Former MLB'er leading alma mater to Semi State this weekend

Greensburg will play in Semi State Saturday

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) — A former Major League Baseball player is hoping to lead his alma mater to a state championship game this weekend. 

Alex Meyer graduated from Greensburg High School in 2008 and went on to pitch for the University of Kentucky before being drafted professionally. 

He made his Major League debut for the Minnesota Twins in 2015. Ironically, his second career appearance took place at Great American Ball Park against the Reds. 

Meyer was then traded to the Los Angeles Angels where he made more than a dozen starts before injuries sidelined his career. 

“People have asked me if I am angry how it ended early, but truly I am not. I feel extremely blessed to have experienced everything I did and when I was 17 I never dreamt I would play in Major League Baseball,” Meyer said. 

During his professional playing days, Meyer never forgot about his former school or community as he served as a substitute teacher at Greensburg High School during the offseasons.

His substitute teaching duties grabbed national headlines at the time. 

Alex returned home with his wife, Kyra, and became the varsity baseball coach in 2022. The players who were freshmen during his first season are now the seniors leading the Regional Champion team. 

“We won just five games that first season, and every year since then this team has been committed to getting better. I couldn’t be more proud of them for their hard work and buying into the mission of the program,” he said.

Alex says it is a blessing to represent the Pirates while also giving back to young players from his hometown. 

“I love Greensburg High School and it has done so much for me and to be able to go back and coach the young men that are experiencing some of the same things I did while in high school is neat and full circle,” he said. 

Meyer added, “As much as the kids enjoy being here I enjoy it even more.” 

He still gets a taste of Major League Baseball as he's provided some guidance to his cousin, Bryan Hoeing, who is currently in the San Diego Padres organization.

Meyer and the Pirates will face Jasper High School in Jasper at 2 p.m. Saturday. Get more information on the game by clicking here.

Here are some more photos taken by Katina Tekulve: