By Kathleen Szmit
kszmit@barnstablepatriot.com

     According to a published report, the Hyannis Mets have released head coach Greg King. “The Board of Directors met and decided that we would part ways and look for a new head coach,” said Mets General Manager John Howitt in a phone interview at press time yesterday.

     News of King’s dismissal first appeared in a Cape Cod Times web log. Howitt would not comment on the Board’s specific reasons for releasing King. “We thank him for his efforts,” he said.

    King has been with the Mets for four seasons, beginning in 2004 when he led the team to the playoffs with a 21-22-1 record and second place in the Western Division. 

    In 2005 the team was plagued with injuries and subsequently fell to a league record low of 7-36-1. This season, however, the team ended with a third place 20-21-03 record and was in contention for a playoff spot before losing to the Wareham Gatemen. 

    During the past year two of King’s pitchers have thrown no-hitters. Southpaw Charlie Furbush entered his name into the Hyannis record books on July 26, 2006 against Bourne, and Matt Daly did the same on July 25 of this year against Wareham.

    “They wanted to make a coaching change,” said King who expressed his disappointment during a phone interview yesterday. “That’s the Board’s decision.”

    King, who previously worked as an assistant coach in the Cape League for Harwich, Y-D and Cotuit, will return to Thomas College in Maine where he has been head coach since 1997. At Thomas he has been named the Maine Athletic Conference Coach of the Year twice and has led his team to two NAIA New England Championships.

    “I leave here knowing I did all the right things,” said King. “I can feel good knowing that and hopefully I’ll have another opportunity at [coaching in the CCBL].”