TROY — The Empire State Greys were historically bad last season with no assurance they would exist for more than one year.
They’re back this season and much better.
With new manager Mark Mason and only three returning players, the Greys entered Saturday’s game against the Tri-City ValleyCats with as many wins in 18 games as they had in 96 last year.
They bludgeoned the ValleyCats 9-3 on Friday night to improve to 6-12. The Greys were 6-90 last season and began the 2022 season with 35 straight losses, among the longest losing streaks in professional baseball history.
“For the most part, everybody we’ve matched up with, it’s like, we can beat them,” said Greys pitcher Zach Gettys, one of the three returnees. “Last year, it was a little tough. You’re rolling in like, you look at the other side and you know you’re outmatched. This year, it’s not like that at all.”
Like last year, the Greys are a travel team, playing all their games on the road. The Frontier League needs the Greys for an even number of 16 teams for scheduling purposes.
They came into existence last season after the Southern Illinois Miners folded. When the Frontier League couldn’t find a permanent franchise this year, the Greys got a second chance.
They began their rebuilding in December by hiring Mason, an experienced independent-league manager, to replace Gil Rondon. Mason managed the Atlantic League’s York (Pa.) Revolution for the past nine seasons and won 606 games, the fourth-most victories in league history.
He has also managed in the Frontier League before. He was the league’s Manager of the Year when he led the Ohio Valley Redcoats, another travel team, to a 46-49 record.
“I think last year, they had a late start trying to get a team together,” Mason said. “This year, we had an early start, we knew what we were going to do. I’ve…
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