015 where his legacy was tattooed in the record books. He lead the Tigers to an overall record of 775-319-2 (.707 winning percentage) and 22 playoff appearances.  

Rogers reshaped RCC into a championship machine since stepping on scene in 1990. He went on to win three-consecutive California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He followed with a fourth state title in 2007. From then on, Riverside has been a powerhouse program, not just within the Orange Empire Conference (OEC), but in the state of California.

Rogers coached over 50 big leaguers that include Bobby Kielty, Jesse Chavez, Chris Stewart and Delwyn Young. Furthermore, he was known for developing young coaches to take on various roles at many levels. He mentored and coaches with current RCC baseball Head Coach Rudy Arguelles.

Rogers, too, had a taste of professional baseball as a player and a coach. In 1982-84, he managed the Oakland Athletics Class-A affiliate, the Medford A's, and led them to a 1983 Northwest League Championship. He followed by coaching the Athletics' Rookie Class A team, the Vancouver Canadians, and earned the 2004 Northwest League Western Division Championship. Furthermore, he coached the Pittsburg Pirates' Class-A and Class-AA teams from 1986-87.

As a player, he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants and played in their minor league system from 1974-75.

Prior, Rogers enjoyed coaching stints at John W. North High School, San Gorgonio HS, and San Bernardino Valley College. He piloted San Gorgonio HS to a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) 4A Championship.

The ceremony will be held on Friday, January 3 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN.