Former Mets Triple-A skipper Wally Backman has long been said to have a tense relationship with the organization’s baseball operations department, and his recent departure has led to a public back-and-forth. Once viewed by some as a future MLB coach or even manager in the organization, Backman is now on the market looking for a new team after six campaigns with the Mets.
Things started when Backman left the organization recently, with GM Sandy Alderson stating that he had resigned. Reports surfaced suggesting that the former big leaguer — a member of the ’86 Mets World Championship squad — was actually relieved of his duties owing to a “pattern of defiance” in his handling of the Mets’ top affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s.
Backman released a statement today (courtesy ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin, on Twitter) in which he thanked the ownership group but said he “didn’t see a future with the Mets at the major league level at this time.” Expressing a desire to coach or manage in the majors, Backman said he’d look elsewhere.
That all seemed peaceful enough, but Backman also stated in a WFAN interview that he felt “the respect wasn’t there” from the club (also via Rubin). He added that he “felt I earned more than I’ve been given,” citing his role in helping the organization to draw several big league contributors (James Loney, Rene Rivera, Jose Reyes). Backman further contested suggestions from reports that he had failed to follow organizational dictates to plug Brandon Nimmo in the leadoff hole and play Michael Conforto against lefties. “Whoever put that out there, the source within the system, they lied,” he said. “And that’s the part that pisses me off.”
Those comments did not include any particular vitriol against GM Sandy Alderson, who has reportedly never been a fan of Backman. The former 51s skipper said only: “I thought [Alderson] respected me as a baseball person. I guess I wasn’t the prototypical person that he liked.” But Alderson did not take kindly to the idea that Backman had been treated without proper regard in failing to earn a promotion to the MLB staff, as Mike Puma of the New York Post tweets. “That’s disrespectful?” queried Alderson. “Yeah, right. Okay.”
Whether or not Backman will be viewed by other teams as a possible major league asset remains to be seen. He states that he is versed in and open to stat-driven approaches despite his old school reputation. Regardless, he’ll no longer be looked upon by Mets fans as a possible replacement for skipper Terry Collins, who has helped guide the club back into Wild Card position after some rough stretches in the middle of the year.
Lol
I’m a Mets fan. Loved the ’86 Mets. And Backman is ready to spin off the planet. Issues in AZ as well…
I wish Backman would punch out baby Wilpon
It’s not Wilpon. He actually saved his job a few years ago. It’s Alderson who disrespects him
It’s funny he said he played a big role in the loney/Rivera/Reyes signings. Haven’t all three of them been dfa’d this year, congrats you lured three guys other teams didn’t want to New York.
And all effective for us. So be quiet
If what James Loney has done for your team makes you content, you’re doing it wrong. Aside from hitting, fielding and baserunning, he’s a pretty decent player.
Next will be Wally claiming credit for the development of Syndergaard.
Mets fans have always loved Backman for acting like this, same with the ownership and front office at the time, regarding him as a sort of cult idol at the time. Now that his playing time is over they fire him for acting the exact same way teaching new generation of mets players exact hustle skills.. Along with mouthy and disrespect of authority might add.. That Backman also had..
Odd how it’s of no use any longer when he can no longer produce on the field is it not, yet was looked at 2x as a manager in AZ and NY before shoved out the door?
Not hitting the guy up at all. He did hustle on the field for sure, just had somewhat of a Guillen complex with the mouth as regards no respect towards authority when didn’t get his way.
Was a good story on the NYP yesterday regarding him, forgot who wrote it went over some highlights of things and bridges he burned earlier in his past. Tried to remember some other things he was infamous for having done, but couldn’t other than being kind of a poor man’s pete rose hustle type player.
If you’re putting your name against Loney, Rivera and Reyes, then yeah – there’s the door.
Shut up. They’ve been effective for us
If you seriously believe that the subpar performances of either Loney or Rivera rise to the level of “effective,” you really ought to have someone explain the game of baseball to you.
And Angels fans think they’re the only organization with that kind of drama! Lol
I just don’t get why some Mets fans are so enamored of him.
Good riddance.
It seems that many of the 86 Mets have had problems coping off the field.
He must not be a fan of Tim Tebow.
Respect is earned.
One has to get along with the boss. Respect is a two way street.
For such a supposed tough-guy, he’s kind of overly sensitive.
The man wants a major league team, can’t blame him for that, and he has paid his dues… So wish him the best and move on!