Shining A Light: Mike Hill, Tyree Hayes and Greg Jones made their mark on the field and off
As part of MLB's The Nine initiative designed to honor and celebrating the historic impact of Black ballplayers, the Hudson Valley Renegades are taking a look back at three notable contributors from throughout the team's 30-year history. The three chosen players come from the first three decades of Renegades baseball,
As part of MLB's The Nine initiative designed to honor and celebrating the historic impact of Black ballplayers, the Hudson Valley Renegades are taking a look back at three notable contributors from throughout the team's 30-year history. The three chosen players come from the first three decades of Renegades baseball, but simply scratch the surface of the contributions of black players in the Hudson Valley.
Mike Hill - 1994 Hudson Valley Renegades
Mike Hill had a short playing career, but is one of a few players who can claim to be a member of the 1993 Erie Sailors and the 1994 Renegades. Drafted in the 31st round of the 1993 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, Hill played in 93 career MiLB games across two seasons, posting a .143/.228/.214 line in 30 games with the original Renegades.
Hill, who was the leading rusher for the Harvard football team and the captain of the baseball team in his time in Cambridge, retired after the 1994 season and joined the initial Tampa Bay Devil Rays front office in 1995. In 1999 he became the Director of Player Development for the Colorado Rockies, and departed for the Florida Marlins in 2002. He worked his way up to be Vice President, Assistant General Manager, and eventually General Manager of the Marlins. In 2013, he was promoted to President of Baseball Operations.
In 2021, Hill moved on to the role he currently holds, serving as the Senior VP of On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball, where he is one of the highest-ranking officials in the sport.
Tyree Hayes - 2008 Hudson Valley Renegades
Tyree Hayes pitched in the minor leagues for six seasons, topping out at the High-A level. As a member of the 2008 Renegades, Hayes went 5-6 with a 3.39 ERA on a team that finished 40-35 and featured that year's #1 overall pick in the draft Tim Beckham.
On August 10, eight years to the day after Doug Waechter threw his no-hitter vs. Pittsfield, Hayes took the mound at LeLacheur Park in Lowell to face a spinners lineup featuring three future Major Leaguers. He turned in a masterpiece, scattering four hits and striking out six and not walking a batter while tossing a complete game shutout in a 4-0 Renegades win.
Seventeen years later, Hayes' performance at Lowell is the most-recent 9.0-inning complete game shutout thrown by a Renegades pitcher. Only one other pitcher - Drew Thorpe in a rain-shortened 5.0 inning game on July 3, 2023 -- has thrown a complete game shutout for the Renegades since. With modern pitcher usage, it seems likely that Hayes' game at Lowell will never be matched by a Renegades pitcher.
Greg Jones - 2019 Hudson Valley Renegades
The 1st round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019 out of UNC Wilmington, Greg Jones came to the Hudson Valley and electrified the crowds during the team's final season as a Rays affiliate. He hit .335/.419/.461 in 48 games while lacing 13 doubles, 4 triples and stealing 19 bases. His lightning speed helped propel him to becoming a Top 100 prospect in the sport, and eventually to making his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies on June 6, 2024.
Jones' .335 average in 2019 is the second-highest single-season average by a Renegades player in team history, behind Cliff Brumbaugh's .358 mark in 1995. He is still one of only four Renegades batters in franchise history to hit at least .330 in a season with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. Since Jones, the best a Renegades batter has hit while qualifying for the batting title was Spencer Jones in 2023, when he hit .268.
Renegades Homestand Preview: April 15-20, 2025
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 14, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, return home on Tuesday, April 15 to begin a six-game series with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, the High-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Gates open to all guests 60 minutes prior
Primed In Pinstripes: Pitching coach Demetre Kokoris ready to work in first year with Yankees
Demetre Kokoris has coached baseball at just about every level. From Division II Point Loma Nazarene to Triple-A Round Rock and the international stage, Kokoris has seen it all. That doesn’t mean it was always easy for him to evaluate talent. Kokoris’ first job in pro baseball came with the
Renegades fall 8-1 to Cyclones in series finale
Brooklyn, N.Y. (April 13, 2025) – The Brooklyn Cyclones used a five-run first inning to secure a 8-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades, earning a series split on Sunday afternoon at Maimonides Park. In the first, singles by Boston Baro, Jacob Reimer, and Carson Benge loaded the bases with
Renegades split doubleheader with Cyclones, earn 2-0 shutout
Brooklyn, N.Y. (April 12, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades and Brooklyn Cyclones split a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Maimonides Park. The Renegades earned a 2-0 shutout victory in game one of the doubleheader, but fell to the Cyclones 2-1 in game two. In game one, both teams were
Game Off: Renegades and Cyclones postponed on Friday
Brooklyn, N.Y. (April 11, 2025) — Friday’s regularly-scheduled game between the Hudson Valley Renegades and Brooklyn Cyclones has been postponed due to inclement weather at Maimonides Park. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 12, comprised of two seven-inning contests beginning at 1:00
Castillo drives in six runs, bullpen dominates in 8-3 Renegades win
Brooklyn, N.Y. (April 10, 2025) – A tremendous bullpen performance and six RBIs from Jackson Castillo carried the Hudson Valley Renegades to an 8-3 victory over the Brooklyn Cyclones on Thursday night at Maimonides Park. In the first the Renegades took an early lead when George Lombard Jr. walked, stole
Local Flavors: Renegades & PSC announce 2025 Heritage Financial Park food lineup
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 3, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and Professional Sports Catering (PSC) today announced a variety of enticing new menu options available to all Heritage Financial Park guests throughout the 2025 season. The greatly-expanded food lineup is highlighted
Hess' dominant debut highlights Renegades 7-3 victory
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 9, 2025) – Behind Ben Hess and an Antonio Gomez grand slam, the Hudson Valley Renegades beat the Brooklyn Cyclones 7-2 on Wednesday, earning their first road win of the season. Hess was masterful in his pro debut, striking out nine batters in 4.2 scoreless innings.
In frigid temperatures, Renegades fall to Cyclones in series opener
Brooklyn, N.Y. (April 8, 2025) – On a frigid Tuesday night at Maimonides Park, the Hudson Valley Renegades fell to the Brooklyn Cyclones 7-3 in the opener of a six-game series. After Carlos Lagrange struck out the first two batters in the bottom of the first, Jacob Reimer singled and
Bryce Cunningham strikes out seven in pro debut, Renegades win 6-2
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 6, 2025) - Behind a five-run fifth inning, the Hudson Valley Renegades earned their first series win of the season, beating the Jersey Shore BlueClaws 6-2 on Sunday afternoon. Bryce Cunningham was impressive in his professional debut, striking out seven across five innings while allowing two
Renegades score three runs in ninth to earn remarkable walk-off win
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 5, 2025) - Down 7-5 in the bottom of the ninth, the Hudson Valley Renegades scored three runs to complete an incredible comeback victory over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on Saturday night for their first win of the 2025 campaign. In the first Brendan Jones tripled
BlueClaws pitching slows down Renegades in 3-1 loss
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 4, 2025) — On Opening Day, the Hudson Valley Renegades fell to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws 3-1 on Friday night at Heritage Financial Park. Kyle Carr and Casey Steward both strung together excellent outings. Both teams mustered just two combined hits through the first four innings.
Star Studded: Yankees announce 2025 Renegades Break Camp Roster
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 31, 2025) – The New York Yankees today have announced the 2025 Break Camp Roster for the Hudson Valley Renegades. The talent-laden roster features six of the Top 20 prospects in the New York Yankees organization, including five pitchers. The Renegades roster is highlighted by INF
Staffing Up: Renegades announce new staff hires and promotions
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 2, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced today a series of front office staff promotions and new hires ahead of the 2025 season. Will Young – Assistant General Manager Will initially joined the Renegades in May
Renegades Homestand Preview: Opening Weekend
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (April 1, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are excited to release a detailed look at all the happenings at Heritage Financial Park on Opening Weekend of the 2025 season, beginning on Friday, April 4. The Renegades open the
Party On: Renegades Fest Returns to Heritage Financial Park on Saturday, March 29
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 4, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are thrilled to announce the return of Renegades Fest to Heritage Financial Park on Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This year’s event will be bigger than ever
Renegades & HFCU announce Pine Bush Little League as 2025 Youth Field Betterment recipient
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 28, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and Heritage Financial Credit Union, a local Credit Union serving communities in and around the Hudson Valley for over 85 years, have announced today that Pine Bush Little League has been
YES Network & The Gotham Sports App to air six Renegades games in 2025
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 26, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, will have a package of six games televised live on the YES Network and streamed live on The Gotham Sports App during the 2025 season. YES is the exclusive regional media
Hitting The Books: Renegades launch 'Rascal's Reading Challenge'
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 7, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are thrilled to announce during Read Across America Week the establishment of “Rascal’s Reading Challenge,” a new educational program aimed at encouraging students throughout the Hudson Valley to pick up a
Spring Breakout: Renegades place 17 alumni on Spring Breakout Rosters
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 6, 2025) – Rosters for the 2025 Spring Breakout games were announced by Major League Baseball this morning, and 17 former Hudson Valley Renegades players were named to Spring Breakout Rosters, including placing 14 alumni the New York Yankees Spring Breakout Roster. The Yankees prospect team
Break A Leg!: Renegades announce 2025 theme nights and promo schedule featuring original musical
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Feb. 24, 2025) –The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, will make history in 2025 as they become the first team in baseball to stage an original musical which will be performed in between innings. The still to be named Renegades Musical
Fields Of Dreams: Youth Field Betterment Program Applications Now Open
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Feb. 7, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced today that applications for the Youth Field Betterment Program presented by Heritage Financial Credit Union are now open. Applications will be accepted by the Renegades from Feb. 1 through
Making Fetch Happen: Renegades announce all-new Retrievers alternate identity
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Feb. 3, 2025) – In honor of National Golden Retriever Day being celebrated today, the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are excited to announce an all-new alternate identity for the team to begin play in the 2025 season, the Hudson Valley
Super Cooper: Yankees name James Cooper manager of the Renegades
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Jan. 24, 2025) – The New York Yankees announced their minor league field and support staffs for the 2025 season on Friday. James Cooper will take over as the manager of the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Yankees’ High-A affiliate. Cooper becomes the 20th manager in team history,