Comments on: Talkin’ Baseball With Bisons Manager Wally Backman

By: Petey Pete

Petey Pete — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:03:54 +0000

Wow thanks Maniac, really appreciate it!

By: Met Maniac

Met Maniac — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:57:37 +0000

You are one of my favorite MMO writers Pete. I remember when this site only posted good stuff like this back in the day when our Mets debates were much different and more fun. I’m sure Bayonne is going to love this when he sees it. I can imagine him starting another Wally for manager campaign though. Good to read these posts from you.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:44:13 +0000

What do you guys think are the chances of Wally finally getting promoted to bench coach next season?

By: mjthompson03

mjthompson03 — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:19:54 +0000

I had the opportunity to talk to Wally last September in St Louis after game 2 of the Mets/Cards series. While waiting for Jose to walk out for a possible photo op or a handshake, out comes Wally Backman! I’m watching him walk down the sidewalk past people who had no idea that this Met legend is passing them. I’m thinking, “crap, should I wait for Jose or chase down Wally?” Luckily Jose came out with sunglasses on like he was with the Beatles acting untouchable with his bodyguard Angel Pagan clearing the way so I bolted! I ran down towards Wally leaving my wife and buddies in the dust! We sat there for about 30 minutes talking baseball and I too was nervous as all get out. There are so many things that I would have loved to talk to Wally about, but I had serious brain dump. I know one thing is for sure, he hasn’t changed. He doesn’t hold back on his opinion and didn’t feel at all uncomfortable telling us about his thoughts on certain aspects of the team! I think that was the best part, shooting the breeze with Wally Ball as if I had known him for years! He was supposed to meet us at Mike Shannon’s (a watering hole near Busch Stadium) for a cold one, but he stood us up! It’s all good, I was stood up by Wally Backman! Next day at the game I saw him walk out of the clubhouse into the dugout and he waved at me. I asked him, “why did you stand us up!?” He just shrugged and smiled! Very proud moment in my life!

By: danXtanna

danXtanna — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:15:00 +0000

Nice piece w/ the best manager I have ever seen. I love that Wally keeps shrugging off the notion of Familia to the pen stuff. He is is spot on.. Familia is a starter no doubt about it & quite frankly probably has the more dominant stuff of any of the prospects.

Go WallyBall! see you in ’13 if the Mets 2012 seasons is a disaster or otherwise see you in ’14.

By: any

any — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:50:37 +0000

I would not be surprised to see Collins retired in the not too distant future (just from getting tired out), but I don’t see any problem with intensity or leadership from him. That’s the last thing they need to worry about replacing.

By: Original Mets Fan

Original Mets Fan — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:23:57 +0000

This was a very welcomed surprise this morning and fun to read. Backman always left it all on the field as a player and even back then I always knew he would one day be managing. Hopefully it wont be long until he gets the call to manage the Mets. We could use his intensity and leadership on this team.

By: srt

srt — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:55:35 +0000

Great read. I really enjoy these.
Good to read what Wally has to say about Familia and the type of pitche he thinks he’ll be. Sounds like he’s got no doubt he’ll be a successful starter in the bigs.

Not sure when you were there for this interview but good thing you had the opportunity to meet Chris Schwinden in person. He should be on his way to CO to take Pelfrey’s spot as I type this.

Looking forward to the rest.

By: Petey Pete

Petey Pete — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:10:13 +0000

Thanks guys!

By: Paul Festa

Paul Festa — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:00:20 +0000

Great interview, Pete. I’d be nervous too. Incidentally, I love a good Salty Parker reference.

By: Petey Pete

Petey Pete — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:05:15 +0000

Hahah! Tooo funny MNJ! Thanks man! I loved Batman.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:59:26 +0000

Excellent post man! I love Wally Ball and he will be the Mets manager in 2014!

By: Joe D

Joe D — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:46:01 +0000

SPECIAL NOTE:

We are going to have a Live MMO Chat next Thursday when the Mets are off.

Pete will be fielding questions on the Mets minors, we will have someone tackling the MLB Draft. while I field questions on the Mets.

It looks like we’ll probably schedule it for 7:00 PM and it will run for 90 minutes. I’ll post more about it after the weekend.

By: Mr North Jersey

Mr North Jersey — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:36:29 +0000

Coach: Skip, what happened?

Backman: I don’t know. I told the kid to make himself at home next thing I know he passes out on the floor mumbling something about fresh farm eggs 12 cents a dozen.

Coach: Fans…

Awesome read Pete. You know when you ended saying “Be sure to stop back ” all I could think of was the old Batman tv show where the narrator ends with tune in same Bat time same bat channel.