No Doubt About it, Mets Need Backman & Towers
This entry was posted on September 2nd, 2010 @ 3:04 pm by Jed Weisberger.
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Let’s not belabor the matter. The Mets, 66-68 entering Wednesday night’s game in Atlanta, are done.
Many good men tried. Many good men failed. Not just on the field, but in the front office as well.
Omar Minaya is a great guy, but certainly less than that as general manager. He’s good at discovering talent. Make that his responsibility.
Jerry Manuel is a great guy, but certainly less than that as a manager. He’s good at scouting. Make that his responsibility.
With whom do you replace these two? Wally Backman is the right choice as manager. Kevin Towers would be superb as general manager.
Let’s talk about Backman first. I’ve spent time watching him with the Brooklyn Cyclones this summer. His team is easily the best in the New York-Penn League with a 48-23 record, having already clinched the McNamara Division title.
OK, so Backman is winning with a Short-Season Class-A team. Brooklyn’s record is just part of this. I want him because of how he relates to his players.
We’ll focus on outfielder Darrell Ceciliani, a 20-year-old having a marvelous season in the NYPL. He’s hitting a league-leading .347 (93-for-268) with 21 stolen bases. His outfield play has improved as the season has matured.
Unless you follow Brooklyn, you don’t know Ceciliani. I seriously see him as a future Mets leadoff or second-place hitter. What does he think of Backman.
“Wally has been a major help to me,’’ said Ceciliani, an NYPL All-Star. “He works with you, brings out your strengths and puts you in situations where you can succeed.’’
Ceciliani, partially bothered by a hand injury, scuffled mightily at Kingsport (Tenn.) of the Appalachian League in 2009, hitting just .234 (37-for-158) in 42 games. This year, healthy and under Backman’s tutelage, he’s turned it around.
“Give Darrell the credit for making himself so much better,’’ said Backman.
When was the last time you heard a Mets player credit a manager like that? When was the last time a manager in turn credited a player? Don’t dismiss this because we’re talking about the NYPL here. This is what builds winning baseball.
Backman has conquered a lot just to get to Brooklyn. He’s effective. He knows how to win. He’s great with young players. He’s an excellent in-game strategist. He’ll bring excitement to the Mets.
Do the smart thing, Fred and Jeff. Bring him to Queens. Backman will turn your club around faster than anyone else.
Now we’ll discuss Towers, who helped direct San Diego to four division titles and the 1998 World Series during his 1995-2009 tenure. He has been working as a special assignment scout with the Yankees this season.
He has a keen eye for talent. Working with the other good people in the Mets’ development operation, he would right the ship, make some key trades (the Mets actually have some chips) and put the house in order.
Of the candidates out there , Towers, to me, is easily the best fit for the Mets.

