Master Index of Archived Threads


Wally Whack-man

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 12 2016 10:00 PM

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

Benjamin Grimm Sep 12 2016 10:45 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Well, I'm quite surprised by this!

Lefty Specialist Sep 12 2016 11:10 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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

Ashie62 Sep 12 2016 11:27 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Surprised by the reason. Was Wally obstinate?

Frayed Knot Sep 12 2016 11:40 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Ashie62 wrote: Was Wally obstinate? I think Wally Backman translates to 'Obstinate' in some upper German dialect.

Frayed Knot Sep 12 2016 11:50 PM Re: Wally Whack-man Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 12 2016 11:50 PM

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- ... ent-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.

HahnSolo Sep 12 2016 11:50 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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

d'Kong76 Sep 12 2016 11:52 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 12:23 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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

Edgy MD Sep 13 2016 12:33 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 01:42 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 01:46 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

You can't fire me, I QUIT!! [youtube:2q38uuy8]GwFqBa3lpKE[/youtube:2q38uuy8]

Edgy MD Sep 13 2016 02:25 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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.

Mets Guy in Michigan Sep 13 2016 02:27 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 02:29 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 02:31 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 02:34 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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

Zvon Sep 13 2016 02:37 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 02:47 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 13 2016 11:52 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 01:28 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 01:31 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 01:39 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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.

cooby Sep 13 2016 01:56 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 02:05 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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

Edgy MD Sep 13 2016 02:06 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Margie ditched his tobacco-stained ass. Margie liked me.

cooby Sep 13 2016 02:09 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 02:30 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

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 Sep 13 2016 02:35 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Wow.

cooby Sep 13 2016 02:44 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Wow. You mean "Exercise Science Major" ?

seawolf17 Sep 13 2016 02:48 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Edgy MD wrote: stumbling across his daughter's college athlete bio How on earth does someone just stumble across that? You're hilarious. Centerfield wrote: 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. Also, pretty much all of this.

Frayed Knot Sep 13 2016 02:56 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

John Harper in the Snooze sums up, perhaps unintentionally, some of the Backman allure by passing off speculation as if fact that needs no explanation: "Suffice it to say that Backman would have made the Mets a better ballclub this season, either as third-base coach if management wanted to move Tim Teufel into the role as bench coach, or as the bench coach himself." And we know this how, John? Harper goes on to admit that his views are colored by a fondness for Backman from his days of covering him as a ballplayer -- and, as usual, reporters are fond of those with loose lips which fill up their notebooks -- which is pretty much the same logic fans use to assume that he'd be a better manager than [insert random guy without 1986 NYM ties].

Edgy MD Sep 13 2016 04:07 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

seawolf17 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: stumbling across his daughter's college athlete bio How on earth does someone just stumble across that? You're hilarious. Say Wally gets promoted to the big league coaching staff (if only just as a September addition, as he has once or twice in the past), well, that Wifey Watch thread isn't going to update itself.

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 05:42 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Wally joining Francesa at 2:05 PM today to tell his side of da stawry.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 13 2016 06:03 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

[Prepares finger sandwiches, dram of brandy] [Dons Oriental smoking jacket, silk slippers] [Settles in sitting room with radio, prepared for the classiest interview he's ever heard]

cooby Sep 13 2016 06:04 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Maybe his old buddy Lenny will show up to give his views

d'Kong76 Sep 13 2016 06:05 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

That should be some fun radio, unfortunately I can't listen.

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 06:08 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

"Lack of respect...the respect wasn't there." Wally's not bitter.

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 06:10 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Says he passed the word up on Loney (Vegas played against him as his out-window was developing), R. Rivera (liked him as a "catch and throw catcher" before they acquired him), Reyes (two-hour talk when he was with Rox AAA team serving his suspension).

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 06:12 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

He asked to be the bench coach. They declined and didn't give him a reason before hiring Dicky Scott.

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 06:17 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Wally says he can't look at matzoh anymore because of how many times Mets passed him over. I added the matzoh part.

A Boy Named Seo Sep 13 2016 06:29 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

"This James Loney guy, you gotta check him out." Thanks for the scoop, G. Post had the same stuff about not hitting Nimmo leadoff and sitting Conforto. Did they ask him about that crap?

Edgy MD Sep 13 2016 06:31 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

G-Fafif wrote: He asked to be the bench coach. They declined and didn't give him a reason before hiring Dicky Scott. There's some mixed reporting on this. In the past, reporters have written that Backman didn't want to be on the staff unless he had the big chair. Other reports had Terry wanting to elevate Backman to the benchy job after Geren left, but being over-ruled by Sandstorm.

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 06:32 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

A Boy Named Seo wrote: "This James Loney guy, you gotta check him out." Thanks for the scoop, G. Post had the same stuff about not hitting Nimmo leadoff and sitting Conforto. Did they ask him about that crap? Says he hit Nimmo first or second almost all the time, couldn't understand why Conforto didn't get same benefit of doubt at MLB level as Granderson. "He's the future...it's a sophomore slump."

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 06:33 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Loves Terry. Less enthusiastic about "the organization".

Lefty Specialist Sep 13 2016 06:36 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

couldn't understand why Conforto didn't get same benefit of doubt at MLB level as Granderson. I can think of 15 million reasons.

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 06:38 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Defended the Las Vegas affiliation, saying being out there gave him a better look at teams and games out west, noted two red eye direct flights to NY get players to Mets just as soon as they would from a smaller city closer. Since he has nothing to gain from boosting Vegas unless he's angling to be a greeter at Caesars, I thought that was interesting.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2016 06:40 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Does Darryl Strawberry still call him "Little Redneck"?

G-Fafif Sep 13 2016 06:52 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Does Darryl Strawberry still call him "Little Redneck"? Does anybody Wally knows get sick 25 times a year?

Edgy MD Sep 13 2016 06:52 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

I'll bust that little redneck in the face. Dave Anderson with the ins and outs of the Mets clubhouse.

Ceetar Sep 13 2016 07:13 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

The nitpicking over fired/quit is dumb. He didn't have a contract and the season was over. He's no more a Mets employee than I am. Though prior to yesterday he probably had a better shot at a being a future Mets employee. If I had to wager on it, I'd say Backman was like "Am I the Mets manager next year? No? Then fuck it all, don't ask me back." It kinda makes sense. Say nice things about the guy who's job you wanted on the way out, but badmouth everyone else. I'd be surprised, no matter what happens, if Terry isn't back now. Also, good. I had no desire to see Backman manage, if they were going to oust Terry and just hand the job off internally, I'd be fine with Teufel. Maybe even prefer him. I don't see what Backman thinks he has to gain here. He could've made his desire to manage known to other teams easily this offseason while still praising the Mets and praising their success as a reason why he's blocked. basically he's all "Collins is a great manager but fuck the Mets for not giving me his job."

Benjamin Grimm Sep 13 2016 07:16 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

I wonder if time has passed Wally by. I could be wrong, but I'd guess that not many managers in the last twenty years have gotten their first big league job after their 56th birthday. I think Terry will be back. It was looking pretty iffy during the summer, but whether the Mets make the playoffs or not, I think the fact that they're in the hunt with 18 games remaining will get him invited back.

d'Kong76 Sep 13 2016 07:41 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Thanks for the play-by-play, G-F... matzoh, passed over.... why we oughta... Ceetar wrote: basically he's all "Collins is a great manager but fuck the Mets for not giving me his job." Boiled down, yup©

Zvon Sep 14 2016 12:18 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

Mike Puma ‏@NYPost_Mets 4m4 minutes ago Sandy Alderson, on Wally Backman's assertion he was "disrespected" by not getting promoted to staff: "That's disrespectful? Yeah, right. OK"

Rockin' Doc Sep 14 2016 12:43 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

Edgy MD wrote: There are still people out there willing to begin sentences with, "If Pete Rose was managing this team ... ." I bet half of them are Trump supporters, too.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 11 2017 01:59 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

Sandy Alderson exporting American jobs to Mexico! Bad! http://www.northjersey.com/story/sports ... /96415678/

Nymr83 Jan 11 2017 04:29 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

I believe Alderson over Backman any day of the week. As someone young enough to have NOT witnessed his playing days and with no fond memories of him i see nothing more than a loudmouthed minor league manager who should have been shown the exit door years ago.

Edgy MD Jan 11 2017 05:30 AM Re: Wally Whack-man

Backman whines that his ex-boss has made him un-hireable, succeeds in making himself appear un-hireable.

Ashie62 Jan 11 2017 07:33 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

I guess Wallt just wore out his welcome and cannot come to blame himself.

Edgy MD May 19 2017 07:50 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

[tweet:3n7fyu48]https://twitter.com/Molinas96/status/865653373021835265[/tweet:3n7fyu48] Roughly translates to: "The Acereros (The Steelers) have fired manager Wally Backman after being swept by Los Tigres (The Tigers) at home." He made it all of 42 games with them.

Edgy MD May 19 2017 08:23 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

Got a fuller report: El Club de Béisbol Acereros del Norte informó la salida del señor, Wally Backman, quien hasta el día de hoy tenía el cargo de Manager del equipo de acero. Mediante un boletín de prensa el club agradecemos su esfuerzo y compromiso brindado a la organización y le deseó lo mejor de los éxitos en su carrera profesional. En los próximos días se anunciará quién será el sucesor de Backman y por el momento será Jorge Loredo quién tome las riendas del equipo. Backman inició esta temporada con los Acereros del Norte dejando un mal sabor de boca entre la afición monclovense que pedían su salida por malos resultados en juegos claves. La última serie contra Tigres de Quintana Roo, jugada en casa, el equipo de acero fue blanqueado llegando a la quinta posición de la zona norte y hoy comienzan la serie contra los Leones de Yucatán, líder de la zona sur. The Steelers of the North baseball club informed Mr. Wally Backman—who until today held the position of the Steelers' manager—of his dismmisal. Through a press release, the club thanked Wally for his effort and commitment to the organization and wished him the best of success in his professional career. In the coming days, it will be announced who Backman's successor will be, and in the meantime, Jorge Loredo will take the reins of the team. Backman started this season with the Steelers of the North leaving a bad taste in the mouth among the Monclova fans, who have been abandoning the team over their poor play in key games. In the last series, played at home against the Tigers of Quintana Roo, the Steeler team was swept, falling to fifth place in the Northern Division, and begin a series today against the Lions of Yucatan, leaders in the Southern Division. A cool thing is that the term they use for getting swept appears to be "getting a bleaching."

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 19 2017 08:29 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

"whitewash" was a term used back in the 19th century

cooby May 19 2017 08:42 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

I like the line 'bad taste in their mouth' like they actually vomited when he was there in the spring

Ashie62 May 19 2017 08:46 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

So, Wally is available?

cooby May 19 2017 08:53 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

I hope that's not what the Mets press conference is about

batmagadanleadoff May 19 2017 11:14 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

I think that "blanqueado", in that context, simply means to get "blanked" or shut-out, and that there's no reference to bleach.

Edgy MD May 19 2017 11:20 PM Re: Wally Whack-man

I think you're right. I got the idea that that the story meant that the team had just gotten swept, but maybe they got shut out in the last game. My Spanish comes and goes.