By Mark Halpern & Lawrence Lang
So as most of you might not know about the considerable sale just about a month ago. D.B.H. {Diamond Baseball Holdings} purchased nine different minor league franchises, one of them being the Hudson Valley Renegades, which happens to be the New York Yankees single-A long season team.
For most who don’t know, the Hudson Valley renegades have been a part of the Hudson Valley since 1994. They were initially a part of the Texas Rangers organization from 1994-1995 then became apart of the Tampa Bay Rays organization from 96-2020 then in 2021 they became apart of the New York Yankees . Founded by the Goldklang Group. Over the past 27 years, the Renegades have had some great success. They have won six division titles in 1998, 1999, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2021 {Yankee take over.} They have won 3 championships in 1999,2012, and 2017. This is a great accomplishment for any young franchise.
Lawrence “Patch Man “Lang {President of The Sports Insanity Network} and Mark “Old Ops Guy” Halpern {Current co-host on the S.I.N. and of N.F.L. Blitzer’s}, had the pleasure of working there over the last three years {Halpern 2018-2019 Lang 2018-Present} “I have to say I had the most fun at a job ever. That overseeing the stadium comes with great responsibility and a challenge I was ready for,” Halpern had to say. Lawrence Lang started as an intern on the Fun-Team {promotions for the company} and then moved his way up to cameraman. His final position we can’t divulge as it is top secret. I met Lawrence this way, and that’s how I joined The Sports Insanity Network.
The Hudson Valley Renegades is run and controlled by President Steve Gliner, who has been with the team since 2003 and has put together a great family of employees over the years and had some great success. Lawrence And I had the great pleasure of working directly for him. I contacted Steve and asked him some direct questions that Lawrence and I came up with, and I appreciate the time he took to answer them.
Mark Halpern: After your long relationship with the Goldklang Group, what are your feelings about moving on with ownership?
Steve Gliner: “In 2014 when I was with the Fort Myers Miracle, I was working for the Goldklangs when they sold our team in Fort Myers. I had worked for them since December 1989, just shy of 25 years. As you know, I came back to the Renegades to work for them again in January of 2017 and have been with them for another five years. They are first-class all around. They have always treated my family and me as part of their family. I will miss working for them.”
Lawrence Lang: With your new partnership with DBH, what are you most looking forward to?
Steve Gliner: “We are now part of an ownership group that has tremendous resources behind it, which in turn will only positively impact the overall fan experience at Dutchess Stadium for years to come. The Renegades are best known for the fun atmosphere we provide at all games and events. We expect that we will reach new heights under the Endeavor / Diamond Baseball Holdings umbrella.”
Mark Halpern: Will Richard Zolzer remain with you in a long-time partnership that you guys have been in at the current role he is in now?
Steve Gliner:” Of course! Zolz has been a key part of the Renegades for most of our 27-year existence. It would not be the same without him.”
Lawrence and I enjoyed working with the V.P. of V.P.’s and a great Announcer and were ecstatic to hear he will remain with the club.
Mark Halpern: In 2019, we began stripping and moving and resetting and gutting out Dutchess stadium. At that point, you knew things were changing. New stadium next year, you get the covid virus, then the news that the Yankees have bought the organization, and now the team has been sold. What has it been like for you over the last three years and now? Are you happier where you were or more excited to wear you be?
Steve Gliner: “To say the last three years has been a roller coaster would be a bit of an understatement. It has been the most challenging period in my career, and it is safe to say that most in our industry feel the same. We are certainly looking forward to what lies ahead, though. It’s going to be great when 2022 feels “normal” again!! Playing a full season schedule here in the Hudson Valley as an N.Y. Yankees affiliate is a real dream come true.”
Mark Halpern: How does the family feel about it?
Steve Gliner: “They couldn’t be happier about the change and are behind me 100%.”
Lawrence Lang: With this acquisition, are you expecting more one-on-one with DBH than you had with The Goldklang Group.
Steve Gliner: “I am very excited to see what DBH brings to the table. The Goldklang group was always available for me to talk to them from every facet of the business. They were very good with their 1-1 interaction with me, and I can’t wait to see what that will be like with this new venture.”
Mark Halpern: I’m sure you are thankful for your time and energy into the teams you ran with the Goldklang Group. Are you at all angry about the sale?
Steve Gliner: “Not at all. I am fortunate to have been able to work for the Goldklang family for as long as I have. Nothing is forever, though, and I am pleased that the new ownership is going to be able to help us to run this team so that it will provide the very best experience for our fans and partners.”
We wish to thank Steve Gliner, President of the Hudson Valley Renegades, for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions, and we wish him nothing but the best with his new endeavor.
The Sports Insanity Network 