As we reported on Monday, general manager Sandy Alderson announced that Wally Backman has resigned as manager of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, thus severing ties with the New York Mets organization.
“He has decided to move on and look for other opportunities, including the possibility of a major league coaching position,” Alderson said. “We wish him well. Been the Triple-A coach and manager since I have been here, wish him the best of luck.”
Backman confirmed as much shortly after, telling followers on Twitter: I have officially resigned from the Mets organization. Thank you to all of the Mets fans for your support over the years.
It’s no secret that both Backman and Alderson were rarely on the same page and there were several instances in recent years that Backman had become more combative and resistant to some of the front office protocols and directives on player development.
Mike Puma of the New York Post cites a team source who says Backman was fired by Alderson, citing various reasons including not using Brandon Nimmo at leadoff, and sitting Michael Conforto against lefties. Although I’m not so sure that’s so true.
Just a week ago, Backman practically accused the big-league coaching staff of ruining Conforto, while proclaiming how he was fixed after a few days with him. Additionally, he took far too much credit for the readiness and development of all the young arms, when it was Frank Viola who deserved most if not all of the credit.
The same source who spoke to Puma, also said Backman would have been fired three years ago if not for Jeff Wilpon’s intervention.
Reached by phone, Backman declined comment, but said he would have “plenty to say later” and knowing Backman believe me, he will.
The reality is that Backman, who has managed in the Mets minor league system for seven years, was never going to manage the big league team as long as the current front office remained in place. He was never a Sandy Alderson guy and at times their relationship was very tenuous to put it mildly, or acrimonious if you were to listen to those who were in the know.
Expect Backman to fire some retaliatory shots at some point in the future, because this isn’t the type of guy that will leave quietly.
I would imagine that Backman leaving to pursue MLB opportunities was a canned response because I know for a fact that the Mets have always made Backman free to interview for any major league position.
One report says that Backman resigned is a preemptive move because he learned that he was being fired at season’s end.
The problem for Wally was that very few teams ever inquired about him even though it was well known the Mets wanted to rid themselves of him.
Backman, who won manager of the year honors for the PCL league in 2014, had become a cult hero of sorts for some Mets fans who hoped he would one day take over managing duties of the major league club. But that was never happening.
Whatever the truth might be, fired or resigned, the Wally Backman era with the Mets is finally over. I would expect Double-A manager Pedro Lopez to be the likely replacement for Wally as the manager of the Las Vegas 51s, but we’ll see what Sandy has planned this offseason.
