Former MLB Manager Jerry Manuel Helping William Jessup University Start Baseball Program

ROCKLIN (CBS13) — Former Chicago White Sox and New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel is helping establish a new baseball program at William Jessup University.

The Rancho Cordova native will oversee the beginning of the university's baseball program.

"It's a breather for me to come back to Sacramento, Rancho Cordova or Elverta," he said. "This is home, so I look forward to it. I'm not a big city guy."

Through the Jerry Manuel Foundation he's also operating a school for sixth- to ninth-graders that combines academics with baseball training.

Now he's agreed to guide William Jessup's new baseball program as the director of baseball operations.

The university moved to Rocklin 10 years ago. They now have approval from the city to build a new field.

"This is such fertile ground. We just have to dig those players back up again and give them an opportunity to play college ball," he said.

Manuel graduated from Cordova High School. He also played for the Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres.