The New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League announced that former Met player and coach Wally Backman will be their manager in 2018.
“Wally Backman is a proven winner,” says Bees GM Brad Smith. “His ability to instill a winning atmosphere and put an entertaining club on the field are two significant factors in bringing him aboard. We look forward to a successful 2018 season working with Wally and hope everyone joins us in welcoming him to the Central Connecticut community.”
The Bees will play the Long Island Ducks 18 times this upcoming season.
Backman was fired last season after only 42 games in the Mexican League with the Monclova Acereros. He would join another Mexican League team as bench coach to finish out the season.
Backman managed in the Mets minor leagues for seven seasons that started with the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2010 and culminated with the Las Vegas 51s in 2016.
The former infielder also played parts of nine major league seasons for the Mets including being a vital part of the 1986 World Champion team.
