Comments on: The Next Mets Manager http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/ New York Mets news, game recaps, opinion, and analysis Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:41:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Walnutz15 http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-11191 Walnutz15 Fri, 09 May 2008 12:52:47 +0000 http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-11191 A buddy of mine played ball for Wally Backman down in Lancaster. As a life-long diehard Met fan (playing in the Arizona system) -- he said that the experience was more surreal than even becoming a professional ballplayer...in that he put Backman on a pedestal as a kid, because of their scrappiness and aggression on the field. I tried getting "the real" stories out of him, pertaining to the "Wally Experience" -- but he just left it in terms of baseball. Said Backman was a great coach, that he learned alot as a player (and in terms of coaching -- he now coaches himself) and that there was no one better, in terms of getting his players to run through the proverbial wall for him. And this was a very successful team -- sporting the likes of Conor Jackson, Dan Uggla, Carlos Quentin, Reggie Abercrombie..... Very good, solid players there.....and I guarantee they all hold a special place in their baseball-heart for Wally Backman. A guy who molded them down at the lower levels. I don't think they suffered too much because of whatever Backman may have had going on off the field......very unlikely the Mets ever bring Backman in, but I wouldn't even hesitate to say: he'd be a great manager. A buddy of mine played ball for Wally Backman down in Lancaster.

As a life-long diehard Met fan (playing in the Arizona system) — he said that the experience was more surreal than even becoming a professional ballplayer…in that he put Backman on a pedestal as a kid, because of their scrappiness and aggression on the field.

I tried getting “the real” stories out of him, pertaining to the “Wally Experience” — but he just left it in terms of baseball. Said Backman was a great coach, that he learned alot as a player (and in terms of coaching — he now coaches himself) and that there was no one better, in terms of getting his players to run through the proverbial wall for him.

And this was a very successful team — sporting the likes of Conor Jackson, Dan Uggla, Carlos Quentin, Reggie Abercrombie…..

Very good, solid players there…..and I guarantee they all hold a special place in their baseball-heart for Wally Backman. A guy who molded them down at the lower levels. I don’t think they suffered too much because of whatever Backman may have had going on off the field……very unlikely the Mets ever bring Backman in, but I wouldn’t even hesitate to say: he’d be a great manager.

]]> By: Meet the Peanuts -- Mets Today http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-11184 Meet the Peanuts -- Mets Today Thu, 08 May 2008 19:59:07 +0000 http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-11184 [...] In case you hadn’t read any of the hype yet, this series is an inside look on a minor league baseball team, which happened to be managed by former Met fan favorite Wally Backman. By the end of the summer, I guarantee you will have a completely different image of Backman, and wonder why the heck he doesn’t have an MLB managing job. [...] [...] In case you hadn’t read any of the hype yet, this series is an inside look on a minor league baseball team, which happened to be managed by former Met fan favorite Wally Backman. By the end of the summer, I guarantee you will have a completely different image of Backman, and wonder why the heck he doesn’t have an MLB managing job. [...]

]]> By: vincent http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-11180 vincent Thu, 08 May 2008 18:47:06 +0000 http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-11180 Terrific points her regarding Wally. Willie is not the guy. I think the the team bought into Willie for a little while early on because he came with some success after working for Torre but he's not the right fit for this team. He's better suited for a team that has recognizable leaders, he then could apply his "more a friend than a manager" approach. But this team is underachieving and has no visible leaders on the field. Beyond that, he has been out-coached and made poor decicions this year on at least six occasions that I've seen where he hasn't made the right pitching change and on double switches. We had Valentine who was a master strategist, never saw him get out-coached, however, he didn't connect with the players, got the feeling they didn't want to play for him. Willie connects well with his players but cannot generate any importance, urgency or fire with this team. Feels like their doing the best they can on their own. I'm sick and tired of Willie's post game interviews with him saying "we'll be o.k., it's early...we're stuck in a rut but we'll climb out of it." And i'm even more tired of hearing fans and TV commentators say "well he can't go out there and play for them...it's up to the players when their on the field." A good team with a good manager takes the managers direction and expectations onto the field. How many times have you heard a guy like Pinnela say something like " it will all work itself out." A guy like Pinnela says "I'm here for you and behind you but don't think for a second that anything but winning is acceptable." Sorry if i have to do the '86 flash back but one memorable thing for '86 was that teams feared facing the Mets. This team cannot survive for another moment without it and will not be feared if first they don't start to believe in themselves and secondly, win because of that belief. Took me a long time to get here but with all of that mentioned above, Wally is a great choice he could be our Ron Gardenhire or Joe Girardi, the young unknown who got the chance and succeeded. Terrific points her regarding Wally. Willie is not the guy. I think the the team bought into Willie for a little while early on because he came with some success after working for Torre but he’s not the right fit for this team. He’s better suited for a team that has recognizable leaders, he then could apply his “more a friend than a manager” approach. But this team is underachieving and has no visible leaders on the field. Beyond that, he has been out-coached and made poor decicions this year on at least six occasions that I’ve seen where he hasn’t made the right pitching change and on double switches.
We had Valentine who was a master strategist, never saw him get out-coached, however, he didn’t connect with the players, got the feeling they didn’t want to play for him. Willie connects well with his players but cannot generate any importance, urgency or fire with this team. Feels like their doing the best they can on their own. I’m sick and tired of Willie’s post game interviews with him saying “we’ll be o.k., it’s early…we’re stuck in a rut but we’ll climb out of it.” And i’m even more tired of hearing fans and TV commentators say “well he can’t go out there and play for them…it’s up to the players when their on the field.” A good team with a good manager takes the managers direction and expectations onto the field. How many times have you heard a guy like Pinnela say something like ” it will all work itself out.”
A guy like Pinnela says “I’m here for you and behind you but don’t think for a second that anything but winning is acceptable.” Sorry if i have to do the ‘86 flash back but one memorable thing for ‘86 was that teams feared facing the Mets. This team cannot survive for another moment without it and will not be feared if first they don’t start to believe in themselves and secondly, win because of that belief.

Took me a long time to get here but with all of that mentioned above, Wally is a great choice he could be our Ron Gardenhire or Joe Girardi, the young unknown who got the chance and succeeded.

]]> By: joe http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-9777 joe Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:29:06 +0000 http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-9777 Agreed that MLB is sensitive to gambling issues ... but this is the first I've heard anything about Backman associated with gambling. Could you point us to a resource? Agreed that MLB is sensitive to gambling issues … but this is the first I’ve heard anything about Backman associated with gambling. Could you point us to a resource?

]]> By: seatofmypants http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-9773 seatofmypants Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:25:42 +0000 http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-9773 As I recall, the bigger issues with Wally were concerns for his financial issues, and issues about gambling. Some people who gamble are in debt, and that leaves them open to "unsavory types" that may ask for favors in return for helping them with their debt.... After Pete Rose, and the issue with the NBA official, baseball is sensative to these types of issues. Wally has a terrific ability to teach and coach, but i will be managing in the majors (unlikely) before Wally will - unfortunately. As I recall, the bigger issues with Wally were concerns for his financial issues, and issues about gambling.

Some people who gamble are in debt, and that leaves them open to “unsavory types” that may ask for favors in return for helping them with their debt….

After Pete Rose, and the issue with the NBA official, baseball is sensative to these types of issues.

Wally has a terrific ability to teach and coach, but i will be managing in the majors (unlikely) before Wally will - unfortunately.

]]> By: chicagometsfan http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-9771 chicagometsfan Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:45:47 +0000 http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-9771 Great post. I would love to see Wally as a member of the Mets coaching staff. Bobby V was the best, Wally could be right there too. Great post. I would love to see Wally as a member of the Mets coaching staff. Bobby V was the best, Wally could be right there too.

]]> By: amLinks: Schneider, Bank, Backman, Pics | MetsBlog.com http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-9766 amLinks: Schneider, Bank, Backman, Pics | MetsBlog.com Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:58:29 +0000 http://www.metstoday.com/07-08-offseason/2008/the-next-mets-manager/#comment-9766 [...] Mets Today, Joe wonders if Wally Backman could, or should, ever be considered a replacement for Willie [...] [...] Mets Today, Joe wonders if Wally Backman could, or should, ever be considered a replacement for Willie [...]

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