Skip to main content

Former Muckdogs GM Wellenzohn headed to Georgia for new baseball job

By Brian Hillabush

Dave Wellenzohn has a championship ring and had a great experience while meeting "great people in Batavia".

But he was let go as general manager of the Batavia Muckdogs after this season by the Rochester Red Wings, who are owned by the Rochester Red Wings Management, LLC.

Things happen fast in minor league baseball, and Wellenzohn found his new job quickly after searching since the end of the season.

Just yesterday, Wellenzohn was hired by the Savannah Sand gnats as  Director of Tickets and Sales.

"I was the one left holding the short end of the stick (after the season)," Wellenzohn said. "I'm thrilled to be leaving Batavia. I'm happy to be going to Georgia because I've lived there before. I'm looking forward to setting up residence and hopefully being there for a while."

Wellenzohn being happy about leaving Batavia has nothing to do with the people or his experience during the season. In his interview he used the words "bitter sweet" very often. 

Batavia won its first New York-Pennsylvania League title in 45 years on September 14 and he was let go on the 15th. 

"I would not trade my experience in Batavia for anything, but I wouldn't do it again either," Wellenzohn said. "It was bitter sweet and I was the only one that lost. But it was nice. We won a championship and I met a lot of nice people."

Wellenzohn literally was ready to move back to his home town of Buffalo. He had the moving truck booked, found an apartment and had an appointment to have his satellite TV set up.

After having no luck finding a job, he was just going to head home.

But he was hired by the Sand gnats yesterday and is now looking for a place to live there, while canceling his plans to move to Buffalo.

"One of my former employees at Jamestown is there and is the public relations director for NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray, and she's helping me to find some housing. I need to find a place that allows dogs because I still have my trusty companion, my german shepard."

The Sand gnats are a full-season Class A team that is an affiliate of the New York Mets that plays in the South Atlantic League. The team has one of the oldest stadiums in the country, but there is talk of a new one being built in the near future.

He will be wearing his first championship ring when he starts his job on February 2.

"Baseball continues to move on and the calendar moves on," Wellenzohn said. "I'll be with a new team and a new affiliate, but I'll have my first championship ring on my finger. We won 50 games and that is neat. It's something I'll never forget."

Timothy Paine

I wish you the best of luck in Georgia. Even though your stay in Batavia was short, the outcome is huge on your resume. Savannah is a great town. Thanks for recognizing the "great people" in Batavia, there are a bunch of them. I can't disagree that sports and politics don't mix well. Thank for a great season, I hope you have many more.

Jan 16, 2009, 2:51pm Permalink
dave wellenzohn

As much as I like the ring of it, I am not the new GM of the Sandgnats. I'm a Director of Tickets and Sales and some marketing plus whatever else comes up.

BUT THANKS FOR THE PROMOTION HILLY,
I AM NOT GM

Jan 16, 2009, 3:33pm Permalink
Brian Hillabush

sorry about that dave. I'll fix that. I thought it was a GM role. But please, keep us informed as to how things go for you.
You will be missed in Batavia, that's for sure.

Jan 16, 2009, 4:30pm Permalink
Adam Lowder

Is this the gentleman that addressed the crowd with the microphone before and after the game, and whenever they would do an activity - such as throwing the tennis balls into the pools?

Jan 18, 2009, 9:46pm Permalink

Authentically Local