Wally Backman Watch: Wally Wins Again, But It Won’t Matter in the End
If the Mets lose their current series in Los Angeles, Wally Backman will likely be managing the team next week. But don’t get your hopes up – Bob Melvin was set to take over the team back in May. Ownership was going to pull the trigger after the team finished getting annihilated by the Yankees and the Phillies at Citi Field (May 21-27). This is coming from multiple sources that have knowledge of the situation.
Of course, the team won five out of six during that homestand, shutting out the Phillies for an entire three-game series.
And that is the heart of the problem. This isn’t about Jerry or Wally as much as it is about the lack of focus by ownership and the front office. If MetsToday knows that Bob Melvin was ready to take over the team back in May, you can bet Jerry Manuel knew it at the time.
Think about it – Jerry Manuel was going to be fired, but ownership wanted to wait because they felt the team had no chance of winning against the Yankees or the Phillies. That shows no faith in the team that they assembled and it shows no faith in either Jerry or Bob Melvin. It’s like a bad rewrite of the plot of Major League. In short, it’s disgusting.
So, if Jerry knows he is being set up to fail again, then Wally Backman will surely know that he is being set up to fail. And if the manager has no faith in his front office, it follows that the players will lack trust in their manager, GM and owner. It’s a vicious cycle and it shows no sign of letting up.
Another reason not to get your hopes up – if Wally Backman does take over, he will be taking over a team with no chance of making the postseason. Furthermore, there is no way the front office will acquire any outside talent at the trading deadline. In short, the team will be left to twist in the wind for the final two months of the season. Wally Backman may be a fiery manager who deserves a shot to manage in the big leagues, but getting Backman at this point is just a desperate maneuver by a team looking to sell tickets on the memories of the 1986 World Series team.
Anyway, Wally Backman’s Brooklyn Cyclones won again yesterday, defeating the Lowell Spinners by a score of 4-3. The Cyclones remain in first place and now own the New York-Penn League’s best record.
This is incorrect. IF Jerry goes, Wally is the replacement. Heyman is reporting based on what was supposed to happen in May. It has been confirmed by our sources.
I’m not saying the team is dogging it. I’m just using a dog as an example of something that is what it is. The Mets are a losing franchise based on nepotism and favoritism. This is the second time Jeff and Omar botched a managerial change (third time, if you count the Melvin non-hiring back in May).
Omar needs to go and Jeff needs to go. That’s it.
Sell. The. Team.
I understand what you are saying, but this team showed fight for the first 3 months of the season. It played with heart, it fought back, even when down multiple runs. They need something to wake them up and get back to that never quit mentality. They have been sleepwalking since the All Star Break.
BTW I have nothing against Bay, Santana & Beltran, and I think Santana and Beltran have been worth their contracts and Bay probably will be in the long run. However, I really think any and all moves from here have to be rebuilding moves, with a view towards 2011 and beyond. 2010 is sunk.
But… there is one person on this team who is signed to a reasonable or even attractive deal, is hitting well, and would be highly coveted by other teams, to the extent that he could command several premium prospects (ARMS PLEASE) in return. He’d be a great second banana somewhere, and speed the turnaround that this team inevitably needs. Who is the Twins’ 3B right now, Nick Punto?