HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Tommy Gregg enjoyed the first season of Tri-State Coal Cats baseball so much, the Coal Cats and Appalachian League announced that Gregg will return to Tri-State for his second season as the team's manager.
“I'm so excited to be returning to Huntington and being the Tri-State Coal Cats manager,” Gregg said. “Looking forward to another successful and fun season with the fans, coaches and the players. Hopefully winning a championship this year. Also hope everyone in Huntington is excited for the season. GO CATS!”
“I can’t wait to get back to work with Tommy,” Coal Cats general manager Christian Palmer said. “2025 will be a great year for the Appalachian League, Coal Cats, Marshall University and Kindred Communications!”
In 2024, Gregg guided the ball club to a 22-26 record, including splitting the final ten games of the season.
Along the way, the Coal Cats developed young college-level talent, including a pair of All-Appalachian League League honorees -- catcher Logan Poteet and outfielder Michael Rodriguez.
Gregg has more than 35 years of professional experience as a player and coach. He spent the 2023 season as a coach for the Pulaski River Turtles in the Appy League prior to coming to Huntington.
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Gregg in the seventh round of the 1985 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest, and he made his big league debut with the organization during the 1987 season. Gregg played nine seasons in the Major Leagues as a member of the Pirates (1987-88), Atlanta Braves (1988-92, 1997), Cincinnati Reds (1993) and Miami Marlins (1995). He hit .255 over the course of 226 games with Atlanta during the 1989-90 seasons and finished his career with a .243 average in 446 games.
Gregg transitioned into a coaching role with Atlanta after retirement, holding positions with the Single-A Macon Braves (1999-2000) and Myrtle Beach Pelicans (2001). He spent five years (2002-06) on the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A Memphis Redbirds coaching staff before joining the Royals organization for the next decade. With Kansas City, Gregg served as a coach for Single-A Wichita (2007), Double-A Northwest Arkansas (2008) and Triple-A Omaha (2009-17). He joined the Marlins in 2018, coaching Miami’s Triple-A New Orleans affiliate for two seasons.
The remainder of Gregg’s coaching staff will be announced at a later date.
Year 2 of Coal Cats baseball begins Thursday, June 5 as Tri-State opens with a three-game series at Elizabethton, Tenn. The Coal Cats then open the home portion of the schedule June 9 at Marshall University’s Jack Cook Field when they host the Pulaski River Turtles in the first of a two-game series.
For more information about the Tri-State Baseball team, visit appyleague.com/tri-state or follow @TriStCoalCats on X and Instagram.
