Phillip Wellman managed the Lookouts (Cincinnati) from 1999 to 2003 before moving on the manage the Atlanta Braves Double-A affiliates, Greenville and Mississippi.
photo by Tim Evearitt
SAN ANTONIO - Early Thursday afternoon, the San Diego Padres and the San Antonio Missions announced the field staff for the 2016 season.
Managing the Missions in 2016 will be Phillip Wellman, who enters his first season in the Padres organization and his 32nd in professional baseball. This season will be Wellman's fifth straight in the Texas League (he was out of baseball in 2015). Wellman's last managerial post came in 2014 when he guided the Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim AA) to a 75-65 record and a second-half North Division title.
Prior to arriving in North Little Rock, AR, Wellman served for three seasons as the hitting coach for the Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals AA). In Springfield, he mentored Texas League Player of the Year winners Matt Adams (2011) and Oscar Taveras (2012).
"I'm ecstatic to be returning to the game," said Wellman. "It's a pleasure and honor that the Padres saw fit to get me back in baseball."
The 54-year old skipper was born in Marlin, TX, but grew up in San Antonio. Wellman attended Madison High School, graduating in 1980.
"Coming back to San Antonio makes this opportunity even more special," said Wellman, who played collegiately at both Sam Houston State and Southwestern University. "I was raised in this city and it will be great to be back around so many family and friends."
Wellman played four seasons of minor league baseball, from 1984-87, for the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations. In 1985 for the Class A Sumter Braves, the third baseman/outfielder hit .269 (103-for-383) with a career-high 21 homers and a career-high 78 RBI.
He began his coaching career in 1988 as the hitting instructor for the Pulaski Braves (Atlanta Rookie) of the Appalachian League. After two seasons in Pulaski, Wellman continued in the same capacity for both the Burlington Braves (Atlanta Class A) in 1990 and the Durham Bulls (Atlanta High-A) in 1991.
Wellman's managerial career began in 1992 with the Baltimore Orioles Gulf Coast League affiliate. He has also piloted the independent Lethbridge Mounties of the Pioneer League (1993-94), the independent River City Rumblers of the Appalachian League, the Winston-Salem Warthogs (Cincinnati Reds High-A) of the Carolina League (1996), the Burlington Bees (Cincinnati Class A) of the Midwest League (1997-98), the Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati AA) of the Southern League (1999, 2001-2003), the Mississippi Braves (Atlanta AA) of the Southern League (2007-2010) and the aforementioned Travelers. In 2008, Wellman led the Mississippi Braves to a 73-66 record and a Southern League championship. He has steered teams to the playoffs in five other seasons. In 16 seasons as a manager, Wellman is 937-1004.
"I'm excited for Phil to join our club," said Missions President Burl Yarbrough. "He's a great baseball guy with lots of experience that I know our team will benefit from. It's also great to have someone who grew up in San Antonio manage our club."
Wellman and his wife Montee have two children, Britnee and Brett, and reside in Chattanooga, TN. Brett is currently a catcher in the Toronto Blue Jays system.
--- Source: MLB.com
Phillip Wellman was well-known for his disagreements with umpires.
photo by Tim Evearitt