5
2009
Backman To The Mets, Omar Reaches Out To Former GMs
An article by Hojo's Mojo
I really don’t understand what the big fuss is about bringing Wally Backman to the Mets, but apparently according to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the Mets will offer Backman a job on one of their minor league teams, possibly at Class-AA Binghamton where there is a managerial vacancy.
The Mets are leaning toward giving 1986 hero Wally Backman a second chance. Backman, a fiery leader from that championship 1986 team, recently called for a job in the organization, and the Mets are likely to give him a minor league role.
In the last few months, there has been some growing sentiment in the Mets blogosphere for actually bringing Backman to the Mets as a replacement for Jerry Manuel. I have nothing against Backman, but there is nothing to suggest in his resume that he would be any improvement over Manuel who despite his flaws, has a better resume and is much more accomplished than Backman. Plus Manuel, if nothing else, is a consummate professional and is quite capable in dealing with the New York media. Manuel deserves at least one full season with a healthy squad.
Why are so many fans obsessed with overlooking the best available candidates for lesser qualified candidates who were former Mets?
I don’t get it, and it sounds totally illogical to me.
In other Mets news, Omar Minaya acknowledged that he has reached out to former San Diego GM Kevin Towers and Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi, both of whom were recently fired over the weekend.
I think San Diego was nuts for firing Towers who did an outstanding job with few financial resources to work with during his tenure with the Padres. And yet he led them to four post seasons. I hope Towers does take a job with the Mets, if only so we have an excellent replacement for Omar Minaya should he fail again in 2010. Towers would be a great addition to the Mets Player Development as Vice President, but it’s more likely he declines and takes a job as GM elsewhere, maybe even the Blue Jays.
As for Ricciardi, no thanks. Three reasons why I say that is first the Vernon Wells contract, second the Alex Rios contract and subsequent waiver claim by the White Sox which netted the Jays nothing in return, and finally the botched up handling of Roy Halladay at the trade deadline. Halladay did not deserve to be treated that way.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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I’ll take Towers over Ricciardi any day as GM.
Towers is one of the most respected GM’s in baseball. We could hire him as team president.
we should hire Towers to replace Minaya
Wally Backman has a stellar resume managing in the minor leagues. His strange hiring and firing by the D-Backs a couple of years ago delayed his progress, as issues of alcohol abuse and domestic violence became debate for public fodder.
Backman’s managerial reputation is that he galvanizes the clubhouse and is an excellent in-game strategist. I think the organization could utilize his skills at the AA level, with a view toward promotion if his performance warrants advancement and a ML managerial posts materializes.
Agree with your views on Towers and Ricciardi. To Towers, welcome aboard; to Ricciardi, no thanks.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
TOMMY, I WAS PLEASANTLY SUPRISED BY ‘DIRT’ GETTING THIS OPPORTUNITY, IF NOTHING ELSE, PERHAPS HE CAN INFUSE SOME GRIT INTO POTENTIAL FUTURE METPLAYERS. TALENTWISE HE DID MORE WITH THE LITTLE GOD GAVE HIM THAN MANY MORE TALENTED PLAYERS PRESENTLY AMONG THE 25. PERHAPS IT PORTENDS THE END OF ‘BLACKBALLING OF KEY ’86 CONTRIBUTORS FROM ONFIELD GUIDANCE?
Backman is a time bomb. We might as well get Milton Bradley in here as well. Bradley and Zambrano (another doozy) and a year’s supply of Xanax for Castillo and Ollie. Or we keep Ollie and make it two year’s supply of Xanax. Listening to the Mets yesterday was so disheartening. It is impossible not to conclude that Jeffie boy is just a spoiled kid in way over his head. Omar and Jerry have the expertise—give me a break.
So the mets now have jerry, omar, wally, ollie, luis—-all guys no other team would hire for their present positions with their organizations. What does this tell you about their ability to evaluate personnel.
I like the Backman hiring! I’d love to see him put in a sold year at AA then move up the the major league level coach 3rd base actually.
He’s a grown man. If he fucks up fire him.