During the same day the Mets announced Wally Backman as the next Brooklyn Cyclones manager his former platoon mate, Tim Teufel, was tabbed to skipper the Binghamton Mets. Besides this being the organizations worst kept secret it reminded me of how both Teufel and Backman use to be the center of fan debate over who should be given the chance to play every day. Who knows, the next debate may be discussing who is the best choice to take over the Mets managerial position.

It would have been hard to give Backman the everyday job considering he was a career .166 hitter right-handed as opposed to Teufel who hit .267. From what I remember the debate started after Teufel had a huge 1987 season (.943 OPS). That was the year which many accused the league of implementing a new “juiced” ball. Regardless I doubt Teufel could have sustained that level of offense over the course of 600 AB’s, but you could argue for him at least getting a full season of at bats. On a lesser team he probably would.

The truth of the matter is they complemented each other well. Teufel hit left handed pitching and had nice pop in his bat. Backman was more of a table setter, speed, and glove guy. Looking back instead of the fans arguing about why “their guy” should start perhaps they should have appreciated the combo together. I am sure most do if you asked them today.

Yesterday I called Backman the #1 pick of managers. You all know how I feel about him. A few weeks earlier Jed Weisberger of MILB.com wrote about how Teufel has been instrumental in helping many Mets prospects this decade-  including Josh Thole. These are the type of player development people the Mets need to rebuild the farm system.

Is it crazy to talk about either as manager of the big club? I think we very well could be having this discussion sooner rather than later. Backman, although not campaigning for the Mets job, expressed his desire at the press conference yesterday to manage in the big leagues. Although Teufel hasn’t been quite as public with that desire you would have to assume getting back to the big leagues in a coaching capacity is the motivation behind all the three hour bus rides.

Maybe both will be back in New York. How about Backman as the skipper and Teufel the bench coach? Just like their production at second base for New York they might be the perfect combo to lead the Mets to another title.

Tags: Binghamton Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Mets Managerial Position, New York Mets, Tim Teufel, Wally Backman