Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria “quizzed” people at Citi Field during the weekend about Wally Backman’s readiness to be a major league manager, according to a report in the New York Post.
Loria was in attendance in Queens as his Marlins were swept in a four-game series by the New York Mets.
The Miami Herald reported on Sunday that manager Mike Redmond’s job is in jeopardy and Backman is a candidate to replace him. Backman manages the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas.
April 19
After a humbling and disastrous four-game sweep at the hands of the New York Mets this weekend at Citi Field – a sweep that now leaves them with the second-worst record in the majors at 3-10 – the Miami Marlins are in panic mode. At least that’s what some are saying in South Florida.
Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald is reporting that manager Mike Redmond is on the hot seat and that his job may be in jeopardy as the team heads to Philadelphia for a series with the Phillies that could decide his fate.
Sources say the organization is already bouncing around possible replacements and one possibility being considered is Mets Triple-A manager Wally Backman.
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria would have no problem firing his manager this early in the season as he has been down this road before, firing Jeff Torborg in May of 2003, and Fredi Gonzalez in June of 2010.
Sources say Loria is not happy with the team’s play and he agreed with Giancarlo Stanton who blasted the team on Friday and saying that they lacked fire.
Many were looking at the Marlins has a surefire contender for a wild card spot this season and some were projecting Miami for a 90 win season.
Obviously Backman would certainly fit Loria’s desire for a fiery manager to replace the laid-back Mike Redmond. But I believe it’s way too early to think they would really ax Redmond this soon. However, with Loria, you never know.
That said, a source close to the Las Vegas manager told Daily News reporter Kristie Ackert, that neither Backman or his representatives, have been contacted by the Marlins yet. (Daily News)
