Trojan Great Kevin Rogers Inducted into MCCF Hall of Fame

By Mark H. Stowers

Kevin Rogers, a 2014 Class of the Mississippi Delta Community College Sports Hall of Fame member and now 2025 Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame almost wasn't a Trojan. His dream was playing for Delta State, the Cleveland native had an arm injury and came to Moorhead.

The rest is history.

"I am honored and humbled," Rogers said. "I've just been going through life and I think about my college and pro career from time to time. But when you get an award like this you realize you are gone but not forgotten."

Even though he had Statemen dreams, he has no regrets about his path.

"Delta State was really seductive but then the injury happened my senior year and Coach Ferriss said he would redshirt me but I should think about going to Mississippi Delta," he said. "It was kind of a let down but when I met Coach Terry Thompson and saw what kind of program he had at MDCC and the success they were having and the team – I knew I'd have to work to earn my spot here just like anywhere else."

Rogers had two successful years at Moorhead and constantly saw the stands filled with Major League Scouts. His freshman year, Rogers became fully aware that Major League Baseball scouting bureau reps were watching him pitch.

"That's the point when my dreams and what my dad said I was – it all started to become a reality at that point."

Rogers fell in the draft due to his first game of his sophomore season.

"My velocity was down and I just didn't feel comfortable," he said. "The Giants scout told me that every time somebody left, he knew he could get me cheaper."

After his sophomore season, he was drafted in the ninth round by the San Francisco Giants in 1988. He worked his way up the minor leagues and played for the Giants from 1992 to 1994.