Binghamton Mets manager Pedro Lopez has joined the Mets coaching staff for the remainder of the season.
However, Las Vegas manager Wally Backman will not be joining Terry Collins’ staff, according to ESPN New York. Backman was added to the Mets coaching staff last year.
Not surprised at the Backman snub, but I’m happy for Lopez whose done an outstanding job guiding the B-Mets to a franchise best 86-55 record this season and a division title.
As I mentioned last week, and you can read below, Backman is as good as gone and the Nats will likely grab him.
Original Post
Last week, when I wrote that Terry Collins being re-signed to manage the Mets is virtually a slam dunk, I also mentioned that it could spell the end of Wally Backman‘s days with the Mets.
Today, Mike Puma of the New York Post, fuels that somewhat after a Mets source told him that Backman could have his “hand forced” to leave the organization if he’s not offered the major league managerial position or at least a spot on next year’s coaching staff.
Backman has become a very polarizing figure in the Mets fan base over the last 2-3 years, despite his recent success managing the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas that is currently playing in the Pacific Coast League playoffs.
There are rumors from some baseball people that Backman will likely join former Mets manager Davey Johnson with the Washington Nationals if the Mets fail to offer him a major league managing or coaching position.
There’s no way that Backman will ever manage the Mets under Alderson. Collins is more malleable and less controversial than the outspoken Backman and it fit’s Alderson’s organizational goals just well.
You either love Backman or hate him, that’s always been the sense I get from fans. But either way, there’s absolutely zero chance that he’ll ever manage the Mets and ultimately that will drive him to another organization, and it’s very likely that it would be the Nationals.
