The Washington Wild Things have shaken up their organization by making moves in the clubhouse and front office.
The team has promoted manager Bob Bozzuto to administrative vice president. He will report directly to Francine W. Williams, the organizations managing partner.
Bozzuto — who is also the Athletic Director for North Allegheny Schools — worked his way through the ranks with Washington being part of the team since early 2000 as bench coach, infield coach, hitting coach, and third base coach. He was a part of the 2005 squad that recorded a club-record 63 wins en route to the Frontier League Championship Series.
Bozzuto took over as manager of the club in 2014 and led them back to the playoffs. He led the team to a 40-56 record last season.
The Wild Things have hired Gregg Langbehn to take Bozzuto’s place in the dugout. Langbehn spent eight years pitching in the Mets, Red Sox and Brewers minor league organizations before beginning his coaching career. He recorded a 48-43 record with a 3.32 ERA in 263 games (71 starts) and made it as high as AAA three separate times.
His most recent managerial stint came with the Traverse City Beach Bums from 2008-2013 leading them to the Frontier League Championship Series in 2010. His overall record with the club was 267-212 with his best year coming in 2012 when he led the Beach Bums to a club-record 64-32 mark while earning Manager of the Year honors.
“I am excited to become the Manager of the Washington Wild Things upon my return to the Frontier League,” said Langbehn when he was introduced. “I look forward to working with the front office staff as we prepare for the 2016 season and continue to assemble our roster in our quest of returning the Wild Things back to the post-season”
The Wild Things also made a trade sending the contracts of OF CJ Beatty and RHP Tim Giel to the Sussex Miners of the Can Am League in return for outfielders Jamal Austin and Ryan Mathews as well as a player to be named later.
Austin batted .293 with one home run, 14 doubles, eight triples and 36 RBI last season as he started the year with New Jersey before being sent to the Miners late in the season.
Mathews posted a .246 average last season with eight home runs, 12 doubles, four triples and 35 RBI last season. His contract was purchased by the Oakland Athletics where he played in one game with AA Midland.
