Hitting Coach Brian Dyer Also Returning
Kenosha, Wis. – The day the Kingfish returned from St. Cloud, MN, after just winning the 2015 Northwoods League World Series, a championship celebration was held at historic Simmons Field. As Duffy Dyer stepped to the podium, the fans chanted, “One more year, one more year!” And now, Dyer answers.
Kenosha Kingfish Field Manager and 2015 Northwoods League Manager of the Year, Duffy Dyer, will return to Kenosha for the 2016 season. Not only did Dyer lead the 2015 Kingfish to a NWL Championship, but the Kingfish won both the first and second half NWL South Division Championships with an overall record of 52-24.
The accolades don’t stop there. Under Dyer’s leadership, the Kingfish lead the Northwoods League with seven All-Stars. Dyer managed the South Division in the 2015 Northwoods League All-Star Game and guided the team to a 3-1 victory over the North Division. In August, Duffy was named the Northwoods League Manager of the Year.
The 2014 summer, his first in Kenosha and in the Northwoods League, was Dyer's first experience coaching college athletes. The team finished 41-30 overall, finishing just a half-game out of the playoffs. Out of 27 first year Northwoods League expansion teams, only the 2007 Green Bay Bullfrogs enjoyed more success, with 43 wins in their inaugural season.
Also returning to the Kingfish in 2016 is Duffy Dyer’s son, Brian Dyer, who was the team’s Hitting Coach during both the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Working alongside his son has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the coaching experience for Dyer, “It was a great experience for my entire family and I am happy we get to experience this for yet another summer.”
Dyer appreciates the fan support and energy level at Simmons Field and is already excited about fighting for a second league championship, “I am very excited about returning to Kenosha next summer to manage the Kingfish. My wife and I enjoy the excitement the fans bring to Simmons field. We are looking forward to seeing all of the fans there again next season as we fight for a back-to-back championship season.”
Prior to his managerial experience with the Kenosha Kingfish, Duffy Dyer was selected 9th overall by the New York Mets in the 1966 amateur draft. He played in over 14 seasons in the major leagues with the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and Detroit Tigers. Dyer made his major league debut in 1968 and was a member of the Miracle Mets team that won the World Series in 1969. Dyer went on to play until the 1981 season and collected 441 hits, 30 home runs and 173 RBI over his 14-year career. Dyer was known for his expertise behind the plate and had a career .992 fielding percentage while making only 30 errors during his entire 14-year big league career. Other highlights include catching a young Nolan Ryan in 1971 and catching a no-hitter by John Candelaria in 1976.
After retiring as a player, Dyer was back in baseball in 1983 as the bullpen coach for the Chicago Cubs. Dyer went on to manage the Class-A Midwest League Kenosha Twins from 1984 until 1985 at Simmons Field. He led the team to a Midwest League Championship in 1985 and was named Manager of the Year. Dyer won a Texas League Championship the following year as the manager of Milwaukee Brewers affiliate, El-Paso Diablos. Dyer then served as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Third Base Coach from 1989 to 1995. Manager Phil Garner was suspended for three games in 1993 and Dyer managed the Brewers during the three-game series against the Cleveland Indians. Following his tenure with the Brewers, Dyer served as the Bench Coach for the Oakland Athletics and worked alongside Art Howe from 1996 to 1999.