12
2011
Backman Will Not Be Joining The Nationals
An article by Hojo's Mojo
[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/#!/washingnats/status/123826426372825088"]
Original Post Oct. 11, 5:45 AM
According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, Wally Backman will not join the Nationals coaching staff.
According to Mike Puma of the NI Post, Wally Backman, a candidate for the Mets’ managerial opening last offseason, could soon leave the organization, according to a team source.
The fiery Backman, 52, is considering the possibility of joining Davey Johnson’s coaching staff with the Nationals — likely as the third-base coach. The Nationals have not yet officially announced Johnson will return next season, but that is considered a formality.
The source indicated the 68-year-old Johnson may look to groom Backman for the managerial job, much in the same manner Bobby Cox took Fredi Gonzalez under his wing with the Braves before retiring. Johnson was Backman’s manager with the Mets in the 1980s, a run that culminated with a World Series title in 1986.
Last season, Backman managed Double-A Binghamton to a 65-76 record and it’s been reported that he is the front runner to manage Triple-A Buffalo in 2012.
I was surprised that Backman wasn’t offered a coaching position with the Mets last week when they shook things up and added Tim Teufel while parting ways with Chip Hale, Ken Oberkfell and Mookie Wilson. Wally is itching to get back to the majors so I have no doubt he’ll grab a coaching job with the Nats if they offer it to him.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
14 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 25 | 18 | .581 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 21 | .523 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 21 | 23 | .477 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 17 | 24 | .415 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 12 | 32 | .273 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/19/2013
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hojo,
keep an eye out for teufel, there’s talks HE might be the next manager in waiting for the mets if the mets struggle under collins next year.. riggleman might be our bench coach and wally might go to the nationals, i think is a good hire for them, but remember, if the mets want wally to be their manager, then wally will be the manager.. let’s see how it plays out
Teufel is ahead of Backman in the Mets organizational hierarchy. Teufel would get a shot at the MLB job before Backman. I think Backman sees this, is (rightfully or not) pissed about it, and ready to move on.
hard to see how he could (or should) be pissed.
He was pretty much blackballed by MLB after the AZ debacle. Only the Mets were willing to give him a shot to get back in and rebuild his career. And he only spent what, 2 years in the Mets system? Certainly not enough time to feel like you got passed over for anything.
so, if he has a chance to get into a ML job already, he should certainly jump at it, but not because the Mets “screwed him over” or some such thing.
While I wouldn’t put it past Wally to feel slighted (forgetting why he is even in baseball again to start with),
I agree if he jumps ship you can’t really say it is because of that. Teufel coming up before him might be adding insult to injury (remember the battles of sharing time with Teufel when he was a player here)
But more than likely the reason he would jump ship would be as you stated (to get back in the MLB) and even better, to work for Davey again!
Teufel has been managing in the Mets system for the last 8 seasons. Backman for 2 seasons. Why shouldn’t Teufel be a rung above Backman on the ladder of future managerial candidates?
Well who was given a chance to be manager last year? Teufel or Backman?
If Teufel was in the running he would have been interviewed last year as well!
Wally is being groomed to take over if Collins gets the boot.
I don’t see why Collins would get the boot mind you but Wally is taking the Davey Johnson track here!
Johnson also was considered to take over but his lack of experience was a problem. Cashen said I want my manager to work his way up with the kids he will manage in the Majors! KNOW THEM intimatly so he can use them to their best adavantage!
That seems to be what is happening with Backman!
Started out in Brooklyn and moving his way up each year!
Teaching the kids and if Collins should ever wear out his welcome by the time his contract runs out Backman will have an entire MiL roster of HIS GUYS to coach once they are ready to promote them!
“Well who was given a chance to be manager last year? Teufel or Backman?
If Teufel was in the running he would have been interviewed last year as well!”
Neither.
For all we know, Backman was interviewed as a courtesy or to get some fans hyped. Maybe they asked Teufel and he declined to even interview.
Who do you think is closer to being manager? The guy who has 2 years in the organization and as of this post is managing the AA team, or the guy who has been in the organization 8 years, managed the AAA team last year and was just named to the big club’s coaching staff?
LOL I love you man!
You are just so easy to malign!
Whenever you start off a sentence with:
“FOR ALL WE KNOW”
You are basically admitting “YOU KNOW NOTHING!”
Basically with all your admitted intelligence you can’t come up with the correct answer!
IGNORE ON!
I put little to no stock in anything Puma says myself. Other than the pieces fitting for this to be plausible making it interesting to ponder nothing Puma wrote suggests anything more than speculation of the possibility.
Puma never says if the source itself is just speculating or saying so due to direct talks with Backman or any source connected to Backman or Johnson. All it says is “could soon leave the organization, according to a team source”. That is like me saying Reyes may soon sign with another team.
It makes sense. Davey Johnson absolutely loves Backman. Johnson’s Washington Nationals are a young talented team. Wally Backman’s strength is working with young developing players. It’s a great career move for Backman. I hope the reporting is correct and Backman joins Johnson’s staff. Good for him! Lots of Met coaches jumping ship. I guess they don’t want to be coaching a losing team for the next 5 yrs. Can’t blame them.
“Wally Backman’s strength is working with young developing players.”
How so?
Another Met on the way out and another Oakland A possibly on the way in (Geren)
Everyday it gets harder and harder to actually root for this team.
The 4, the D, or the B to 161st Street. There’s also a Metro North stop if you feel so inclined.
If you are driving, I-87 (The Major Deegan Expressway) to Exit 5.
enjoy.
Why don’t we put them in a manager platoon similar to their playing days.Tuefel manages when a lefty starts and Backman manages when a righty starts.We can call it “Dynamic Managing” and the Wilpons can charge different ticket prices depending on who the manager is that day.What a joke this franchise is.Pujols, Fielder and Sabathia can be had by the owner writing out a check and instead we get to hear about how Wally Backman might be leaving.Who gives a rat’s behind?