Wally Backman is a fascinating story.
It took him seven years to climb the minor-league ladder and achieve his dream of becoming a big-league manager. It took four days for his professional life to fall apart. Now he’s suffering the same plight as many Atlantic League players: He’s out of organized ball and he’s searching for a way to get back in that door.
The Barnstormers have listed Backman as one of their managerial candidates and the former Mets second baseman has expressed interest in the job through his agent. Lancaster represents a fallback option for Backman, who hopes to get an offer from a major league organization.
How strong is the Barnstormers’ interest? It’s hard to say for sure.
Team president Jon Danos called Backman’s candidacy “intriguing” but also expressed concern about the skipper’s background, including several incidents from this past season. “We’ll have to do our homework,” Danos said.
Backman certainly comes with baggage. He was fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks in November of 2004 after a DUI arrest and alleged spousal abuse became public knowledge in a New York Times article. He also has a history of anger management problems that bubbled to the surface when he was managing the South Georgia Peanuts of the South Coast League.
According to an AP article …
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Backman was suspended three times, he tussled with the league over everything from umpiring to drug policy, he confronted another team’s radio announcer – he even quit and vowed to head home to Oregon.
“I’ve been that way my whole career, as a player and a manager and everything else,” said Backman, who resigned from the Peanuts briefly before returning to the team. “That’s not going to change.”
This persistent lack of composure is the downside to hiring Backman. Here’s the upside: He’s great at the job. He won a Southern League title while in the White Sox system and was the Sporting News minor-league manager of the year in 2004. Players swear by Backman and that’s a huge mark in his favor.
“He’s one of the best managers I’ve ever played for,” Peanuts outfelder Jasha Balcom told the AP. “He basically has your back. He just wants you to play hard. If you make a mistake, he’ll come over, talk to you and tell you what you did wrong.”
Backman led South Georgia to the South Coast League championship. He was the team’s head of baseball operations and hand-picked the entire roster. He helped three players earn contracts with affiliated organizations. If the Barnstormers hire Backman, they’ll be getting someone who is connected and will be able to find talent. More importantly, Backman has shown he can win in an independent league environment.
The Barnstormers might ultimately shy away from Backman because of his history. They might fear that he’ll lose his temper and do something that could bring negative attention to the organization. Considering Backman’s background, that’s a strong possibility. It’ll take a certain amount of courage to give Backman the keys to a popular franchise in a conservative city – especially when family entertainment is the package this team is selling.
One thing about Danos: He’s not afraid to make a bold move. After all, he fired Frank Klebe in the middle of the season. If the other top candidates, Tom Herr and Butch Hobson choose other avenues, the Barnstormers shouldn’t be afraid to gamble on Backman. Lots of players come to the Atlantic League with blemishes that keep them out of Double-A or Triple-A. This league is supposedly built for second chances. The Barnstormers could give new life to a man whose career needs a boost.
Stay Away,stay very far away fom Wally Jerkman.
Thanks for the advice Chuckerd. I vote for Butch then Tommy.
I’ve heard nothing but good about Hobson.
Hi.. CJ and KS
Sorry but I like what I see. Why he is being blackballed is an interesting question. Tony Larusso (DUI) – still managing, Brett Myers (Domestic abuse) – still playing, Ray Lewis (we all know about him) – still playing. Now 2 managers from the past who were “out of control” – Billy Martin and Earl Weaver. In this day of “yes men” Wally is a breath of fresh air. What’s wrong about being passionate about winning?
There’s a right way and a wrong way to be passionate about winning, as you call it.
Jason pointed out the numerous positive things that Backman was able to accomplish — getting players back to affiliated ball, hand-picking a championship team, and so on.
Storming up in the press box and laying into a radio announcer — while yes, is passionate — is also ridiculous and bush league. The legal issues are just that, issues…but my biggest concern is that the guy seems to have a fairly well-earned reputation as somewhat of a jackass.
I don’t think it’s unfair — especially with the Jose Offerman incident still pending in court — to say that the Atlantic League may have an issue with their reputation, or at the very least a public relations issue.
Is winning — and Backman is a proven winner — worth all the issues that may come with it? There are guys who are just as passionate about winning who go about things the right way, guys who have their hand deep in player procurement and guys who players take less money just to play for. Butch Hobson’s a prime example of that.
The Atlantic League is a much more veteran league than the SCL, and I’m not sure Backman’s style would work well at all here.
If nothing else, it will be very, very interesting to see how this plays out.
And before anyone beats me to it, I’m well aware of Hobson’s prior issues…
Maybe Wally Ball would make the Clip Joint more exciting!!!!!
I am sure the Barnstormers want no part of that type of excitement.
The Barnstormers are fortunate to have some compelling candidates who are likely ahead of Backman on the wish list. But if Herr and Hobson take other jobs, which is a distinct possibility, Backman is head and shoulders above the other options. I’d take him and live with the other issues that come with him. Those things don’t bother me much.
I agree Jason. My pecking order would be Hobson, Herr then Backman. Remember even Charlie Manual threatened to beat up an announcer (even if it was Howard Eskin) so we all have our bad days. I just think it’s great we can even talk about the possibility of any of these 3 coming here. Backman would be the same as Herr in the fact that when a better offer comes he goes. I don’t have a problem with that. We get excited when player get picked up so why not managers and coaches.
Looking at my Game LCS tickets that would have been in Phila tonight (or Monday) …… AGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Can’t wait ’till next year!
Backman seems like a reporters dream manager! Jason, you must be chompin at the bit. At this point I say the more entertaining the better when it comes to the rigged Atlantic League. So I hope we get Backman and I hope I’m at the game when he makes national news. Plus he is a winner… even better!!
Plus how great would it be if he doesn’t play along and freaks out on the previously known as BASA operation. That could be what they fear most. Frank left quietly. Wally would probably strangle someone. GO WALLY!!!
Two things about Backman:
1. Three years ago, he was considered big-league caliber. How many independent league managerial candidates can make that claim? Of course Backman has baggage. If he didn’t, he might be in the NLCS right now.
2. Based on the stories I’ve read, players like playing for Backman and want to perform well for him. That’s huge in the Atlantic League, where motivation can sometimes be difficult to find. Hobson also seems to have that knack.
And, yes, I’d love to cover Backman because I think he’s interesting for a lot of reasons. He’d also probably teach me a great deal about the game.
He seems like fun. I loved watching the story about him and his team. He looks as if he knows his stuff and would be fun to watch. If the team respects him, all the better. Babying grown men when things are going badly does not seem like it would happen under Wally.
I am for giving Wally a chance. I would rather have a fiery manager with some baggage that gives the Barnstormers a better chance to succeed than a manager that doesnt get that excited.
It would be even more interesting to follow the Barnstormers then. I would think Wally would argue with us on the blog. He seems the type that would like a chance to argue his point.
With that said, I would not be disappointed if Butch Hobson came on board either.
All we need is some awesome fans, a manager like Wally and then when we win the championship it will be like, “Hey Bud, Let’s Party!” (I think Spicoli would love this guy)
We Could Call It “Fast Times At The Clip”
HEHE
Awesome!
I think Wally whould be more like Mr. Hand.
I bet Wally rules at beer pong!
I bet Wally hangs out with Damone.
Wally also wants to date Janelle Zimbler and Mary Ann Zlotnick.
Congrats, Stormin’. Sooners win again.
I loved the LSU –UK game. That was as exciting as the LSU– UF game, but with a better outcome.
Auburn-Arkansas was another great game. Down to the wire.
Ahhh yes the highs and lows of Wally.
Luckily for Wally, he has one of the better celb mug shots.
http://www.mugshots.com/Sport/Wally+Backman.htm
I bet Wally had a strange relationship with his mom. You know the types, Moms who aren’t big on affection .. like Mr. B’s
That might explain a few things.
I also would guess that for a white guy he can eat mad fried chicken!
As Wally tries to move on to a better job he probably really appreciates the double standard that exists …….
La Russa’s drunken driving hearing postponed until December
October 15, 2007
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa’s drunken driving hearing was postponed until Dec. 3.
La Russa did not appear in court Monday when the hearing delay was announced. He was arrested March 22 and charged with drunken driving after police said they found him asleep inside his running sport utility vehicle at a stop light near the Cardinals’ spring training facility in Jupiter.
Two breath samples registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.093 percent and 0.092 percent. Florida’s legal driving limit is 0.08 percent.
La Russa later apologized. The four-time manager of the year led the Cardinals to a World Series title last season.
Updated on Monday, Oct 15, 2007 10:48 am, EDT