General Managers Traded
July 10, 2003 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Hudson Valley Renegades News Release
FISHKILL, NY - When it comes to professional baseball, it isn't always the players on the field who are traded. The Hudson Valley Renegades and the Florida State League's Fort Myers Miracle today announced that the clubs have exchanged General Managers, effective October 1st. Renegades President/General Manager Steve Gliner will be heading to Fort Myers and Miracle General Manager Dave Burke will take over the reins at Hudson Valley. As part of the compensation, the Renegades also will receive Burke's Golden Retriever, "Rutgers," who presently doubles as the Miracle Team Mascot. Burke will be appointed General Manager and League Director in Hudson Valley, while Gliner will assume Burke's position as GM in Ft. Myers. Both clubs are owned and operated by the Goldklang Group, headed by Marv Goldklang and Mike Veeck.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for both myself and my family," said Gliner. "I am very excited to be able to go to Fort Myers and help contribute to the continued success of the Miracle franchise. Dave and his staff have done an outstanding job." The move also has benefits for Gliner and his family. "From a personal standpoint, we are looking forward to being closer to family relationships. Both my parents and my wife's parents live in the Southeast and, with our kids getting older, we are looking forward to being able to spend more quality time with them."
Gliner began his baseball career in 1988 with the Albany-Colonie Yankees and, after the 1989 season, went on to spend four years with the Charleston, S.C. Rainbows (now the RiverDogs), also part of the Goldklang Group. Gliner has been with the Renegades since the team arrived in the Hudson Valley in December 1993. He began his stint there as the team's Director of Sales and Marketing. Prior to the 1997 season, Gliner was named Assistant General Manager/Director of Sales. In October 1998, he was named Vice President/General Manager and held that role until October 2001, when he was named President/General Manager. The Renegades have had the good fortune of selling out most of their home games during the course of their ten-year history. In 2002, the team achieved its highest attendance in history over the New York-Penn League's 38 game home schedule by drawing 162,724 fans to Dutchess Stadium.
Burke is in his third season as General Manager of the Fort Myers Miracle. In 2001, his first year in the position, he was named Executive of the Year by the Florida State League. Under the leadership of Burke and Miracle team President Linda McNabb, who will continue in that role, the Miracle led the Florida State League in attendance in 2002 and are among the leaders again in 2003. A graduate of Rutgers University in 1993, where he earned a BS in economics, Burke began his baseball career in 1990 as an Assistant Groundskeeper with the Burlington Indians. After a stint with a team in Tyler, TX, he accepted the Assistant GM position with the Miracle in May 1996.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to come to Hudson Valley," said Burke. "The history of success and fan support that the team has had is incredible." Personal and family considerations also were a factor in Burke's decision to head north, as he grew up in New Jersey, less than an hour and a half drive from Dutchess Stadium. Both the Renegades and the Miracle have been recipients of the coveted Bob Freitas Award, an honor bestowed annually at Baseball's Winter Meetings upon the leading franchise at each classification level for all of Minor League Baseball. Hudson Valley received the award in 1998 and Fort Myers in 2002. The Miracle is the only Florida State League franchise ever to have been so recognized.
Gliner acknowledges that his time in Hudson Valley has been special. "This has been an incredible ride. It is especially gratifying to have been a part of everything since the very first day. I always will cherish my ten years here."
According to Renegades and Miracle Chairman Marv Goldklang, "Steve and Dave are among the top executives in Minor League Baseball and, as an organization, we are fortunate to be able to retain the benefits of their leadership and also address objectives in their personal lives. Although both the Miracle and the Renegades have been tremendously successful franchises, we are confident that each will benefit from the vitality and fresh ideas produced by a change in leadership, particularly when it involves professionals of the caliber of Steve Gliner and Dave Burke."
New York-Penn League Stories from July 10, 2003
- Cardinals Swept by Cyclones in Doubleheader - New Jersey Cardinals
- Renegades Beat Vermont, 3-1 - Vermont Lake Monsters
- General Managers Traded - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Pirates Sign Top Draft Choice - Williamsport Crosscutters
- Cardinals Alter Roster - New Jersey Cardinals
- Former Major League All-Star Tim Raines in Jamestown - Jamestown Jammers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
