The things you find on cable television

While scanning my cable system's program guide, I found this entry on the MLB Network for Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.:

MLB Network Presents

Lenny Randle, "The Most Interesting Man in Baseball"

Yes, that's the Lenny Randle who was a coach for the Wild Things in 2012.

I don't know if Lenny is the most interesting man in baseball or not, but I can tell you he was the most unique person who ever walked through the Wild Things clubhouse. Also, knowing Lenny's penchant for talking, I don't know how MLB edited this program down to a one-hour window. I once interviewed Lenny for 30 minutes and asked only three questions.

Former Beach Bums manager Langbehn hired

A day after the Washington Wild Things moved manager Bob Bozzuto into a front office position, they announced the hiring of Gregg Langbehn as Bozzuto’s replacement for the 2016 season.

Langbehn is the ninth manager in Wild Things history, and the seventh in nine years.

Langbehn managed the Traverse City Beach Bums from 2008-13, compiling a 267-212 record and took them to the Frontier League championship series in 2010.

“I am excited to become the manager of the Washington Wild Things upon my return to the Frontier League,” said Langbehn. “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 postseason.”

Langbehn’s most successful season came in 2012, when the Beach Bums went 64-32 and Langbehn was named the Frontier League’s Manager of the Year.

“As we began our search, Langbehn stood out above all the others,” general manager Steven Zavacky said in a news release.

“He comes with experience and most importantly, with both knowledge and success in the Frontier League. He will be a great addition to our team.”

The 46-year-old Langbehn was an 11th-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 1998 and played in the minor leagues for the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. He reached as high as Class AAA. Langbehn was a left-handed pitcher who had a 48-43 record and 3.32 ERA in the minors. The Schofield, Wisc., native finished his playing career in 1995 with Pawtucket of the International League.

Prior to managing in the Frontier League, Langbehn coached and managed in the Houston Astros organization. He spent the last two years as replay coordinator for the Cleveland Indians.

Bozzuto compiled a 58-68 record after being named manager Aug. 2 of the 2014 season. The Wild Things advanced to the league semifinals that year. Bozzuto was on the Wild Things’ coaching staff in 10 of the last 11 seasons. He submitted his resignation as manager in October. His new responsibilities with the team have not been announced but he will report directly to ownership.

Bozzuto out as manager, named vice president

By Chris Dugan
Sports editor
dugan@observer-reporter.com

Bob Bozzuto is out as manager of the Wild Things and has been given a front office position with the Frontier League team.

Bozzuto, who was a member of the Wild Things’ coaching staff for 10 of the last 11 seasons, including the last 129 games as manager, resigned from his coaching job and was named Monday as the team’s administrative vice president.

“Personally, I needed a change,” Bozzuto admitted. “This way, I can have a little bit of summer.”

Bob Bozzuto

Bozzuto, a Greensburg resident who also is the athletic director at North Allegheny High School in Wexford, joined the Wild Things’ coaching staff in 2005. He became manager under a bizarre set of circumstances late in the 2014 season, after manager Bart Zeller unexpectedly resigned with the Wild Things in first place on July 6. Washington used a “coach-by-committee” before coach and former major leaguer Bob Didier resigned from the staff Aug. 2. Bozzuto was named manager later that day.

Bozzuto was able to steady the Wild Things through a rocky period and guided them to the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They won a wild-card playoff game at Evansville before losing to River City in the semifinals.

“I’m disappointed because one of my objectives was to bring a championship to Washington. The fans deserve it,” Bozzuto said. “Hopefully, I can do it in a different role.”
Bozzuto had a 58-68 record as manager. Washington was 42-54 this year and finished in fifth place in the seven-team East Division.

“With the addition of his tenure as field manager for the 2014 and 2015 teams and his experience as the athletic director for North Allegheny, Bob is the best possible adviser to assist us as we move our sports and entertainment venue (Consol Energy Park) into the future,” Wild Things managing partner Francine Williams said in a statement.

Bozzuto submitted his resignation as manager in October. He is not sure exactly what his new duties and responsibilities will entail. He will report directly to ownership.

“We’ve talked and we’ll meet this week and work out everything,” Bozzuto said. “There are a lot of things behind the scenes that have to improve. Nobody in the organization knows all the facets of being out on the road, the long bus rides and staying in lousy hotels. … I think I can be a good ambassador for baseball and the Wild Things.”

Bozzuto admitted the 100-mile trip that he would make from Greensburg to Wexford to Washington and back to Greensburg was taxing, but he will miss the grind.

“I tell people that I was excited about my job every time I made the drive up the hill to the ballpark because I never took it for granted,” Bozzuto said. “I always looked at it as a privilege. I will miss coaching, absolutely.

“The Washington Wild Things mean a great deal to me and my family. But they needed a change after 10 years. The organization needs some fresh ideas and a new outlook.”

Washington hasn’t announced a replacement for Bozzuto, though former Traverse City Beach Bums manager Gregg Langbehn has been rumored for weeks to be the Wild Things’ next manager. Langbehn spent five years in Traverse City before taking a job in 2014 as the Cleveland Indians’ replay coordinator.