Local fans have another reason to take in professional baseball games next summer at BellSouth Park. Wellman is back -- not with Chattanooga -- but with the Mississippi Braves.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the Atlanta organization has replaced Mississippi Braves' manager Jeff Blauser with former Lookouts' manager Phillip Wellman.
Wellman replaces Blauser, who managed the 2006 M-Braves through a disappointing 58-80 season. Blauser, who managed just a year, has been offered a non-managerial position in the organization, Braves director of player development Kurt Kemp said. Blauser was a roving infield instructor before becoming Mississippi manager.
The Braves have not yet named a replacement for Brian Snitker as manager at Class AAA Richmond. Snitker was named Atlanta third base coach after Fredi Gonzalez became manager with Florida.
Chino Cadahia was also added to the Atlanta staff as bench coach. He will be replaced as minor league field coordinator by Tommy Shields, his assistant last season.
The Braves named John Coppolella, formerly with the Yankees, as director of baseball administration, replacing Tyrone Brooks, who took a job as a scout with Cleveland.
Minor league pitching coordinator Bill Fischer also must be replaced. He took a similar job with Kansas City.
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Adapted from article on ehe Atlanta Journal-Constitution website.
Wellman, who was a colorful manager with the Lookouts, was known for his unique rants-and-ravings whenever an umpire ejected him from a game.
Click to enlarge photo.
- Photo2 by Tim Evearitt (file photo)