The Case for Wally Backman

As the losses continue to pile up for the Mets, the question seems to be changing--what was once "will Jerry Manuel get fired" has become "when will he get fired, and who will replace him?"

The answer is Wally Backman.

Backman has seven years of managerial experience and was hired by the Diamondbacks as their manager before being dismissed because of legal (and moral) issues.

His managerial style is fiery (to say the least), and he's known for ejections, on-field tantrums, and suspensions.

In other words--the opposite of Jerry.

In 2004 Backman led his team to the California League championship series and was named The Sporting News' Minor League Manager of the Year.  It was at this point that the Mets and the DBacks came calling, and Backman was actually hired by the Diamondbacks to become their manager for the 2005 season.

Then life bit Backman harder than a brown recluse spider--word came out about a previous DUI conviction, legals issues of harassment, 10 days in jail, probation and bankruptcy.  The DBacks quickly dismissed him and life in baseball purgatory began for the former Met.

After working with some Independent Leagues the Mets hired Backman as manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones for the 2010 campaign.

As part of the deal the Mets conducted a thorough background check and they came away convinced that Backman's issues are behind him.  That said, the team is taking a cautious approach and they have Backman on a very short leash.

My personal opinion is that Wally is exactly what this club needs right now.  He works well with young players, would light a fire under the vets, and his handling of the bullpen in the minors was exemplary.

He is everything Jerry Manuel is not.

There is likely a zero percent chance that Backman takes the reigns this year as Mets skipper, but he could be the lightning in a bottle the club desperately needs.

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1997	Catskill Cougars	Northeast League	3-23	8th	Independent Leagues		replaced Edgar Perez (18-39)
1998	Bend Bandits	Western Baseball League	43-46	5th	Independent Leagues
1999	Tri-City Posse	Western Baseball League	48-42	2nd	Independent Leagues	League Champs
2000	Tri-City Posse	Western Baseball League	40-50	6th	Independent Leagues
2001	Winston-Salem Warthogs	Carolina League	54-86	8th	Chicago White Sox
2002	Birmingham Barons	Southern League	79-61	1st	Chicago White Sox	League Champs
2003	Birmingham Barons	Southern League	73-64	3rd	Chicago White Sox	Lost in 1st round
2004	Lancaster JetHawks	California League	86-54	2nd	Arizona Diamondbacks	Lost League Finals
2007	South Georgia Peanuts	South Coast League	59-28	1st	Independent Leagues	League Champs
2008	Joliet JackHammers	Northern League	43-53	5th	Independent Leagues