In 2006, the Cyclones gave everyone in the NY-Penn league more than ample proof that at the very least, they had the right name on their home uniforms. While making the playoffs in a magical second half run, the Clones were downright dreadful in the beginning of the season, losing their first handful of games with virtually no offense and sub-par defense. Many were quick to blame manager George Greer for the team’s problems scoring runs, wondering why he wasn’t as aggressive on the basepaths as former managers like Mookie Wilson and Edgar Alfonzo. However, after a while, it seemed that Greer’s master plan needed some time to come together and soon enough, the Cyclones offense was strong, while its defense was simply stellar.

In the beginning of the season, Greer was the kind of manager that many reporters liked as a person, but couldn’t work with as a journalist. He was a man of few words and the ones that did come out were basically stolen out of the “Bull Durham” book of clichés. After a great game, he’d explain how things happened in vivid detail, but when asked his feelings on something bad, he’d reverberate things like “Things are going well enough, we’re just waiting for things to turn around.” As a young reporter, it was kind of hard to break through to him. I mean look at the guy’s resume, a standout college and minor league ballplayer, who captained a team that featured the likes of Thurman Munson and an amazing college coach. Anyone with that kind of experience in baseball really knows how to pick their words, making it difficult to get him to really open up, but after about a dozen games that season, something happened.

Aside from a bunch of players being reshuffled on the team’s roster that obviously made the team a better one, the media that usually come around for special events and the beginning of the season began to fade in number and the “Regulars,” or guys that cover the team the whole season stayed and continued to ask the same questions. Eventually, Greer became a great quote and someone that was actually fun to talk to. While he doesn’t have the likeable personality of Alfonzo, Greer has a kind of dry charisma and passion that is easily noticeable by anyone. Overall, he reminded me of Joe Torre a little bit.

However, unlike Torre, Greer knew how to manage a bullpen and I believe that was the sole reason why the Cyclones were as solid a team as they were that season. He also knew how to get his team fired up, evidenced by the times I saw him get ejected from games or get in the face of a player who wasn’t hustling. That’s not to say he was a bully. Not even close. He was more of a taskmaster that knew how to get the most out of his players. I think among everything else, his players knew that too and they really worked hard for the guy.

Currently the hitting coach for the Savannah Sand Gnats, Greer is still helping young Mets prospects develop into quality ballplayers.

Images by Patrick Hickey Jr. and Conroy Walker