75 % chance RT @Ben_Yoel: In your opinion, what are the chances Backman is managing #Mets next season?
David Lennon
lenno212
Aug 13
According To Lennon, Wally Will Be Next Mets Manager 3 Out Of 4 Times
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52 comments
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
GravediggerHebner
8/13/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know exactly why but the title of this post cracks me up.
Now excuse me I have to throw these bats, balls, gloves, cups, shoes, snacks and expletives out onto the field.
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I worded it that way on purpose. So in fact Mets will hire and fire Wally 3 times as well. Hopefully for Wally he makes it more than 4 days this time.
oleosmirf
8/13/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
i think so too. the thing is though, all of his former players rave about him and he has a very good track record in the minor leagues.
I do think they should fire Manuel now and give Wally a little test run before they name him the permanent manager.
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Good track record? Really? He would be one of the least experienced managers in Mets history, right?
oleosmirf
8/13/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
well the diamondbacks certainly thought he was experienced enough in 04 when they hired him.
bias aside, the guy wins in the minors and his players love playing for him. isnt that enough?
njstuckintx
8/13/2010-12:14pm at 12:14 pm (UTC -4)
And Wally might keep Frankie from snapping and taking out BP catchers.
Kidding aside, I don’t have a problem with this. My mind has visions of Guillen Lite, but I have to say I’d take that. What I would prefer is the Kenny Williams/Ozzie Guillen combo…
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
True, they did.
Not the point.
As to your point he wins…
8, 5, 2, 6, 8, 1, 3, 2, 1, 5 his places through 2008 including only 4 of those in MILB, rest in Independent leagues.
njstuckintx
8/13/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
umm…
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry trying to learn table abilities.
oleosmirf
8/13/2010-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
how many games did Willie Manage before his Mets debut?
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Damn NJ is killing NY in LLWS.
stickguy
8/13/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
Tom’s river is more like a semi-pro team. They have an academy and everything, and year round training and professional coaching.
they also kind of cheated and merged with a whole bunch of other LL operations, so they had a bigger pool of kids to pick from.
Kind of like rooting for the yankees, or the east german swim team.
oleosmirf
8/13/2010-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
kids from Toms River are also mutants
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
“Backman recovered and went on to manage Class A Winston-Salem in 2001 and Double-A Birmingham in 2002 and 2003. The 2002 team won the Southern League title. Backman was considered to be a candidate for the parent team Chicago White Sox managerial job after Jerry Manuel was fired following the 2003 season. However, reports emerged that Backman had been not-so-discreetly rooting against the White Sox during the season, in the hopes that Manuel would be let go and the managerial position would open up. As a result, the White Sox organization severed ties with Backman and he was hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks to manager their Class A Lancaster affiliate. “
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
After leading Lancaster to the California League championship series and being named The Sporting News’ Minor League Manager of the Year in 2004, Backman was interviewed for major league managerial jobs by the Mets and the Diamondbacks. Backman was hired as the 2005 Diamondbacks’ manager on November 1, 2004. Immediately afterward, reports became public that Backman had previously been convicted of DUI in 2000, pleaded guilty to harrassing a female friend of his family in 2001, and accused of spousal abuse by his ex-wife. He had also filed for personal bankruptcy in 2003. The Diamondbacks admitted that they had not conducted a financial or criminal check of Backman before hiring him, and fired him on November 5. On December 4, 2004, Backman was sentenced to 10 days in jail. He had been placed on probation after the 2000 DUI, and the 2001 arrest violated the terms of that probation.
njstuckintx
8/13/2010-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
Like the considered after Manuel was fired irony
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
Or even more how the ultimate team player in Wally was fired for not being a team player.
stickguy
8/13/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
it’s like deja vu all over again.
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
He returned to managing in 2007, guiding the South Georgia Peanuts to the South Coast League’s inaugural title. However, his season was marked for a disgraceful incident in which it was alleged in the media that Backman had physically attacked a young broadcaster for the Anderson Joes after he had criticized one of Backman’s on-field tantrums. However, the incident was filmed by the camera crew of the TV show “Playing for Peanuts” and according to the producer and crew, there was no physical contact and the nature of the argument was largely misrepresented by reporters who were not witness to the events.
metsfan4decades
8/13/2010-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
No, the ‘reporters’ largely misrepresented the details of the incident?
I find that hard to believe…….Reporters always get the facts right, and never, ever twist said facts to sensationalize the story…
saltygary
8/13/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
For a team that needs to stop the “Circus” Backman would be the perfect choice.
TRS86
8/13/2010-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
Nice sarcasm.
hazmet
8/13/2010-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
imo I believe the reason Wally could be the next Manager of our team would be that he would be the cheapest hire. Bobby V or any other top candidate would command too much in dollars and control. No such issues with Wally just lot’s of baggage. For the owner’s an interesting moral play for the image concious Wilpons. The cost saving choice vs. the baggage. After the past couple of years I find myself saying why not go the full bore into the breach and the potential madness of Wallyworld 2.0. If I can’t have Bobby V and a manager I actually understand then I’ll ready for more potential comedy & tragedy baseball style and maybe at the end of the madness a new ownership group if the Wilpon’s financial issues are real as rumored.
TRS86
8/13/2010-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
Then go with Teufel. He has just as much of a right to manage the Mets as Backman and just as cheap.
hazmet
8/13/2010-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
I like that, I can go with that, great suggestion. He’s also been paying his due’s longer in the system.
hazmet
8/13/2010-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
Testing, new Gravatar
metsfan4decades
8/13/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
Wally B….nice. LOL…..
oleosmirf
8/13/2010-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
forget independent leagues. Wally Backman has managed 4 full seasons in the minor leagues (not counting first place 2010 cyclones)
2001 A+ 54-86 (Last Place)
2002 AA 76-61 (1st Place + League Champs)
2003 AA 73-64 (3rd Place + Lost in Semis)
2004 A+ 86-54 (2nd Place + Lost in Finals + MILB manager of the year)
Hired as DBacks Manager but fired after reports emerged
now you might disagree but I think being a manager for 4 years in the minors is more valuable than Willie Randolphs 10 years as a base/bench coach in the Majors…
GravediggerHebner
8/13/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that managerial experience, at whatever level in whatever league, is more relevant than coaching a base in the majors.
Regarding Backman there is the accusation (that I can’t prove or refute) that his winning seasons were the result of “stacked teams” (rosters filled with players that by some standards should have been in more advanced leagues).
Ultimately I agree with the sentiment expressed above that the guy who has been paying dues in the organization should be rewarded with a promotion – Teufel – before Backman gets consideration.
I would like to think manager Teufel might have a spot on his coaching staff for Backman and that what Wally brings to the game could be utilized positively in that role.
oleosmirf
8/13/2010-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
i want the best manager possible. i want someone who will implement proactive tactics like the hit and run, will not let the players run the show and most importantly understands statistics and uses them correctly to decide what player should be used.
Mr North Jersey
8/13/2010-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
I agree with you Oleo I also simply want the best manager possible.
Right now I don’t know who that is. It may be Backman or may not. Whomever it is I hope they have the following skill sets.
Smart baseball strategist
Great at nurturing young talent
Demands nothing but excellence 24/7 starting with himself
TRS86
8/13/2010-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
I am not sure if I agree about the experience part. To me a guy who has been at the MLB level for a long time still has the advantage over a guy who has managed mostly in the ID league or at best Single or Double A. Yes you have to be a manager to get managerial experience but when do you learn to deal with Major leaguers?
GravediggerHebner
8/13/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
Understood. Ideally I would want someone who had experience as a manager AND experience as a coach at the MLB level.
But if I can only have 1 or the other I would lean strongly toward someone who had managed before because I’d rather the thing they have to learn be “how to deal with primadonnas” than “how to run a baseball team.”
Mr North Jersey
8/13/2010-3:14pm at 3:14 pm (UTC -4)
well said
rustyjr
8/13/2010-3:15pm at 3:15 pm (UTC -4)
agreed
TRS86
8/13/2010-3:25pm at 3:25 pm (UTC -4)
True. I guess it depends on what that “coach’s” goals were while being a coach. If he wanted to be a manager I am hoping he was observing every move. Perhaps even going to the manager and letting him know your goals.
You are right having both is better.
I guess, NJ don’t read this, I am pulling from personal experience. I had coached at the middle school level as a head coach, AAU for 15 years and in 500+ games and was not ready for a HS head coaching job until I assisted on that level.
rustyjr
8/13/2010-3:27pm at 3:27 pm (UTC -4)
well what do you think about the case of Gil or Yogi? Both had very little expierience before becoming managers and yet both had sucess
TRS86
8/13/2010-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
True, there are exceptions to every rule I guess. Back then I think things were a little different to but I won’t get into that.
rustyjr
8/13/2010-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
understood
Mr North Jersey
8/13/2010-3:58pm at 3:58 pm (UTC -4)
I am not sure why you felt the need to bring my name up but your personal experiences are nice cause they give some insight as to explaining your outlook on certain things.
For those that don’t know I told TRS that I have said that his personal experiences as a coach being what they are and all don’t mean that is how it is in Professional Baseball or that trying to draw a comparison between his coaching experience and coaching in Professional baseball is something I have difficulty taking seriously at times.
That is not to say TRS is not an exceptional coach. I have told TRS already that I am sure he is a very good coach.
I just have difficulty taking seriously at times the comparisons.
oleosmirf
8/13/2010-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
prime example being players learn things in their career and could understand the managerial aspect of the game just through longevity and desire to learn.
you dont get that attitude from 13-18 year olds in 4 years…
rustyjr
8/13/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
well I think that it is safe to say that we have a better shot of Ellis Valentine managing the Mets than we do Bobby Valentine
GravediggerHebner
8/13/2010-3:19pm at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
On the topic of Wally as manager this link from twitter:
http://bit.ly/9PhMC1
Hat tip to tweeter mets_fan711
Mr North Jersey
8/13/2010-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
Thx for the link Grave.
rustyjr
8/13/2010-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
i say thats a real vote of confidence
kingman 26
8/13/2010-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
Mets “Manger”??
Is this some sort of Christmas prediction??
TRS86
8/13/2010-3:45pm at 3:45 pm (UTC -4)
Damn.
GravediggerHebner
8/13/2010-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
Like I said the title cracked me up! 8)
kingman 26
8/13/2010-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, you both rule. What can I say?
I recently read a great piece on here suggesting replacing Jerry with Wally…glad to see it is catching on….
rustyjr
8/13/2010-3:53pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
I say trot Mo Vaughn out there with a fake mustache and eyebrows and sell him as Bobby V
oleosmirf
8/13/2010-5:58pm at 5:58 pm (UTC -4)
how about joe mcewing as next manager!!!!!!