Ex-closer Williams quits as Atlantic City Surf manager

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Mitch Williams resigned Tuesday as manager of the Atlantic City Surf.

The former Philadelphia reliever, known as "Wild Thing," left the Atlantic League team "to pursue other business opportunities," the Surf said.

Williams took over as the manager of the Surf on July 1, 2002, replacing Tommy Helms. He then directed the Surf to a record of 45-22 and the second-half South Division championship of the Atlantic League.

In the playoffs, Atlantic City lost 2-1 to the Newark Bears in a best-of-three series. The Surf finished the 2002 season with the best overall record in the league at 73-57.

In his first full season as Atlantic City's manager, Williams went 63-63 in 2003. His career record with Atlantic City was 112-90.

Williams joined the Surf as the team's pitching coach before the 2001 season. He is best known for surrendering the World Series-winning homer to Toronto's Joe Carter in 1993.

Williams was the third manager in Surf history, following Doc Edwards (1998-99) and Helms (2000-02).

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