Wally Whack-man

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Puma reporting Mets fired Backman today, citing a failure to bat Zimmo leadoff and for sitting Conforto vs lefties.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Well, I'm quite surprised by this!

[Lefty Specialist]

I'm not surprised. He wasn't going to stay in Vegas forever.

[ashie62]

Surprised by the reason. Was Wally obstinate?

[Frayed Knot]

Ashie62 wrote: Was Wally obstinate?

I think Wally Backman translates to 'Obstinate' in some upper German dialect.

[Frayed Knot]

From the Puma:

“I will have plenty to say later,” Backman said.
A source added that Backman was told he would have been fired three years ago if team COO Jeff Wilpon hadn’t intervened on his behalf.
Backman was a finalist for the Mets managerial opening when Terry Collins was hired before the 2011 season, but clashed with Alderson on numerous occasions afterward.
According to a source, Backman was reprimanded in writing by Alderson before the 2015 season because the GM was unhappy that Backman made public comments about the organization’s young pitchers. Alderson was also ruffled by Backman’s boast that he would fix Ike Davis, after the slumping first baseman was sent to Las Vegas.


http://nypost.com/2016/09/12/mets-fire-wally-backman-after-manager-went-rogue/



FK: Not that I can claim to have seen this coming, but neither am I surprised.
I just never saw Wally as a Sandy type of manager and doubted that he'd ever be given the top job which essentially meant that it was always just a matter of when they'd part company rather than if unless Wally was content to remain a company man forever and I didn't see that happening either.

Edited September 12, 2016 by Guest

[HahnSolo]

Seven years in the system...didn't look like he'd ever get the big club. it was probably time.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Frayed Knot wrote: “I will have plenty to say later,” Backman said.

Quick, someone get a crazy-tell-all book deal with him!

[Lefty Specialist]

My guess is Wally's at least a six-pack into his evening by now.

[Edgy MD]

Marc Carig wrote: Heard Mets cited a pattern of defiance in firing Wally Backman.

Yup, that's that name of my new band. Pattern of Defiance.

[metirish]

This reporter covers the team




Betsy Helfand
‏@betsyhelfand
Backman: "Choosing to resign was my decision. Period." Said he chose to resign because he didn't see a future at the ML level w/the Mets.

[Frayed Knot]

You can't fire me, I QUIT!!

[youtube:2q38uuy8]GwFqBa3lpKE[/youtube:2q38uuy8]

[Edgy MD]

It's certainly a matter of curiosity that both parties deny he was fired, neither is throwing dirt on the other (yet, anyhow) and multiple outlets (frequently citing unnamed sources) are reporting him as fired and that animosity carried the day.

Tune in tomorrow.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

metirish wrote: This reporter covers the team Betsy Helfand ‏@betsyhelfand Backman: "Choosing to resign was my decision. Period." Said he chose to resign because he didn't see a future at the ML level w/the Mets.

That's probably the best way to phrase it for both parties.

[metirish]

If players are to be believed then Wally should get a ML job?, although the fact that he is loved by his players might also stand against him.

[Zvon]

I think Wally, if what he says is any indication, will be throwing some deep dirt in the next few.
Sucks if this is the way it ends with Wally & the Mets.

[metirish]

Throwing shit though will hardly help him get a ML job , best ti bite his tongue.

[Zvon]

metirish wrote: Throwing shit though will hardly help him get a ML job , best ti bite his tongue.

Agreed. Lets see if he's become any wiser over the years. I think he has, but you never know with Wally.

I expected to see him at the helm someday. I'm gonna miss him

[Edgy MD]

It is, however, a reality of his career that he'd been stalled in the Mets organization. He'd spent eight years in the system, four in Vegas. He may have honestly reasoned that it was time to shop his qualifications elsewhere.

Paul Molitor may certainly lose that Twins job, and maybe his old buddy Gardenhire will endorse him there. Certainly will be a handful of teams shopping this offseason. MAYBE ARIZONA!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Generally I think minor league coaching arrangements are year-to-year type deals so he probably wasn't fired, just pointedly not asked to return, and it's probably true Wally wouldn't want back anyhow if the background stuff we're hearing is so so in a sense fired/quit is accurate.

[Centerfield]

I wonder if any other AAA manager got as much press as Wally. Not sure why the draw. I get that he's an 86 Met, but no one writes about Teufel.

As for Wally himself, he never seemed that bright to me. And all things considered, I'd like to have a bright guy at the helm. But that being said, from their announcing gigs, Lou Pinella and Dusty Baker seemed pretty dumb to me, and it's hard to argue against their record as managers.

So what the fuck do I know.

[Edgy MD]

Centerfield wrote: Not sure why the draw. I get that he's an 86 Met, but no one writes about Teufel.

Scrappy and fiery. Soily and foul-mouthed. Hero of the people.

There are still people out there willing to begin sentences with, "If Pete Rose was managing this team ... ."

[Frayed Knot]

Plus there's always a certain percentage of fans who pine for a manager who they believe will small-ball his way to success and they see Wally as that guy.
This is particularly true when you've got the kind of HR-dependent offense like the Mets have now. I know Yanqui fans were forever busting on Torre for not bunting more often (as if THAT was the path to success when you have 12 different 20-HR guys on your roster) and it's probably still their main complaint about Girardi, misplaced though those sentiments may be.

[Guest cooby]

I never liked Wally. Really scruffy and disgusting looking. The kind of guy a girl avoids.

I felt the same about Davey Johnson, actually.

Good managers though, I guess

[Benjamin Grimm]

I guess cooby and Margie Backman have a low similarity score.

[Edgy MD]

Margie ditched his tobacco-stained ass.

Margie liked me.

[Guest cooby]

Is she on the [crossout:3un3vont]Wifey Watch[/crossout:3un3vont] thread? I should check her out

Edit: Stripper thread

Edit again: Edgy, LOL

[Edgy MD]

Things that made me sad: stumbling across his daughter's college athlete bio and seeing that she included "Personal: Daughter of Margie Backman… ," but nothing mentioning her little big-shot dad.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Wow.

[Guest cooby]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Wow.

You mean "Exercise Science Major" ?