Greg Pavlick: Former Mets Pitching Prospect (1971- 1977) & Coach (1983- 1996)
In the early seventies the Mets had many good pitching arms throughout the organization. In 1973 as the Mets were winning the pennant, Pavlik had his best season going 7-7 with a 3.45 ERA at A ball Visalia. Greg did have control issues that kept him from making it to the big leagues.
By 1977 Pavlick got as high as AAA Tidewater where he made just four appearances, walking ten batters in nine innings.
Retirement & Coaching Career: After his playing days, Greg would go on to work as a pitching coach for 13 years throughout the Met organization.
He began his coaching & roving instructor at the minor league levels. In 1983 he became a bullpen coach at A ball Columbia & the next year at AA Jackson.
1986 Mets Staff Trivia: Pavlik & the other Mets coaches along with their manager Davey Johnson had a close relationship. They would stay at an estate on Long Island the team kept for them as they played golf nearby. When it was time to eat, Bill Robinson would get the groceries, Vern Hoscheit would cook then Pavlik & Johnson would clean the dishes.
Mets Pitching Coach: In 1994 he was hired by GM Joe McIlvane to replace Mel Stottlemyre after his departure working under manager Dallas Green. In the strike shortened season his staff went 55-58.
Retirement & Coaching Career: After his playing days, Greg would go on to work as a pitching coach for 13 years throughout the Met organization.
Pavlick served as a coach on the Mets big league club during three different periods; first during the good times of the Davey Johnson era from 1985 - 1986. In those two years he served as bullpen coach working under pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre.
Quotes- Davey Johnson: "Perhaps Greg's main duty was to assist Mel with our pitchers. He really made a contribution too. I think his biggest asset was his familiarity with the staff because he had seen so many of them throw in our system".
After the Championship, Pavlik returned to the minors as a rover but his main job was to help Dwight Gooden get back to form after his drug rehabilitation.
From 1988-1991 Pavlik was back with Davey Johnson as bullpen coach staying in that role when Bud Harrelson took over the team. He moved to first base coaching as well.
In 1992 -1993 Pavlik went back as a minor league roving coach.
Mets Pitching Coach: In 1994 he was hired by GM Joe McIlvane to replace Mel Stottlemyre after his departure working under manager Dallas Green. In the strike shortened season his staff went 55-58.
The 1995 season began with high expectations from "Generation K" consisting of pitchers Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher & Paul Wilson. But everything fell apart as all three pitchers suffered injuries & Bobby Jones ended up leading the staff with ten wins as the only pitcher to put up double figures in victories. The team won just 69 games & Pavlik was let go being held accountable for the Gen K disaster.
Pavlik went on to the AL New York teams minor league system working there from 1997- 2013.
Family: During his coaching days Greg & his wife Deborah spent time living in the New York area.