Where are they now?

Bruce Baldwin
 

The Wild Things have had more than 300 players pass through their clubhouse doors since they debuted in 2002. If you're a regular reader of this blog, then you know what some former players, coaches and front office people have been doing since they, to steal a phrase from Chuck Noll, have gotten on with their life's work. You know about Chris Sidick and his C-Side Sports Academy, you see Kent Tekulve on Root Sports, you know that Jeff Isom (Joliet), John Massarelli (Kansas City in the American Association) and Mark Mason (York in the Atlantic League) are still managing, and you might have bumped into Ross Vecchio scouting for the Seattle Mariners or working at California University.

But what about everybody else?

Some people have remained in baseball, others are working in whatever field their college degree has taken them. There have been success stories of former players becoming businessmen, government officials, politicians and even a TV "star." And just like in the "the real world" there have been some disappointments, like a former player being arrested for heroin possession.

I decided today to do a Google search and try to find out whatever happened to some of the people who we watched play, coach and manage baseball over the past 12 years. I picked players at random and here's what I learned about some of the people who popped up on my computer screen:

Bruce Baldwin - The former second baseman (2005) is one of the most interesting former players. He has worked for the U.S. Department of Defense and is currently Assistant Regional Security Officer for the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda. Baldwin also held the same role at the U.S. Embassy in Sudan. He was recently named "One of 20 Prominent George Mason University Alums."

John Cahill - The Wild Things shortstop in 2003 and '04 is manager of the North Shore Navigators, a team based out of Lynn, Mass., that plays in the summer Futures Collegiate Baseball League,

Andy Carter - Though he put up good numbers, Carter pitched in only 2 games for the Wild Things in 2006. His is now an assistant coach at Davidson University.

Chris Carter - Former outfielder (2005 and '06) is in his 5th season as Director of Baseball Operations at his alma mater, Coastal Carolina University.

John Delaney - Solid fielding third baseman for Washington in the second half of the 2010 season. Is currently associate head coach at his alma mater, Quinnipiac University.

Mark Dewey - The Wild Things' pitching coach in 2010 and '11. After two years as a coach in the Class A Florida State League, Dewey will be an assistant pitching coordinator for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Justin Edwards - Wheeling, W.Va., native who is in his second year as an assistant coach at his alma mater, West Liberty University.

Chad Ehrnsberger - Third baseman on the Wild Things' first team, in 2002, Ehrnsberger is an assistant coach at Ohio Northern University. Ehrnsberger almost won the Ohio state golf championships while in high school, and he spent three years as Ohio Northern's golf coach.

Ryan Ellis - Versatile second baseman on the 2002 and ;03 teams, Ellis is in his third year as manager of the St. Lucie Mets of the Class A Florida State League.

Darin Everson - The Wild Things' manager in 2010 and '11, Everson will be in his second year as the hitting coach for the Tulsa Drillers, the Colorado Rockies' affiliate in the Class AA Texas League.

Alex Gett - Played for the Wild Things late in 2007 when they were running low on pitchers heading into the playoffs. Was on the team that went to the finals. He's now a minor league strength coach of with the Kansas City Royals and will be working with their Appalachian League team in Burlington this year.

Mike Grady - Lefty reliever on the 2005 team is the pitching coach for Malone University in Canton, Ohio.

Drew Hoisington - Outfielder in 2008 who hit one of the most unlikely walkoff homers in Wild Things history. He's the head coach at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio.

Josh Loggins - The only Wild Things player to win the Frontier League MVP award (2003). Loggins is a financial advisor for Prudential Financial Planning in Lafayette, Ind. He also has coached in the Colt league World Series (ages 15 & 16).

Todd Marlin - The Wild Things' general manager in 2010 and '11, Marlin is back in baseball. He was hired earlier this month as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Brockton Rox of the independent Can-Am League. After leaving Washington, Marlin spent two years as senior sales manager for the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H.

Nick Massari - Played second base for Washington in the second half of the 2006 season. He is Assistant General Manager of Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J. He oversees all baseball and softball events at Diamond Nation, including the Jennie Finch Softball Academy and the Jack Cust Baseball Academy.

Brian McCullough - Second on the 2009 team in wins, McCullough is the head coach at Longwood University, an NCAA Division I program in the Big South Conference.

Kyle Padgett - The shortstop on the Wild Things' 2007 team that went to the league finals, Padgett is the head coach at Bishop O'Connell in Arlington, Va.

Nick Peterson - Definitely one of the most interesting post-Wild Things careers. Peterson was a relief pitcher for Washington in 2009, saving 10 games. Two years later, Peterson was on television in "The Bachelorette," a show in which a woman dates 25 men and picks a winner. Peterson was eliminated in Episode 5. In 2012, Peterson was on another elimination-style reality game show called "Bachelor Pad" that was shown on ABC. Peterson won the competition, winning $250,000. I'm not a expert on reality shows, but from what I've read Peterson had an opportunity to share the money in the final episode with a female who was working as his "partner" on the show, but he opted to keep all the cash for himself. That has set up another show for Peterson, something called "Courting America." It seems to be a show in which Peterson goes around the country trying to prove that he's a nice guy. As for his real job, Peterson is a trainer in Tampa, Fla.

Adam Revelette - Pitched in one game for the Wild Things in 2007. His is a volunteer assistant coach at Baylor University.

Ricci Rich - The Wild Things' on-field MC in their first two seasons (maybe more - can't remember), he's now the athletic director at Moon Area High School in Coraopolis, Pa. If you're not from Western Pennsylvania, Moon is the alma mater of John Calipari.

Kris Rochelle - Former Wild Things catcher (2008-09) is an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Charlotte.

Andy Schindling - Went 4-3 in 11 starts for the Wild Things in 2009. Is owner of The Complete Player LLC, a baseball academy in Odenton, Md.

Craig Snipp - The Wild Things' opening day pitcher in 2009. His is an assistant coach at Lexington Catholic, a very good program in Kentucky.

Matt Swope - Outfielder (2005) still holds the Wild Things' record for longest hitting streak. After co-hosting a popular radio show in Baltimore, Swope is in his second year as the Director of Baseball Operations at his alma mater, the University of Maryland.

Todd Weaver - Second baseman was in Washington very long after being drafted by the Wild Things in 2003, but he's now the head coach at Berea College, an NAIA school in Kentucky. Berea plays in the same conference as Point Park.

Kyle Werman - Popular second baseman (200-07) is an assistant coach for St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia.

Shane Winkler - Primarily used a pinch-runner over the second half of the 2004 season, Winkler is now in his sixth season as the head women's softball coach at Charleston Southern University.

Matt Yurish - Pitched in 3 games for the Wild Things in 2008. Is an assistant coach at Alderson-Broaddus College.