TERRE HAUTE —
When Terre Haute’s Brian Dorsett played professional baseball in the 1980s and 1990s, he traveled all over the country and stayed in cities of all sizes.
Selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 10th round of the 1983 amateur draft out of Indiana State University, the 6-foot-3 Dorsett worked his way through the minor leagues and played catcher, first base and occasionally designated hitter during an eight-year Major League Baseball career. Included were stints with the Cleveland Indians, California Angels, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs.
Once Dorsett retired as a player in 1996 — after compiling nine home runs, 51 runs batted in and 38 runs scored in the majors — he could have worked in the front office or on the field for any number of pro organizations.
But he chose to remain in his western Indiana hometown, where he was born and where he graduated from Terre Haute North High School in 1979.
Dorsett said he and his wife Gina purchased a home in Terre Haute after they started having children.
“We felt like we wanted to raise our family here because this was where her immediate family was living and this was where my immediate family was living … and we loved Terre Haute,” Dorsett told the Tribune-Star over the weekend.
“There were plenty of opportunities to leave… But family has always been important to Gina and I. We were both born and raised here.”
Now 49, Dorsett has been anything but silent since he again made Terre Haute his full-time home.
As anyone who’s read the Tribune-Star, watched Terre Haute television or listened to local radio in the last 10 years should know, he owns the Dorsett Mitsubishi auto dealership. Since he purchased it in 2000 and moved it into its current building in southern Vigo County in 2001, his voice has frequently appeared in TV and radio commercials.
“Drive it home with Dorsett,” anyone?
Unlike some retired athletes, Dorsett saved a good chunk of his money, so that made the transition from baseball player to dealership owner relatively smooth. (According to Baseball-Reference.com, he earned approximately $210,000 from the Cubs in 1996, his final major-league season.)
After Dorsett retired as a player, he worked with his father Larry at Dorsett Auto Sales in 1997.
“I had grown up in the business,” Brian Dorsett recalled, “and my dad gave me advice on how to move up in the business.”
The natural next step for a well-known, financially stable, recently retired pro athlete who had grown up around cars was to buy his own dealership and put his name on it.
“I felt like Terre Haute was a good place to build on from what my family had started in the used-car business,” Dorsett explained.
The dealership isn’t Dorsett’s only connection to cars in the Wabash Valley.
In early 2008, he became a partner with “Radio Voice of the Indy 500” Mike King and Indy Racing League driver Davey Hamilton in what is now known as Action Promotions, LLC, which is in its third season of promoting races at the Terre Haute Action Track.
Dorsett remembers telling King when he first approached him about joining the partnership, “I’m real interested.”
Dorsett is glad he and his partners could help revive interest in the track, adding that he wanted to show out-of-towners that Terre Haute had a lot to be proud of.
Just last week, however, Track Enterprises, Inc., took over promotional reins at the Action Track for the rest of 2010. But the Action Promotions partners will stay involved to make sure the remaining races go off without a hitch.
Dorsett said Track Enterprises, owned by longtime Midwest promoter and former Action Track promoter Bob Sargent, and the O’Connor family from Kokomo should do a good job of finishing out the racing season at the historic half-mile dirt oval.
“They have all the experience with the [track preparation] machinery,” Dorsett mentioned. “We, along with USAC [the U.S. Auto Club], thought this was going to be the best solution to put a good product out there for the fans.”
Dorsett said he plans to sit down with King and Hamilton later this year to discuss whether they want to help promote races at the track in 2011.
“It’s a bigger challenge than anybody could expect, but it’s something I’ll never regret,” noted Dorsett, who had been a racing fan since he was a child. “It’s been a labor of love.”
As if Dorsett didn’t have enough on his plate, he hosted an afternoon sports talk show called “The Drive” on ESPN Radio (WBOW-AM 1300 and WSDX-AM 1130) for about three years, working with different partners at times as well as flying solo other times.
“I really enjoyed doing it,” Dorsett insisted. “It was only one hour a day and sometimes I could do it from my office at the dealership.”
His guests included Cam Cameron, Steve Weatherford, Tony McGee, Dick Vitale, Bobby Leonard, Larry Bird and Tommy John as well as a few well-known race drivers.
Dorsett already had accumulated some media experience by helping broadcast Indianapolis Indians games on TV since the late 1990s, a job he had dreamed of doing since he was a youngster.
When Dorsett played for the Class AA Huntsville Stars in 1985, he practiced for his future broadcasting adventures by doing fake interviews with the bus driver and providing fictional commentary for NASCAR races while the team took long rides to its next game.
Back to the present, Dorsett and ESPN Radio parted ways Jan. 1.
“My commitments in 2010 were changing,” he explained. “It made it easier to transition into managing the Rex [by not doing the radio show].”
Oh yeah, there’s also the Terre Haute Rex, the Prospect League baseball franchise for college players that debuted this summer. Dorsett was hired in January to manage the team.
“It’s a big commitment,” he reflected, “but it’s one I really enjoy.”
Last Wednesday, for example, Dorsett left Terre Haute at 10 a.m. for an evening game at Quincy, Ill. For weeknight home games, he usually arrives at Bob Warn Field at 3:30 or 3:45 p.m.
Even though Dorsett no longer has the radio gig, how does he balance family responsibilities, the car dealership, Action Track decisions and the Rex?
“I’ve got an awesome wife,” he emphasized. “She’s tremendous. I’ve also got a great business relationship with my dad and my managers and employees at the car dealership.”
Dorsett admitted that he’ll need to miss the July 14 Indiana Sprint Week event at the Action Track because he’ll be managing a Rex game at the Dubois County Bombers. But that’s to be expected, especially considering the new promotional arrangement at the track.
Back to the Rex, Dorsett said the toughest part of managing so far has been seeing players improperly execute the fundamentals of baseball.
“We’re having to teach them a lot about having to be an everyday player,” he said.
As with any baseball manager, Dorsett acknowledged that he becomes animated with his players on occasion to get their attention after they do something wrong.
“You want to make sure that when you pick those spots [to advise players on how to perform better],” he said, “it’s something the whole team can benefit from.”
Even when Dorsett becomes aggravated by a mistake on the field, he never wants to show up a specific player.
“We [on the coaching staff] feel like we’re teaching them about the game,” he said. “If we have to correct them and we have to be a little louder or more demonstrative than usual, we try to end it on a positive note.”
One of the Rex players that Dorsett manages is his son, Brandon, a right-handed pitcher.
“When he was younger, playing Little League and Babe Ruth, I was fortunate enough to coach him in that,” Brian Dorsett reflected. “Now doing this [with the Rex], it’s an extra blessing… It’s a pretty special opportunity that I’m thrilled about.”
Overall, Dorsett is thankful for being able to work with Gene Crume, president of the ISU Foundation (which owns the Rex), and Roland Shelton, general manager of the team.
“I love it,” Dorsett stressed. “Being a player and being a manager are completely different, though. I think losses come a little bit harder as a manager than as a player. You want the kids to enjoy that gratification when you do win. You get close to them and you want them to enjoy it all.”
Dorsett also expressed gratitude to Wabash Valley fans for being so supportive of this new team, which comes off its mid-season break Thursday with a home game against the Richmond River Rats.
“We have to have some entertainment in Terre Haute,” he pointed out. “Baseball is just a great form of summer entertainment.”
Terre Haute Rex
Terre Haute Rex manager Brian Dorsett happy to teach young players, represent his hometown
- Terre Haute Rex
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Prettyman getting comfortable as boss
At first glance, it would be easy to look at first-year Terre Haute Rex manager Ronnie Prettyman and expect him to have a difficult journey during his maiden voyage as a baseball manager.
Managing in the Prospect League isn’t the easiest job in the world.
Rosters change constantly, especially early in the season when players are still reporting from their college teams. The travel is arduous — a night game in far-off Quincy, Ill., could be followed by a home game, followed by a game at equally far-off Hannibal, Mo. The players have to acclimate themselves to playing every day after having played a maximum of five games a week at the college level. -
Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
In a battle for first place in the West Division of the Prospect League baseball standings, the Terre Haute Rex fell just short Monday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Sliders’ frustration against Rex continues
The Springfield Sliders probably curse the departure of the Dubois County Bombers from the Prospect League more than most.
What do the Bombers, who now ply their trade in the Ohio Valley League, have to do with the Sliders, or for that matter, the Terre Haute Rex?
When the Bombers left the Prospect League it created a situation where the Prospect League’s West Division teams — the Rex and Sliders both being members — had one less opponent to play in intradivision play.
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Sanchez stays hot to lead Rex to victory
Hot seems to be the right temperature for Terre Haute Rex Ricky Sanchez.
After going 3-for-5 in the Rex win on Tuesday at Hannibal, Sanchez drove in four runs with a two hits Wednesday in Terre Haute’s 6-5 win over the same Cavemen at Bob Warn Stadium.
The win allowed the Rex to maintain a one-game lead on Quincy in the Prospect League West Division standings.
Sanchez, a catcher and outfielder out of Notre Dame, started the night hitting .355 and was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double.
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Rex fall at home to Sliders
Zack Evans drilled the second Terre Haute Rex home run of the season Sunday, smashing a line drive into the trees in left field. The ball left Bob Warn Field in a hurry, but the solo shot was not enough to overcome a 3-1 deficit to the Springfield Sliders.
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Rex looking to return to pitching dominance Sunday against Springfield
During a 7-1 start and franchise-best seven-game winning streak, Terre Haute Rex pitching was the catalyst. Through eight games, the Rex led the Prospect League with an earned-run average of 1.11.
Even after giving up 10 runs Friday night in a 10-6 loss to the Quincy Gems, the Rex (7-2) are still the league leader in ERA at 2.09. -
Terre Haute Rex win franchise-record seventh straight game
Having begun its fourth season as a member of the Prospect League, the Terre Haute Rex summer baseball team had never won seven games in a row.
That is, until now. -
Rex pull even with Gems in first place after 14-inning win
It took 3 hours, 45 minutes on Tuesday at Bob Warn Field, but the Terre Haute Rex got even.
The Rex avenged their season-opening loss to the Quincy Gems, and the 5-4 victory in 14 innings also pulled the team even with the Gems atop the Prospect League West Division standings. -
Rex down Cavemen for fourth straight
Five Terre Haute Rex pitchers scattered six hits and four walks over nine innings on Sunday. All 10 baserunners were left stranded by Hannibal, and the Rex hurlers combined for a shutout of the Cavemen.
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Rex keep rolling with third straight victory
The formula didn’t have to change Saturday night as the Terre Haute Rex extended their winning streak to three games in Prospect League baseball.
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Wampler's three hits, three RBI lead Rex to win at Springfield
Tyler Wampler was 3-for-4 and had three RBI as the Terre Haute Rex earned its maiden victory of the 2013 season with a 6-0 victory over Springfield at Robin Roberts Field.
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Rex edged by Quincy in season opener
Kurt Kudrecki’s defense made a couple costly miscues, and his lineup managed just five hits through seven innings against Quincy, as the Gems held on for a 4-3 victory in the season opener for the Terre Haute Rex.
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. -
Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
Terre Haute Rex closer Nick Blount won one award and shared another and Brian Dorsett shared Manager of the Year honors as the Prospect League announced postseason awards Saturday.
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Rex out of playoffs
Successful playoff baseball = clean baseball.
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Rex mix, match their way to win
The Terre Haute Rex clinched a playoff spot last Thursday … but there were still four games to be played.
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Rex turn eye to Prospect playoffs
Fans attending this evening’s Terre Haute Rex game should expect some handouts, some surprises — and probably better start by the home team than the Rex could provide Saturday night.
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Rex drop road game to Sliders 7-1
One night after a dramatic come-from-behind victory, the Terre Haute Rex went down meekly to the Springfield Sliders 7-1 in Prospect League baseball Friday night.
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Rex defeat Springfield twice, clinch spot in playoffs
It was a long but fruitful night for the playoff-bound Terre Haute Rex.
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Playoff march continues: Rex creep closer to postseason with victory over Dans
Hire the band, make the floats, and rent out a street.
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Rex split, retain 3 1⁄2-game advantage in West Division
A five-run ninth-inning rally fell far short for the Terre Haute Rex on Sunday night in Prospect League baseball.
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No no-hitter, but Rex triumphs
Kyle Zimmerman took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, lost his control and the lead, but the Terre Haute Rex offense had an immediate answer Friday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Travel baseball teams enjoy busy summer
So in the past two or three years, the increase in local travel baseball options has been led by three groups, Indiana (formerly Terre Haute) Havoc, Riley Recreation League and Junior Rex.
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First-place Rex top rival Bombers
If you haven’t been to a Terre Haute Rex game yet this season, tonight might be the time to go.
The Rex have a second straight home game against the Dubois County Bombers, a potential Prospect League West Division playoff preview — and a battle between maybe the division’s two biggest rivals. -
Rex top Cavemen, raise record to 14-6
The first-place Terre Haute Rex picked up a 6-4 victory Wednesday at Hannibal, Mo., against the Cavemen.
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Rex win first game of Saturday doubleheader
Terre Haute maintained its stronghold on first place in the Prospect League West Division on Saturday, the Rex defeating Dubois County 6-1 in the first game of a doubleheader.
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Strunc fans 10, Rex win 12-10
Power pitching and power hitting kept a season-high crowd of 1,732 Rex fans on the edge of their seats Friday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Starting role suits Cunningham as Rex win
Nick Cunningham took the mound Thursday in his relatively new role as starting pitcher looking to give the Terre Haute Rex some breathing room atop the Prospect League West Division standings.
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Rex fall at Danville, maintain two-game division lead
The Terre Haute Rex lost 7-4 on Wednesday at Danville, falling to 9-4 in the second half of the Prospect League schedule.
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High drama, but no win
Pinch-hitter Michael Eberle provided patient Terre Haute Rex fans with plenty of excitement by belting a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the score against the Springfield Sliders at 9-9.
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