Angels tab Wellman to manage at Double-A

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Angels hired longtime Minor League coach Phillip Wellman to take over as manager for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, the team announced Tuesday.

Wellman is known mainly for his on-field meltdown after getting ejected from a Minor League game in 2007, when he covered up home plate with infield dirt, pulled third base from the ground, flung it into shallow center field, pretended to fire a grenade using the rosin bag behind the pitcher's mound, pulled out the second-base bag and blew kisses at the fans before exiting.

But Wellman has also been in professional baseball for 28 years, has won 862 games, notched a Southern League championship with the Braves' organization in 2008 and most recently served as hitting coach for the Springfield Cardinals, the Arkansas Travelers' division rival.

Wellman will lead a new coaching staff that includes hitting coach Tom Tornincasa, pitching coach Pat Rice, athletic trainer Greg Spence and strength-and-conditioning coach Joe Griffin. Former Double-A Arkansas manager Tim Bogar was hired as the Rangers' bench coach.

"I'm very grateful to the Los Angeles Angels for giving me the chance to manage again," Wellman said in a statement. "I have a lot to learn about the organization from top to bottom, but they've put good clubs here in Arkansas in the three years I've coached in the Texas League. I'm excited to be a part of it."