Ellis becomes the boss

Former Wild Things second baseman Ryan Ellis (pictured) has been named manager of the Savannah Sand Gnats, the New York Mets' affiliate in the Class A South Atlantic League.

Ellis is the first former Wild Things player to be a manager in affiliated ball. Jeff Isom, who was the Wild Things' manager in their first two seasons (2002-03), is entering his fifth year as a manager in the Milwaukee Brewers' system.

Ellis was a second baseman for Washington under Isom and hitting coach for two seasons under John Massarelli. Ellis led all Frontier League second basemen in fielding percentage in 2002. He left the Wild Things to 2006 to become head baseball coach at his alma mater, Steel Valley High School. That summer, he joined the Mets' minor-league coaching staff. He's coached at all four minor-league levels (Rookie, Class A, AA and AAA).

The last three years, Ellis has been on Savannah's coach staff.

Ellis was removed from the Wild Things' active roster in the second half of the 2003 season – he was replaced by Blake Woods – and added to the coaching staff. I recall that one of the three reasons Isom gave for the roster move was "We think Ryan will be a good manager one day."

"I'm excited for the opportunity to manage in Savannah," Ellis said in a statement. "I'm excited about being in Savannah for my third year. I've had some good years in the past in terms of developing guys, and I'm looking forward to helping out."

Among Ellis' coaches are former major league pitcher Glenn Abbott and former Pirates jack-of-all-trades Benny Distefano.

"'Ellie' is the perfect guy to manage this club," Gnats team president John Katz said. "His fiery enthusiasm and passion for the game is evident from the moment you meet him, and having big-league veterans on the staff is just icing on the cake."