ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Make that Manager Wild Thing.

Mitch Williams, who struggled with his control as a reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies almost a decade ago, became manager of the minor-league Atlantic City Surf on Monday.

Williams replaced former Cincinnati infielder Tommy Helms, who resigned after 2½ seasons under what general manager Mario Perrucci called a mutual agreement.

Williams, who earned the nickname "Wild Thing" in his 11-year major league career, is best known for surrendering a World Series-winning home run to Toronto's Joe Carter in 1993, when he pitched for the Phillies.

He joined the Surf, of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, last spring as pitching coach and has pitched occasionally for the team.

In 11 appearances last year, Williams was 4-3 with a 3.85 ERA. On June 19, he picked up a win, allowing five hits and walking three in a five-inning appearance against the Newark Bears. He probably won't pitch any longer now that he's manager, team spokesman Chuck Betson said.

"Mitch is excited," Betson said. "This is something he's always wanted to do. Now he gets the opportunity."

The Surf are in last place in the league's Southern Division, with a 23-31 record.

During his 2½ years, Helms had a .465 winning percentage.

He took a six-game leave of absence for personal problems in May, and was suspended for three games after an argument with Nashua (N.H.) Pride coach Butch Hobson.

Helms, 61, a former National League rookie of the year with the Reds, will take a front-office job, advising the team on baseball operations and evaluating talent, Perrucci said.