Sep
15
Wally Backman Dodges Questions Regarding Managerial Future
By
The days for incumbent manager Jerry Manuel appear to be numbered, and a few replacement names have started to pop up. Possible candidate include Bob Melvin, Terry Collins and Bobby Valentine. Wally Backman’s name has started to generate some buzz lately too. David Satriano of the New York Post says that Backman has been dodging questions about the possibility of taking over the Major League club.
“I’m not worried about any of that stuff right now,” the former Met Backman said. “That’s not my concern. Our season has ended. It’s so early. The season just ended tonight. It’s time to go home and be with the family. What comes around is going to come around.”
Backman does not have any Major League managing experience, and that could be a big negative especially for a high profile position such as the New York gig. Backman did have the Arizona Diamondbacks’ managerial job in 2004, but his financial and legal history came up and he was fired after four days.
Backman’s future is really up to the Mets. He’s not sure if the team wants him back even in the Minor Leagues, but if he had his chance, he would.
“I think I’ll come back,” he said. “I always come back to New York every year for something. Will I miss it? Yeah, I love living right in Brooklyn. The people were great to me. I had a great time here. I hope I come back.”
